How Would You Tackle Illegal Immigration?

open the borders, force rich south americans and mexicans to do without cheap labor and make better wages at hiome, bad ecomomy here. no jobs, no immagrants.

Sent by Barbara F. Hildebrand | 8:37 AM ET | 09-07-2008

I live in a medium-sized town in North Carolina. There are large numbers of families here who have immigrated from Mexico and Central America. They are human beings. They deserve to live in a safe place and to be able to feed their families. We should put ourselves in their situation -- wouldn't YOU do anything necessary in order to support your family? The Spanish-speaking families in our community are some of the hardest-working people I know. This is America. We need to help these people. They are our neighbors.

Sent by Shelly White | 8:38 AM ET | 09-07-2008

Regardless of what should be done, I resent Tom Russell's statement that many illegal immigrants are here "doing jobs that Americans won't do." I hear that a lot. I think we're some of the hardest working people in the world, and I'm tired to hearing that we're lazy. Maybe we won't do hard labor for pennies an hour -- but maybe that's a problem of the companies exploiting illegal immigrants for that inappropriate price, and not the Americans refusing to participate in that sham.

Sent by Cat Morgan | 8:38 AM ET | 09-07-2008

Offer children of immigrants the opportunity to gain citizenship for themselves and or relatives based on graduating from high school and educational success.

Sent by David Boyd | 8:42 AM ET | 09-07-2008

Thank you for this story. I loved the Tom Russell song. I'm not a fan but I want to buy his CD. The argument that they are illegal is so thin. We have always done what we thought what right for people -slavery would still exist if good people didn't break the law. I live in the midwest. This country has lots more land - amazing amounts of land. Diversity is what makes us great and will keep us competitive. Fear and hatred is what will push us back from being the greatest country in the world.

Sent by Felicia Correia | 8:42 AM ET | 09-07-2008

I am sick of the sob stories and always the children, the children, the children. Illegal immigrants know that when they cross our border illegally they are breaking the law and then they cry about it when they get caught. I am not heartless and I do not know what I would do were I in their shoes, but I do not believe anyone who comes here and has a baby should be allowed to stay for that reason. We have so many other people from other countries that want to come to the U.S. and all legal immigrants should be welcomed.

Sent by Raine Davies | 8:59 AM ET | 09-07-2008

I think we should send back all Europeans and start over. Let the Native Americans decide who comes over. Other native americans (mexican immigrants)or europeans. Also is anyone checking on the illegal Norwigians(sp), Swedes or Germans?

Sent by Jeri | 9:08 AM ET | 09-07-2008

Well, the laws are on the books and they should be enforced by the federal, state and local governments wherever illegal immigration laws are being violated and they should be deported to their home country without delay, period! Prosecuting employers that knowingly employ illegal immigrants should be a high priority to discourage illegal immigration into the United States.
I shutter to imagine what would happen to me if I were caught down in Mexico or a Central American country without the proper passport and visa documentation!
The Pro-immigration and amnesty people will never make the case to me that you can come here illegally and all is forgiven! My great-grandparents came here from Europe in the mid-1840's and stood in line like many before them to immigrate here legally. It's a slap in the face to those who came to this country and did it legally

Sent by Bob | 9:08 AM ET | 09-07-2008

To really understand this complicated problem and how it's being exploited, read Let Them In: the Case for Open Borders, by Jason Riley. He refutes the myths and misinformation surrounding immigration with hard facts.

Sent by Marion Pierce | 9:14 AM ET | 09-07-2008

The term "illegal immigrant" should be stricken from the mouths of professional journalists. It is pejorative, slanted and biased. The correct term should be "undocumented immigrant". The act of crossing a border without documents is in most cases a misdemeanor at the time of crossing, (like rolling through a stop sign), a crime for which normally one cannot be arrested later. Why do NPR reporters uncritically use this term in their reporting. Can we please leave the immigrant hate baiting for news outlets with known racism against people of color, scapegoated under the anti-terrorism fervor stirred up by 9/11. Stephen Bartlett, Louisville, Kentucky

Sent by Stephen Bartlett | 9:16 AM ET | 09-07-2008

Only those who believe that increasing the population in the US is in the pubic interest support opening our borders. When 40% of Mexicans would move to the US if given the chance, open border serve only the interests of the corporations.

Sent by Don Thompson | 10:37 AM ET | 09-07-2008

The government is going after the "small person". The illegal immigrant has no defenses or resources. If U.S. companies in their native lands would pay people more than a minimum wage, they might stay home and not want to leave their families, and their land.

They come to the U.S. for a better life. Gosh, do they find it!!! Working for Con-Agra, the chicken processing plants in the Carolinas, doing the dirty, God-awful work that we as U.S. citizens don't want to do.

So, why doesn't the U.S. government go after the companies that hire them in the first place. Please leave the small person alone.

Sent by Christine Finnegan | 10:41 AM ET | 09-07-2008

Anyone who wishes to understand some of the reasons behind mexican immigration to the US should watch "Under the Same Moon"
(http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0796307/)

Sent by Regina | 10:44 AM ET | 09-07-2008

This opinion actually came from my brother but resonated with me. The resources of this land should be shared, not hoarded. Most of us live here due to immigration by our ancestors. Why should we deny other people the opporntunity to do the same? We are citizens of the world, not just our country.

Sent by Lula Palmer | 10:44 AM ET | 09-07-2008

Regarding the Tom Russell song:

This is more of the same simpleminded pro-immigratnt rhetoric. "Who's going to mow your lawn... who's going to build your wall."

The notion that Americans's don't want to do physical labor is just plain wrong. Not true. My family, and many others, take pride in their labors. You honestly can't tell me that Americans don't want to do construction, or mop floors, or make food, or milk cows.

The plain fact is that Americans need jobs. As sad as it may be for the illegal immigrants, we have a duty to Americans first. We are not the world's. If we want to acknowledge the suffering in the world, let's not fool ourselves by thinking that opening our gates is any solution.

To not deal with the problem of illiegal immigration is an apathetic response, to both the immigration issue and an the problem of suffering. Better to give up your high living, your Whole-foods decadence and your Ford 250.

Sent by Eric | 11:01 AM ET | 09-07-2008

No one who is tolerant of illegal immigration should ever use the word 'sustainable' in any context anymore. What system-education, health care, housing, food-is stable? None. Now add 20 million illegals and more tomorrow, who will soon be 30 million.
It will comfort some to know it is all too late, they are here to stay and breed as if in a race to fill the planet.
It shouldn't comfort anyone to know that everything will collapse in catastrophe, even the rich (who benefit most from the immigration) won't escape. Small comfort.

Sent by truthy | 11:14 AM ET | 09-07-2008

Who will etc... The legal aliens,the people who dont break THE LAWS of our country. Everyone should obey the law even this one. Stand in line like our grandparents did on ellis island.

Sent by Ron | 11:21 AM ET | 09-07-2008

I'm very torn on this issue. Both sides make sense and have valid arguements. The amnesty solution did not make a difference last time, so unless we change something, it doesn't make sense to do it again. Using law to continually throw people out doesn't make sense either. Kind of like trying to stop flooding. I think of the Berlin wall. Equalizing the pressure and finding a way to help Mexico stay more attractive to it's own people would help, but how to do that in a way that is not utterly taxing to us? I don't have a good solution and I think all of them have overwhelming problems. I imagine it is why we haven't seen any action on this issue

Sent by Heidi | 11:38 AM ET | 09-07-2008

This is a complex and emotional subject. My view over the last twenty five years has changed 180 degrees. My wife of twenty four years did not have her papers when we met. She was here on an expired visa. I was much more tolerant of illegals in my youth; I did not fully grasp the implications of this untenable policy.
My primary concern is outright population growth. In my youth we had 250 million people in the U.S. Now it is slightly more than 300 million. I cannot believe how many more cars there are one the road, and how much more strain there is on our environment for energy and more importantly water. The population of the U.S. is stable at 300 million if you factor out immigration and illegal immigration. Our projected growth by the census dept is that we are going to have 400 million people here in thirty years. These estimates are conservative and are likely to go up. We represent 5 percent of the worlds population and consume 25 percent of the worlds resources. To maintain the same standard of livinng we would have to consume 31 percent of the worlds resources. That is not going to happen, particularly with the increasing demand from China and India. That will force a decline in the standard of living here in the US. I do not want that for my children and grandchildren.
Who benefits from illegal workers? Illegal employers. Who suffers? American workers. The argument for Illegal aliens takes two forms, We need to be compassionate, and the economy needs them. I want to be compassionate, I am considered a bleeding heart liberal. We must ask however compassion for whom? A surplus in labor keeps wages for the undereducated and less talented low. Barbara Jordan another good liberal, headed a commitiee that recommended we only allow people with education and unique talents to immigrate to this country. She understood, that allowing poor uneducated workers into this country was a drain on society. It keeps our poor people poor, and allows business to exploit workers. I choose to be compassionate to our working poor, we don't need more working poor from distressed societies.
The last argument is for the economy. I submit business that hire undocumented workers do not pay the true economic costs of hiring illegal aliens. The average illegal aliens has a equivalent of a 4th grade education. They pay $10,000 in taxes and use $30,000 in social services. The American tax payer is subsidizing that business $20,000 per person. That does not even address the social and psychological cost of dealing with people that have effectively lived her their whole lives but are not citizens and want to stay and cannot pay for college and are not eligible for any assistance. If we give them assistance they are taking resources away from America's poor and increased the burden to society. Hiring undocumented workers would be less appealing if a employer had to bear the true cost.
I don't know what to do about the people who are here. We must stop the inflow of people. I suspect the correct approach is to go after illegal employers. They are the true criminals. As business dominate Washington thru lobbyists and campaign contribution we go after the worker instead. If we shifted that focus, I suspect many workers will leave of their own accord when they cannot work here. I would entertain citizenship for those who love American ideals and choose to stay regardless of the economic circumstances. They must prove to society that they are here for the culture and ideals and not just a job.

Sent by Robert Bray | 11:50 AM ET | 09-07-2008

People come to this country to work, in pursuit for a decent life. This has been going around for many years, and even centuries! This country, which I love dearly, and the immigrants coming here have both benefited from this tendency.
National security has been used in the same sentence many times when some people make their argument against immigrants, but it is not understandable how the people that work the jobs that nobody wants can be consider a national threat. Seriousrly, I see no threat on the individual who make a living working back in the kitchen cooking or cleaning dishes, or the guy who works on construction, on the back yard, cleaning streets after a festival or sport event and so on. It is true that they broke the law, but the law was already broken in the first place. We need to stop the raids now and fix the law, and see immigrants as what they are, human beings working to bring food to their tables. To fix this, we need to be comprehensible not only to them, but also to ourselves. Let us not forget that because in the past we needed their work like we need it today, nothing was done to fix the border. Instead, a need was filled with the hard work of immigrants who were not denied a job opportunity. From this, mutual benefit was produced. United we can continue to make this great nation the fine nation it has been and will continue to be, rooted from the great immigrants who founded this country we all love.

Sent by Josue | 12:32 PM ET | 09-07-2008

Mexico is a wealthy and diverse country, yet in 2008, their government still only educates a small fraction of its population.
As an ELL teacher, I teach students from all over the world. The Mexicans are by far the least educated.
I believe we could pressure the Mexican government into providing opportunities for their citizens. We do this elsewhere, but the truth is that we need their labor here. So we present a double standard; speaking with forked tongues,so to speak.
In January I am going to Mexico to teach basic litercy skills to locals, teach English to the teachers, teach Spanish to Americans and find a base to do so for the long haul.
I want to promote literacy there so that they have opportunities at home.
Thirty five years ago I left Colorado and went to Mexico looking for adventure. I stayed for twenty years. I married and had three children.
Luis Gerardo Herrera was assasinated by the PRIistas on June 4, 1991 and I returned to Colorado on the 14th July, 1992 with my kids.
One million pesos became $300 dollars.
I love Mexico, their grand history, their people and we need to come together to share the bounty and possibilities. Love each other or die

Sent by Joanna Rodden | 12:37 PM ET | 09-07-2008

According to these arguments, what it takes to be "legal" in a country is to annihilate the former residents and set up an arbitrary group of laws based on who has the most land / guns. Fantastic! What a great idea!

All of this is symptomatic of a larger issue. The more we create "us" and "them" and not a global structure for surviving on this planet, the closer we get to complete collapse.

Sent by t.f. | 12:44 PM ET | 09-07-2008

What often gets implied but rarely stated in the immigration debate is the way our economy is changing. More and more employment is being pushed into a less formal economy - fewer benefits, low wages, contingent and day labor, etc., and employers are not held accountable to existing labor laws that haven't kept pace with this changing economy.

While some of these jobs could be held by American workers, Americans ought to be more concerned by the jobs that this changing economy is creating. Immigrant workers are being exploited, but so are a wide range of workers across the low wage labor market.

My faith compels me stand in support of immigrants, regardless of their status, and to be critical of an economy that views workers as expendable.

To reform immigration, fist reform and enforce our labor laws and legalize undocumented workers so that some workers can't be pitted against others, and then honor the best of our nation's heritage and increase legal immigration that emphasizes family and employment connections.

Sent by Rich Stolz | 12:44 PM ET | 09-07-2008

I am a builder and I ONLY hire people from south of the border anymore. I used to be able to hire American boys but anymore they don't seem to want to work. I pay my men well and pay bonuses for jobs well done and so they work enthusiastically. I have not known individuals more sincere and earnest in over 20 years. I employed one young man who walked all the way here from El Salvador to provide support for his sister so that she might finish high school. He lived in a one car garage, slept on a stack of pallets and payed rent for it. It was that important to him. I have employed countless men, young and old who have left their homes and families to obtain a better life for their loved ones. Imagine, if you can,you reading this, yes YOU, needing to leave your family, your wife and sons and daughters, in order to provide a better life for them. Imagine facing the necessity to move to a country where you do not speak the language in the hopes of providing a better life for your family. Imagine having no choice. My mother's parents were Italian immigrants and no, they didn't speak English all that well but they worked their hearts out and provided for their children which, in turn, provided for me. I was blessed, as were you all. You largely seem to have forgotten your roots. One of my employees has two children who were born here. I asked my attorney who specializes in immigration how I could get my helper and his wife legal since their two sons were naturalized citizens and I was told that if I tried to do that the parents would be sent back to Mexico and the children put into foster care... And this from "Christians".. family values?.. in a pigs eye.... and so they continue to live "under the radar". And so, my helper continues to build your homes and his wife continues to clean your homes. They are no different than the Irish, the Italian, the German, the Polish or any other nationality that has emigrated here in the hopes of making a better life for their loved ones with the exception of the fact that our government has made it impossible for these new immigrants to obtain legal status here. Your grandparents faced no such obstacles. I refer those of you who take exception to my point of view to Corinthians 13.

Sent by Bruce D eLaney | 12:49 PM ET | 09-07-2008

My Austrian grandfather was probably illegal; most likely he jumped ship around 1900. My proposal: 1) create a guest worker program with no restrictions, 2) rescind automatic citizenship for children of guests who are born here, 3) provide qualified amnesty for people who have made substantial and productive lives here for many years, who have bought homes and added to the GNP, 4) tighten deportation for guests who commit a crime, 5) legalize and control drugs (same as alcohol) to remove profit and incentive from all drug cartels, along with the motivation to traffic in human beings.

Sent by stephanie taylor | 12:50 PM ET | 09-07-2008

This is an outstanding analysis of some issues that underlie the immigration debate. Americans should be protected from terrorism and harmful illegal activity. However, we squander our limited law enforcement resources when we focus them on tracking and arresting immigrant parents who undertake enormous risk and privation in order to support their families. Thanks to Tom Russell for making it clear where common sense lies.

Sent by Susan Bowyer | 12:54 PM ET | 09-07-2008

In my opinion, there is no such entity as an "illegal immigrant" or "alient." "American History" did not begin and end with Columbus. For millennia, many groups of organized and sophisticated peoples lived in this country. We will not argue over whether or not they were "civilized," "warlike," "enslaved other groups," etc. No matter what the imperfections of ancient societies were, we need to admit that several generations appeared, quite uninvited, to this continent, stole it from its inhabitors, and now decree that their own continent is not theirs. Why do so many people picture peripatetic Europeans as normative "Americans?" The Rio Grande, which some consider a border between two countries, was once much less wide. It was widened, at the request of the Federal Government, by the Army Corps of Engineers. So-called "aliens," do not depress US wages. That can only happen when employers have access to labor forced to accept minimal wages because that labor is under threat of deportation. A recent NPR program described a raid on an organization which removed approximately 600 undocumented workers. Do the remaining employees now believe their wages will rise? Thank about it. Will their employer now increase their pay because only "legal workers" are present?
Most people tend to aim for the target that's closest; not necessarily the one that's effective. In this case, we can do little to keep corporate employers from exporting jobs to other countries. This is where the real threat to labor comes, and all of these overseas folks are perfectly legal. They didn't have to move to jobs--the jobs moved to them. The nearest target is those people who are geographically proximate who are looking for a better way of life. Remember, these people are the original inhabitants of this land--we are the folks who came to dinner and refused to leave. Let's make use of the undeveloped talent available all over North America.

Sent by Beverly Cooper-Wiele | 1:05 PM ET | 09-07-2008

I live in Colorado, in a town that is over 50% Mexican or Central American citizens (probably most are in the country illegally). This is a very difficult issue. On the one hand, they are very hard workers, our job market is very tight (not enough workers for the jobs available) and most of our lower to middle level service and trades are filled by people from these countries, illegal or not. On the other hand, I see the strains on our schools, our emergency rooms, our roads (many don't know how to drive safely in snow and ice, and there is a horrible proliferation of DUI's and drunk driving by this population). My main concern is the overpopulation of our planet and our county. Many of these immigrants have 3+ children while in the US, and the pressure on our resources and our infrastructure is intense. I personally am friends with some of these immigrants and find them to be good, hardworking, and hopeful people. I am torn when I say this, but we must find a solution. I think #1 employers of illegal immigrants should be the first targeted, #2 children born in the US should not be awarded automatic citizenship, #3 our country should invest more in helping Mexico & Central America find ways to keep their people in their own country with microcredit and better education. As for the people who are here, perhaps some sort of test or standards for language and skills? It is complicated but we must address this together and not inhumanely and inconsistently as we are currently.

Sent by Harmony Scott | 1:15 PM ET | 09-07-2008

When I immigrated, legally, I was already an Electronics Engineer with several years work experiece. I spoke pretty good English, besides my native language, some German and some French. It took me two years of incredible hassle, $5000 to an American immigration lawyer, two years of mostly lost income, expenses (like finding my grades from Public scool 25 years earlier and having verified translations made, all for people at the Immigration Department and Dept. Of Labour, who never have had a class of Physics or Chemistry), travel across my country to visit the Amercican Embassy for an interview to verify that I was a sound person who could speak reasonably good English. I had to submit , and pass, a medical exam with a MD approved by the Embassy.

Once here in CA I have seen the development of a flood wave of illegally residing freigners, with no education, no skills, who speaks no English, invading all social offices, being catered to in Spanish.

Where did they go, the rules for legal immigration to the United States of America? Why do they not want educated people anymore? Especially with our totally bancrupt schools, where even the illegal immigrants probably know more math and physics than the average American drop-out.

I feel that I could write a book about this, but will stop here.

By the way, that guitar-guy you had was lousy! Why do you always have to dig up some liberal aberration? You had JOan Bayez on the same morning. You could just have asked her about her opinion of illegal immigration. At least, she can sing.

Sent by Carl | 1:41 PM ET | 09-07-2008

My daughter is married to a Mexican illegal. When this all started they hired an attorney and tried to do the right thing. They are home owners, have a 2 yr old baby. My son in law is the most honest, hard working , best husband and father. In April he had to go back to Mexico. We were told he would be there a month or 2 at most. Here it is September and now he doesn't know if or when he can come home. This has created a financial hardship for my daughter and her child. Not to mention the fact that the baby, at a most crucial time in her young life is deprived of her father and my daughter of her husband. Even if my son in law was not Hispanic I would oppose this immigration . It destroys lives and tears apart families. It is wrong.

Sent by Cindy | 1:43 PM ET | 09-07-2008

I beg to differ with the comments of the songwriter. This country pays B$ to ensure that healthy babies are born to illegal aliens, to educate children of illegal aliens and to provide healthcare for the children of illegal aliens. And then in the related sanctuary story; the girl that had been here for 5 years sending her children to school for free still needs an interpreter?! I am tired of paying for the needs of illegals while there are so many needs for our own citizens. I do not offer solutions for the problem, let the politicians do that, but I do believe in supporting Americans first, whether by birth or naturalization.

Sent by Sue | 3:24 PM ET | 09-07-2008

Your daughter could always keep the family together if she joined her husband in Mexico until his papers are clear. That way the baby would not miss its parents. How can your son in law be so honest, as you say, if he breaks a very clear and well know law supposed to regulate the immigration to the U.S? And what does it have to do with him being "hard working"? If I am hard working, can I drive drunk, have illegal weapons, rob banks, seduce minors? Or is the hard work only an immunization against violating immigration laws? Besides, you daughter knew who she married. Now: see her moving to his old and her new homeland!

Sent by Carl | 3:31 PM ET | 09-07-2008

President needs to announce no more illegal immigrents. One month to leave America and return to home nation or be arrested, put into prison to be trained as cordon forces and attack forces for 3 years. Sent to jump school then used in the war against terrorist. All who hire illegals and harbor them they too will be arrested and be a part of the new draft to be dropped up in the rocks against the jihadists.

Sent by troop emonds | 4:37 PM ET | 09-07-2008

I see many comments here, both for and against, immigration. Both have solid foundation, on one side the notion of assisting our fellow human beings across the border, and on the other the recognition that the process of law means something and is sacred and that America has a duty to tis citizens first.

Perhaps the real issue here is whether we want to act nationally or "supra-nationally".

No one, at least on this forum, denies that the illegal immigrants are people, individuals. Many of them have tragic stories, ones perhaps we can relate to through our relatives. But it is a flaw of logic to say that what was done yesterday should apply today. Perhaps now we are facing a new situation, different needs and problems facing citizens and country. It is certainly a fallcy to think that we could forever keep our doors open, at least without a grave sacrafice of our standard of living. Keep the doors open long enough and perhaps one day Americans will be immigarting to Mexico.

The question then is, are we going to willingly give up our standard of living, or are we going to allow it to be forced upon us through unregulated immigration, or are we going to stop it and say that there is a benefit keeping a higher standard of living. This really s the choice, and it seems to me the answer is not obvious.

Sent by eric | 4:55 PM ET | 09-07-2008

I think I'll run up to Canada and demand a job and access to their free health care system. I can't afford health care down here so they should feel sorry for me and take me in.

After reading some comments here, one gets the idea that the bleeding hearts think the US should be educating every child in the third world and giving jobs to every adult in the third world.

The Bush admin is just trying to force action on immigration reform with their half-hearted efforts at enforcement. The truth is that any the Latino community will be in the majority pretty soon and the politicians want to get their vote. The republicans can't be seen as too harsh.

What angers me is that guest workers and illegal immigrants hurt the US working class by depressing wages. The laws of supply and demand are not suspended when 12 million illegals and guest workers flood the job market. According to the Wall Street Journal, during the housing BOOM when home prices went through the roof and demand for workers was greatest, wages for construction labor was falling due to the influx of immigrant labor.

Outside of the agri business, these immigrants hurt the poorest of working-class US citizens. The business community is interested in only one thing--cheap labor that they can exploit.

I have competed for construction jobs with illegal immigrants. I have competed for jobs with guest workers. I have seen working-class wages in many industries remain depressed for 20 years. The government doesn't promise me a high paying job; it shouldn't promise the business community access to cheap labor just because the business community doesn't wish to compete for US labor in the US labor marketplace. Who is standing up for the working class? None. The democrats and republicans have left them screwed.

IMO, those who are here illegally should be given a legal work status until they leave the US because we aren't going to send 12 million people back home and a legal status gives the workers the ability to demand better pay and working conditions (review the abuse at the Kosher meat packing plant). This would help working-class US citizens more than any other plan. Additionally, any guest worker should have the ability to move to a different employer if a better offer comes along.

Additionally, the business owners that hired illegal workers should pay back taxes and fines---the immigrants should not. Our govt knowingly looked the other way as 12 million illegals overstayed visas or crossed the border and took jobs. They encouraged the immigrants to come on over by their lack of action to punish them and the handout of social services, schooling, citizenship for their children, etc. Of course they came--who wouldn't leave 3rd-world conditions for a life in the USA?

1) Punish the business owners who hire illegals.
2) Legalize the illegals currently here who haven't committed additional crimes beyond those needed to earn a respectable living.
3) Kill off the guest worker program for all but critical industries (agri business) and force employers to offer wages above the prevailing wage before they can ask for immigrant labor.
5) Make it harder to overstay a visa or cross into the USA illegally.
6) Make it impossible to hire any person without a secure ID issued by the state and without passing the federal employment database.
7) Make employment laws easier to enforce and enforce them.

Sent by Chuck Hardman | 5:22 PM ET | 09-07-2008

"Illegal immigrant" Vs "Undocumented worker/immigrant."

It seems to me that the terms "illegal" and "undocumented" are both correct, depending on the context. If we're talking about issues having to do with the criminality of this type of immigration, say prison sentences, enforcement, due process, etc., then the term "illegal" is appropriate. If we are talking about this form of immigration outside the legal context, say if we're talking about historical migration patterns or the impact of such immigrants on social services, then the term "undocumented" seems more accurate.

I do have some concern about referring to people by the crimes they commit. Are "Illegal Immigrants" most fundamentally "illegal" or are they most fundamentally human? However, I have to concede that we refer to people by the crimes they commit all the time. We call them murderers, rapists, tax evaders, shop lifters, etc. This really isn't all that different. So I'm back to where I started which is that both terms are appropriate depending on the context.

This is far more than mere semantics. Both sides of the debate confuse the issues (to some extent on purpose) by demanding that one term be used over the other all of the time. Take for example, the discussion regarding whether we should change immigration law to allow guest worker programs and such. The fact that the workers who would participate in such programs are breaking the law, as the law is currently written, has nothing to do with whether we should change the law. But by referring to these workers as illegal immigrants, we make it the issue by begging the question. The issue becomes framed something like "should we create guest worker programs that allow illegal immigrants to work here legally?" And of course the answer is "no, they are here illegally." The question really is whether we should provide that segment of the workforce that is currently undocumented a way to obtain documentation that would allow them to work here legally.

On the other hand, when we are talking about whether illegal immigrants should be prosecuted, it makes a certain amount of sense to call them illegal immigrants. The issue isn't that they are undocumented. It's that under current law, being undocumented is a crime. I must add though, that while this makes certain amount of sense, it doesn't make complete sense. We need to remember that (also under current law) people are innocent until proven guilty. So, no one is an illegal immigrant until they are convicted of illegal immigration. Maybe we should ask the question as follows "should illegal immigration be prosecuted?" Asking whether we should prosecute "illegal immigrants" is really as silly as asking whether we should prosecute "murders." We don't prosecute murders; we prosecute people for murder.

Sent by Kurt Kessler | 5:54 PM ET | 09-07-2008

Legislative Changes to Reduce the Vulnerability of Undocumented Workers.
One problem with illegalizeing undocumented immigration is that it creates an extremely vulnerable population. Because being undocumented is a crime, being caught can lead to deportation, if not criminal prosecution. Accordingly undocumented workers are reticent to go to the authorities to report when they've been exploited by unscrupulous employers and landlords, or victimized by criminals. We hear stories of people not only being under paid and having to work in unsafe circumstances, but also of being locked into plants or held in remote areas with little or no pay and insufficient food and shelter. Prosecuting employers for hiring undocumented workers doesn't address this directly. It may have some impact by reducing the number of undocumented workers, but it leaves those undocumented workers that remain at least as vulnerable as before, and may in fact leave them more vulnerable as it will likely be the more unscrupulous employers that are willing to run the risk of prosecution.
It seems to me that what is needed is higher penalties for labor law violations when the victims of illegal employment practices are undocumented. It would work something like the increased penalties many states have for violating traffic laws in construction zones. In Oregon, traffic fines are doubled in those areas. So if some is caught purposefully not paying wages or ignoring safety regulations, they get double the fines that are normally imposed. Not only would this dissuade them from using immigration status to exploit the undocumented, but it would also further dissuade them from hiring the undocumented in the first place.

Sent by Kurt Kessler | 5:58 PM ET | 09-07-2008

Illegal immigrants are a burden on our schools. Teachers are expected to teach the taxpayers children along with the non-english speaking immigrants. Many arrive here to have a child so they can be assured of staying here without applying for a Visa. Employers who hire illegal immigrants should be held accountable.

Sent by Carol Bell | 7:37 PM ET | 09-07-2008

The country would be better off if we legalized all the illegals and kicked out rush limbaugh and his fans. I can only dream.

Sent by Mike Fleissner | 8:09 PM ET | 09-07-2008

My father was an immigrant. Maybe legal, maybe not. He, however, was white. Lucky guy. Not too many questions were asked. It was ASSUMED that he -- like the many Canadian and Irish illegals - and here legally and would be a good American citizen.
Having grown up in California, I know that the south of the Border folks are hard working, family oriented and willing to work jobs that English speakers opt out of. Who would want to work in a slaughter house if they had another option?
What we really need in America are MORE Mexicanos. OPEN THE BORDERS!

Sent by Chris Simon | 8:24 PM ET | 09-07-2008

As someone who has recently helped my husband and now is working on my step-daughter to immigrate legally, I am completely overwhelmed by the obsurdity of the process and the agonizing details we have to deal with. Alot of people that have never dealt with immigration just assume it is straight-forward process, as if the person I married is now a U.S. Citizen. ( he is from Europe-they might think that the process is easier for him- but even if it is, it can be a real nightmare!)Just for those that don't know it is likely that citizenship is only a possibility for him after ten years of full-time employment and keeping healthy and lawful. I think the legal immigration process should be easier for the normal person to do. It is natural for people to want to be with their family, and if there was a better system of doing it legally then maybe it could be part of the solution of the masses of undocumented persons. I am disheartened by many of the comments on both sides, there seems to be a general tone of near-hatred towards the opposing side. I believe everything is connected and we must all strive to live in kindness towards one another regardless of where we happen to stand in the large picture. The population on our whole planet is growing-everyone whether you live in the U.S. or not will have to cope with the changing world in one way or another, and the 'high-standard of life' is spreading all over the globe, not just here anymore. So we all better start talking and listening more to each other and learn how to work and live together- somewhere in there lies the solutions.

Sent by laura | 8:37 PM ET | 09-07-2008

The constant refrain about the "the rule of law" as it refers to immigration resonates as loudly as a tapped boulder with me. My grandmothers ancestors were robbed of their land and forced to march the trail of tears, to a barren reservation, "legally". My father's ancestors were kidnapped from Africa, imprisoned and sold on the auction block, "legally". My mother and father would have not been able to marry "legally" in ,many of these United States until the last quarter century. Presently, our current President and his administration have broken a multitude of, American, and international laws. The point here is that laws are human contrivances, and as such are rife with the ignorance and prejudice that plague our species. Referring to the "rule of law" as though it were some eternal sacrosanct mandate, that never changes ignores the fact that "the rule of law" is nothing more than codified tradition.

Sent by Dr. Eric G. Frazier | 9:56 PM ET | 09-07-2008

I wish the media would spend more time talking about WHY Mexican immigrants feel almost forced to come here, ie, lousy conditions in Mexico on almost all fronts. THAT'S what needs to improve to stem the tide. Other than that, I think we should have worker's visas. And just being born here should not confer citizenship.

Sent by Sandra Cavanaugh | 12:50 AM ET | 09-08-2008

After Sarah Palin stated: "the most powerful nation on earth", my reaction was:
The most powerful nation on earth
Ignores the needs of their citizens
But looks across continents, oceans
To solve others problems
Cultures divided by economic status
Rhetorical words with red and blue shades
Purple evangelical overtones racial divisions
The government creates actions
Motions to break families apart
dissolving their American dream
living in a daze losing their homes
to greedy banks
Catching illegal workers like wild animals
on the range caged, tagged and shipped away
Parted, separated, apartheid by immigration laws
Indifferent laws making decent workers outlaws
living in the most powerful nation on earth
legally earning their living wages
National disparity in the most powerful nation on earth.

Sent by Raul Sanchez | 11:13 AM ET | 09-08-2008

"Manifest Destiny"

I am a wandering seed,
Planted by the truest Version and Vision
Of Manifest Destiny.

Go ahead
Take my picture
I will not appear
For I have disappeared
Into a muted darkness
That only thieves, fears create.
I have become
The shadow of a lost name.

My barbed-wire scars are forever raw.
Rivers still bathe my sleep.

Invisible, I have become your toilet scrubber.
In silence, I have become your dust blower.
In limbo, I have become the maid that
Floats, hides behind a mirage of scorching heat --
As I wait, thirst, for a city bus.

Secret and exotic recipes I have shared with your dull tastes,
Even suckled your children at my teat.
So tell me in and with your eyes,
Do you know that I live the way I do,
So you can live the many lives you wish to?

I am the tip of the wave that has survived
Death upon the ocean deserts,
Enticed by a crest of prior exploitation.
But yet, like the unfailing Primavera
That returns, remembers, dreams --
I too am pregnant
With buds, desert rain, fruit of the Earth,
Fragrant HOPE.

Still, the thunder in my heart wonders,
As an ancient History reminds me,

"Since I am an eternal soul,
Why must I beg for work,
Like a leper, sneak back into my own house,
Continue to live stuck in a silent Scream?"

Sent by Jim Larriva | 12:14 PM ET | 09-08-2008

Solutions? Recently I ran across a television news clip about a "mountain that eats men." This mountain with an avarice appetite is located near the highest city in the world, Potos??, Bolivia, 14,000 feet above sea level. The program went on to say that mining has defined Potos?? for almost five centuries, but it has always come with a heavy price. In the 1500s, one of the local Indians leaked the secret of the vast veins of silver in "Cerro Rico," the "rich mountain" that towers over Potos??, and the Spanish then started up a system of forced Indian labor to dig out the treasure. Between 1545 and 1824, about 8 million Indians and African slaves died in the process of producing between 22,000 and 45,000 tons of silver for the Spanish Empire. Not to belabor the point, but again the rape of an innocent victim has occurred and the bloody illegitimate child (precious stolen metal) has been taken away to be the "seed" to finance Caucasian empires. It said that so much silver was "extracted" from this one mine, that it provided enough wealth to finance the entire Spanish conquest of the Americas. Others have also stated that the riches taken to Europe from such mines in the Americas, aided greatly in stimulating the bringing forth of the European Industrial Revolution.
Today, the mountain is no longer called "el Cerro Rico," though unfortunately it still claims its title of "the mountain that eats men," and it still continues to cry about the fact that the city it once made the richest in the world, richer than Paris or London, has become one of the poorest in the Americas. Mining still occurs in "el Cerro Rico," but mostly what is extracted now is iron, zinc, tin, and lead by native descendents and their children. Many of the children chew on coca leaves to "give them strength" to endure the hardships they face hidden in the dark- long hours, limited air, toxic materials, and little food. And of course they must always be alert for the biting jaws of the "mountain that eats men," for many of its tunnel vessels are in ill-repair and occasionally constrict, crumble upon young teen-age sacrifices.
So, what has this to do with solutions? When I heard this story, again I thought that we, the nations benefitting from these unjust thefts, have a great responsibility to rectify detrimental situations we have caused around the world. Somebody must have a vision for this and since this is a global problem, it requires global involvement and global solutions. Do I believe that "we are our brothers' keepers?" Of course, especially since we were the ones that created tremendous problems for the "brother."
The Western Nations, instead of punishing people for coming into their country illegally in search of work, now have a great opportunity to rectify past "indiscretions," by truly focusing on the problems the future immigrants face daily in their home countries. A vast majority would not leave if they had even the simplest means of survival -- like clean water, ample food, medical facilities, a small plot of land, chickens, a goat or two -- the "All-Third-World Dream." Imagine: One day waking up at 4:30 in the morning. Make yourself two bean and chile burritos for the road. Kiss your three young children on the forehead without waking them. Kiss your sick wife on the cheek as you say a soft "good-bye." And as a final task before you embark on your three thousand mile journey (on foot) to the North, you stop at the neighborhood church where you say a quick prayer to the poly-chrome, wooden V??rgen. The flickering candles create the illusion that the V??rgen is opening and closing her eyes, and that she is talking to you. You ask for a safe trip, and that she takes care of your loved ones while you are gone. You are not certain when you will see them again, if ever again. Outside, you take a deep breath of the coolness and of the individual smells in the courtyard of your youth. Is this truly a final good-bye? You think to yourself, "Why am I leaving all that I love -- mi familia, mi casa, mi pueblo, mi querido pa??s (my dear country)?" You know the answer, for it has come to you hundreds of times before: "I must go. I must feed my family. There is no work here. The rich have taken all the good land. They work with foreign gringos, and they gather all the riches of our country for themselves. I must find food for my family.
Unfortunately the above story is sadly multiplied thousands of times, if not millions, all over world -- they do not want to leave but are forced to do so. So what is the solution to this problem? Well, perhaps we can kill two p??jaros with one stone. How about this idea? It is known that most Americans cringe upon hearing the word "amnesty." They feel that providing amnesty without any consequences (punished, shipped out, fined) makes a "travesty" of our code of laws, now and for the future. What if we charged, not fined, each undocumented immigrant one thousand (arbitrary figure) dollars for staying in this country and becoming a naturalized citizen, provided they had been in this country at least two years (also arbitrary figure), and had not committed any felonies. Any child born in the U.S. would be exempt from paying the charge. The charge could be paid in (within) three years, with APR interest charged on the balance.
Now the preceding recommendation would take care of those circa twelve million undocumented immigrants living in the U.S. today. What about the continual flood of those wishing to come to the U.S. legally or forced to come illegally? This is where the other half of the stone becomes a major part in curtailing the main reason people come here illegally, and that would for extreme poverty. Recall the monies charged to those wanting to stay in the U.S.? Those billions of dollars would be used to improve the economical conditions of the places, regions from where the major "illegals traffic" would be coming from, be it Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala, etc. The U.S. and those countries emitting imigrants would work together in setting up industries, agricultural ventures, taking care of health and sanitation needs, literacy programs, and create other opportunities through such highly successful ventures provided through a "recent" innovation, "micro-credit."
Industry- "Hecho en Mexico." (Made in Mexico.) Years ago it was quite common to see this label on many goods sold in the U.S. Now of course, millions of labels say, "Made in China." Ideally for us, U.S. labels would be in our best interest, but no "All-Americans" will work for such incredible low wages as the foreigners do. Throughout my years in the small business world, I've owned several gift shops. And of course most of the goods I sold were made in China. What was quite amazing to me was: 1.) The goods from China were very inexpensive. 2.) The goods were of high quality for the price. 3.) The packaging was well-designed in order to avoid breakage. 4.) And lastly, the giftware was readily available. It could be easily ordered and restocked in about ten days. So all of this got me wondering, "Why can't similar China models be done here closer to home, like in Mexico?" Mexico does appear to have large of amounts of surplus labor. Also a great advantage of this would of course be savings in shipping costs. I must admit I do not know all of the ramifications of being involved in such economic ventures to the south of our borders. Again though, the focus is to provide jobs in particular areas so that people do not have to migrate illegally to the U.S. And again, the initial funds to aid in the development of foreign industries would come from monies collected from immigrant workers wishing to receive "amnesty" and reside permanently in the U.S. Government grants and private investment could also be used to supplement the "financial pool" needed to begin and continue such an ambitious endeavor.

Sent by Young-jim-fong | 9:03 PM ET | 09-08-2008

there are 14,000,000 Illegal Mexicans and more trying to cross into our great country...if all of Mexico wants to be a USA citizen then we should consider making Mexico our 51st STATE.They have OIL...we could crack down easier on Drug Smuggling...Industry says they are good workers...most Americans that are unemployed and have been for years have avoided taking the labor intensive jobs that are available...Farms, construction, Packing Houses, etc.

Sent by milton ross | 11:25 AM ET | 09-09-2008

What would I do about illegal immigration and or illegal immigrants?

1. To try to stem the flow of illegal immigrants: if I were in government, I'd address the problem at its source. I'd offer the main illegal-immigrant-source countries help in creating jobs by consulting with the best brains in U.S. business to ask them to work with officials in those countries and offer their expertise to create jobs where their populations are most economically deprived. I'd also ask U.S. think-tanks to offer their knowledge to help with problems and submit their suggestions to bring about development under sound ecological practices that preserve the agricultural integrity of the country. In addition I'd consult with technical and economic experts to ask them to set up committees that the source country could access for advice and assistance with any problems that might need to be overcome in order to improve the chances of success. Lastly, I'd offer financial aid at low rates to help start approved businesses.

2. For those illegal immigrants trying to enter the country, I'd have a multi-level approach: I would remove the wall -- or the part that has been built so far -- that is supposed to deter illegals from crossing into the U.S. from Latin America. Then

a) I'd build crossing stations at intervals along the border. These stations would have screening processes, dormitories for those operating the stations, dormitories for housing those wishing to cross who are undergoing screening. The stations would have basic medical facilities to ascertain that those held at the stations are not a health-risk, laundry and bathing facilities, kitchens and dining halls, and holding cells for those who are suspected criminals. The details would have to be worked out as to how large each station would have to be. The construction, operation and staffing of such stations would provide jobs for U.S. citizens.
b) In conjunction with another part of the plan (details follow after this section) those trying to cross would no longer be "illegal" but be given the status of temporary worker, after they had been vetted and verified by the appropriate government agency of their country of origin that they are who they say they are and are not wanted for any crimes and have not been convicted of any serious crimes.
c) An ID -- probably biometric that could not be duplicated - would be made but not issued until the temporary worker has a bonafide job to go to. He/she would have to show that an employer was willing to hire him/her.
The temporary worker ID would expire after two or three years.
d) U.S. citizens who wish to employ temporary workers can register their needs at the crossing stations. Employers would have to submit their phone numbers, state the wages to be offered, type of employment, duration of employment, hours per day expected to be worked, job location -- address, housing availability in the area and other relevant details such as how the employer intends to get the workers to the job sites or place of business. A suitable size parking area would have to be built at each station so that employers who wish to transport temporary workers to job sites, or who want to come to look for temporary workers and offer jobs, can park. Any potential employer not previously registered would also have to submit details of employment at the station.
e) If it is against the law to employ illegals then the onus is on the employer to verify that temporary workers have the appropriate ID and these IDs must be recorded in the employer's records for verification and checking. Legislation to this effect would have to be put in place if it is not already in operation. Employers who disobey the law, would have heavy fines the first time they break the law, and professional licenses withdrawn the next time, and jail time on a third incidence.
f) Employers of temporary workers must be required to advertise or post the jobs they have available so that any U.S. Citizen or legal resident has the opportunity to apply for the positions offered.
g) Temporary workers whose initial employment ends within the time frame of their ID card allowance would be free to stay in the country and find other work. When their allowed time expires, they will have to go to Immigration Offices or special employment offices that could be set up throughout the country to find out if they can extend their time. If the temporary worker has a job and a request from an employer that he is needed, the work time frame on the ID could be extended. (These special employment offices should also receive listings of jobs that employers need to be filled by temporary workers.) If a worker's time has expired and he/she is not needed, he would have to return to his/her home country, and could not apply to re-enter via the crossing stations for 6-12 months (or whatever length of time is deemed appropriate).
h) Having the ID details on record with the expiration dates, a list could be forwarded to the crossing stations (they would work both ways -- coming and going) of those temporary workers whose time is extended as well as those who have to check their exit status as they leave the U.S.
i) Employers would have to require proof of U.S. citizenship, permanent residency (I think this is already a requirement in law), or a temporary worker's permit from anyone they hire. This is necessary for the scheme to work and to keep tabs on illegals.
j) Crossing stations that have filled up with hopefuls would need to turn away those that could not be accommodated or transport them to crossing stations that had a vacancy. Hopeful temporary workers who had no employer after two or three months would have to return to their home country.
k) Details of how the crossing stations operate, the rules for obtaining a temporary worker permit etc., would have to be well-publicized including the restrictions on the number of places available at each station.

1. For those illegals already in the U.S. (12 million of them), we would have to make it well-known via newspaper, tv, radio, employment offices, and as many major and minor employers as possible that the laws of the land require all employers to verify citizenship or temporary worker permits before they can hire anyone.
b. This information needs to highlight that anyone currently employed or seeking employment who is not a citizen or legal resident and does not have a worker permit, must go to the special employment offices (or it might be the regular employment office until special ones can be set up) to get one, and be told also that he/she will be given a work permit for two to three years after he/she has been vetted, and will not be deported.
c. They need to know that while they are applying for the temporary work permit, they can continue to work in the country -- they will be given a card showing that they have applied for a temporary work permit.
d. Because we know it is not feasible to deport 12 million people, as part of the plan to document all the illegals who are contributing to the U.S. we should allow those who've held a temporary worker permit for 2-3 years and have been in the country for at least 6 years (even if part of those years were as "illegals") to apply for citizenship.
e. Those who committed serious crimes in their home countries, or in the U.S. would be deported.

Sent by Mary C Russell | 4:00 AM ET | 09-10-2008

The answer to illegal immigration is easy, make it legal. If it were legal we could enforce the wage laws more easily, collect taxes, and just overall things would be more orderly. But in the meantime, while it is illegal, there is no way we should be providing services such as schools and numerous other benefits that overload our system and are causing the states to go broke. Just because you disagree with a law does not mean that you have the right to ignore it, pollyanna TV dramas notwithstanding.

Sent by David | 4:38 PM ET | 09-10-2008

I feel that we in US are thinking about the immigration problem all wrong. I never here anyone say anything about making Mexico the focus. Helping it improve the conditions that make people want or have to leave so they can support their families. I am also sure that most of the hispanic families that live in the US not only make more money ,but that they feel safer living here. I have a son who lives close to Juarez and the stories that he tells me about that place, just make me know why mexicans would want to cross the border. So I think our politicans and border patrol people ought to spend some time thinking about what we can do to imporve the life these people have in their own country and not be so worried about sending home people who work hard and try to support their family.

Sent by Maralee Gerke | 5:04 PM ET | 09-12-2008

Nothing can be done about illegal immigration. Its far too late. Our corporate leaders, small business leaders, political leaders, and judicial system have failed the average American. America has the perfect system for 20 million illegal immigrants to enter and remain in our country. The reset button does not work.

Once the illegal immigrants established communties they became self sustaining. Its against the law to profile someone by their ethnicity and determine whether they are legally in the country. Illegal immigration has been taking place long enough and the previous amnesty such that a great mixture makes it impossible to assume any given Latino is an illegal. Even when they do not speak English.

The Latino community has grown to such a large size that no national politican would risk their career by taking a stand against illegal immigration. This will only become worse.

I worked in social services for more than 25 years in three different states and witnessed the increasing burden on communities of providing social services, educational, housing, and health care to illegal immigrants. It always amazed me how someone could live in any country for 20 years and not speak the language. As such communities grown this has and will continue to increase.

Now not only are an increasing number of jobs require Spanish language, products are in Spanish.

How is it that someone can become an American citizen and not be fluent in English. How is it that voting materials must be in several different languages ?

I believe a great deal of the opposition to illegal immigration, which should not be confused with legal immigration, is due to the general unfairness of it all. Americans have a strong sense of fairness. Try to cut to the heat of a line at a bank or movie and find out how quickly you will be confronted.

American also have a strong reaction to being forced into anything. It goes against the American grain to be forced to accept the presence of so many will arrived by less than legal means.

Americans are being forced to witness and accept a change in their culture in which they have no input.

Shor of a severe economic depression for an extended period of time together with a terrific economic explosion in Mexico and central America, the current pattern is not likely to change.

I owuld love to see homeless people illegally enter the home of the illegal immigrant supporters and churches, clean the house (you know, the houswork the owners don't do) and demand to stay. Especially those with children. I wonder if they would be allowed to stay ?

Its far to late to do anything but accept the situation supported by our good Christian citizens with bleeding hearts. America does not have th stomach or willingness to do anything meaningful. Such as pass a constitutional amendment which states citizenship can only be acquired by a child if at least one of the parents is/was a U.S. citizen at the time of birth or nationalization. Employers have legal responsibility to establish the status of all of their employees. Financial reward for any information establishing the conviction of anyone hiring an illegal immigrant, such as small businesses and individuals. Citizenship, like immunization must be established for any children attending public or private schools. English as an official language. Hospitals required to establish the status of all patients and not include the cost of treating illegal immigrants in its pricing policy but to send the bill to the embassy of that country and to periodically publish the treatment and amount for which the embassy was billed. Declar a zone within 10 miles of both borders a military zone and allow the military to support the Border patrol, including detaining suspected illegal immigrants.

Since its unlikely any of these or similar actions will be taken, the only option is to accept the situation instead of becoming frustrated or angry. Get on with your life and enjoy your family, life, friends, and others.

Sent by Maurice Simmons | 3:54 AM ET | 09-13-2008

US needs a better US-Mexican foreign policy that promotes Mexican infrastructure. Past US policy has put Mexico into extreme DEBT that causes Mexico to turn their economic focus away from infrastructure, agriculture and other nation-building projects.

Example, In many areas of Mexico, agriculture and fishing has been replaced by construction jobs for tourism hotels. While these jobs pay ok, they must import all their food.
Many areas of Mexico don't grow corn, and Mexico must Import a huge amount of corn to feed their people. This is expensive.

Why isn't there a real discussion of positive US-Mexico economics that would keep Mexicans at home, where most would prefer to live anyhow?

Sent by joe | 9:50 AM ET | 09-14-2008

The first thing I would do is get rid of the words and phrases "illegal immigrant" and "illegal immigration" and go back to the words we use to use "undocumented immigrant" and "immigration" et.seq. The changes that were made several years ago were done by racist anti-people of color groups/hate groups such as the Minutemen and the national Nazi groups. After all, we did not see the Minutemen lined up at the border between Canada and the U.S., only between Mexico and the U.S.

The national media has adopted these new terms not understanding their race-based origin. It's the difference between calling a person of African descent a "nigger" and a Negro/black.

Moreover, adding the words "illegal" is totally inaccurate and a misnomer because it assumes that any immigrant who comes to the U.S. is "illegal" when in fact it is perfectly legal for anyone to enter the U.S. under normal circumstances. People can come to the U.S. to visit family and as tourists without immediate restrictions.

Sent by Mary Ann | 11:18 AM ET | 09-14-2008

Know who's the strongest lobby in Congress against fixing illegal immigration? The U.S. Chamber of Commerce! If they can't find work, they won't come...
Having spent 25 years in a border city, and working in public schools there, I personally can recommend this:
Require all students of all ages must pass English proficiency to be admitted to public schools.
Disband ESL programs in said schools. Test in English only
Do not automatically give U.S. citizenship to children born of illegals.
Require businesses and institutions to
conduct all transactions in English, the
official language of business, and if hiring, require a minimum of proficiency in that language.

Let's be realistic: 14 million people can't be "sent back". We are all part of the whole here now, but our social services system cannot continue to support 14 million more. If you have never been down on our southern border, you have no idea just how ludicrous suggestions to "close the border" are!
The only way to slow the tide is to not hire and not educate here. This didn't happen overnight and it won't be fixed overnight, either.

Sent by Colleen Gavin El Paso, TX | 2:10 PM ET | 09-14-2008

For the record, the term "illegal immigrant" is NOT a racist term. It is applied to anyone who is a citzen of another country who either entered the U.S. in violation of the law or who remains in the U.S. in violation of the law. It applies to British, French, Mexican, Polish, Italian, Spanish, Russian, German, etc. Its not restricted to countries South of the U.S. boarders but to countries West, North, and East of U.S. boarders as well. It is citizens from Mexico who have entered or remain in the U.S. in violation of U.S. laws by the millions are who therefore are most likely to be caught. I have little doubt that citixens from other countries who entered or remain in the U.S. in violation of U.S. laws are thankful so many millions of Mexican share their status. This focus the resources of the U.S. government on mexicans rather than Canadian, French, Britich, Irish, German who share their status.

Why do you work so hard to make the term "illegal immigrant" a racist term in favor of "undocument immigrant" ? Undocument immigrant makes it sounds as if someone simply forgot to get a visa instead of having violated U.S. law. Go to Mexico and violate their immigration law, as a friend of my best friend, and discover a whole new meaning for the term. Besides, a rose by any other name is still an illegal immigrant.

Sent by Maurice Simmons | 8:10 PM ET | 09-14-2008

At what age are we going to "[r]equire all students of all ages to pass [an] Engish proficiency [exam] to be admitted to public schools"? Pre-school?

Is not the reason we send our children to school is to learn proper English among other languages?

Last time I checked a newly born baby does not know how to speak any language at birth.

Having done business outside of the U.S., I can say we are in short supply of Americans who are fluent in other languages and we are losing our edge in the world market. We need to educate our children to speak languages other than English. With immigrants you do not have that problem because they hopefully are already fluent in their native tongue. They bring those advantages to the U.S. when they stay, are educated in American schools and then go out and work in the world market representing American industry.

Your suggestion to "not automatically give U.S. citizenship to children born of illegals" is fortunately unconstitutional. If we did this in the beginning of our history, we would never have established a nation. Same principle applies now.

Your third suggestion to "r]quire businesses and institutions to
conduct all transactions in English, the official language of business"...ignores the rest of the world where business is conducted in languages other than English. Nothing like cutting off our nose to spite our face by insisting the rest of the world conduct their business in what we maintain is our langage.

Sent by Mary Ann | 6:06 AM ET | 09-15-2008