If an immigrant comes to this country illegally, but otherwise works, doesn't leach off welfare, obeys all other laws, and is essentially a model citizen... really, their only offense was 'cutting in line'.
Of course any illegal who behaves badly in this country (DUI, theft, assualt, etc) should be imprisoned, and then unceremoneously kicked out.
But for a well behaved person; perhaps we should just take them back to the border, and allow them to apply for legitimate status, with no prejudice towards their previous illegal status. Sort of a no-harm-no-foul?
What do you think?
2007-11-12 07:43:01 · 11 answers · asked by lmn78744 7 in Politics & Government ➔ Immigration
Rational enforcement. 'Deport them all' isn't practical, and the only legitimate 'pathway' to citizenship starts with legal residency, not Amnesty.
Rational enforcement would include some deportation, but would be focused more on punishing those employers who exploit illegals, removing the incentive for most illegals to stay (or come in the first place).
Any sort of Amnesty, however sympathetic those it's intended for might be, would only /increase/ illegal immigration, by rewarding it, rather than punishing it.
2007-11-12 07:52:30 · answer #1 · answered by B.Kevorkian 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Here is an analogy for you.
SCENARIO ONE: A person enters the US without a visa. This person came to the US because their family is starving back home and there is absolutely NO opportunity to improve their life in their own country. They never ask for a handout, never commit a crime (a REAL crime like DUI, theft, assault, etc), the work hard, and pay taxes. In short, they are a model (NON)citizen.
SCENARIO TWO: I am driving home after working all night at my office. I get a call from home and find out that there is an emergency and I have to get there as quickly as possible. There is no traffic, so I step on the gas and really speed all the way home. I don't have an accident. I don't get caught, but I do get home in time to prevent the emergency from being more life-threatening.
In both scenarios, a law is broken. Am I a criminal for speeding? Who among you who read this could honestly say you would not speed in a situation like scenario 2? Entering the US without permission is the same degree of 'crime' as speeding. It is an administrative violation. There IS one important difference -- the speeding violation is DEFINITELY punished (as probably everyone reading this has personal experience with). That is, I would be charged with speeding if I got caught. A person who enters the US without permission will not get charged with the offense of entering without permission (which is the same kind of misdemeanor you would get for speeding, by the way). They will be referred immediately to those who handle deportation. A judge or a deportation officer (depending on if they are from Mexico) will decide what will happen with them.
What are the similarities -- there is no harm and no foul in either scenario. The person in both scenarios is doing it because it is a life or death situation for them. The level of 'offense' is the same. I don't think ANY rational person would consider the person in the second scenario to be a criminal. Why then, do you think the one in the first scenario is?
It is fascinating that everyone proposes that the simple solution is that the 'illegals' simply do it the legal way. That they just go back and get in line and do it the right way. Here's the problem -- THERE IS NO WAY FOR THEM TO COME LEGALLY. THEY DO NOT QUALIFY! This is the reason Congress has been trying to pass immigration reform -- to enable more people to qualify to come legally.
And to the person who said amnesty is not a solution -- make the people apply for residency. What are you trying to say? Amnesty is a vehicle through which a person becomes a permanent resident!
How can people have such strong opinions about issues they truly are not educated about? How many immigrants do any of you know? How many REAL immigrant stories do you actually know? I mean REAL stories from REAL people, not just snippets from the news?
Get informed and speak from an informed position instead of whining about things you aren't actually informed about.
2007-11-12 16:23:02 · answer #2 · answered by Jenny C 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I just have to stand up and APPLAUD Jenny C!
The opinions I read here are SO uninformed, and unrealistic. I don't want a bumpersticker ('deport em all now'), I want a realistic, workable --inexpensive-- solution. Have you read up on this border fence? Read about how they're going to take the real property of American citizens away to build it (and how many of you really think it is going to work any differently than the walls we've already had?). Would YOU be willing to have your backyard abut this thing?
You can't just tell people to 'apply legally'. As Jenny said, there is NO WAY IN for them. For generations, the US has been allowing this back and forth over the border without penalty.. of course it seems normal to those who do it!
How do you expect to change people's behavior when this has been a normal, accepted, (gasp) even encouraged form of coming to the US?
The well-behaved live among us and none of you would ever know who is legal and not legal.. not in my town I'd betcha.
2007-11-12 20:54:19 · answer #3 · answered by BeenThereDoneThat 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Deport all illegal aliens. Do citizens get off so easily when they commit a crime? I'm not tolerant of no harm, no foul. We have laws concerning this issue, and they should be enforced to the letter. Get deported, well, sorry, wait out the 10 years and come back legally. No cutting in line.
2007-11-12 15:51:08 · answer #4 · answered by Gretl 6 · 5⤊ 1⤋
The only "screening" illegals go through to come to the U.S. is this simple test:
Are you both willing and able to make a nation fit to live in? No. Then, by all means, come on in.
If they had a fraction of this oft-hyped determination for a better life, they had every chance afforded those who built the U.S. into what it is.
...
2007-11-12 16:14:48 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
even at current legal immigration rates this country will no longer be a first world nation by the end of this century, I say close our borders to all but the best immigrants. Face it, we have enough immigrants as is.
2007-11-12 16:48:38 · answer #6 · answered by Cody C 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think those who came here illegal and even without getting in trouble, should have to return home and apply. The law was already broken upon crossing the border. Also, without doing this, we cannot begin to prove to illegals that we mean business and that laws are now going to be seriously enforced.
So, in other words, everyone should have to return home first. Those with no backgrounds can apply, those with criminal backgrounds won't stand a chance.
2007-11-12 15:49:10 · answer #7 · answered by Workcompguru31 4 · 7⤊ 1⤋
"Cutting in line" is a very big offense as far as I'm concerned.It is totally unfair to those who are trying to come legally.The illegals need to be deported.
2007-11-12 16:20:08 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Yes I would agree if they obey our laws and live the way we live in this country. We are Americans and we speak the English language. They come here and boo hoo about how we owe them. Hell I live in this country and cant get help to help my little's one dead beat to pay child support and you want me to support someone else who wants a free handout. I say go back where your from and stay there.
2007-11-12 15:53:16 · answer #9 · answered by WhAtEvEr....... 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
There may be if we have some room to think! First, deport them all.
2007-11-12 16:03:00 · answer #10 · answered by subprimelendor 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋