We should just put up US Immigration Office signs on every building.

...if ever at all. But it's just not right for some to not pay taxes and also use our social services.

Why doesn't Bush put pressure on Fox to clean out his gov't of corruption, liberalize his society and economy...so that it's not so dang hard to start a business there? We pick on other nations. We should encourage Mexico to create its own job machines and wealth.

That's the point. They don't WANT to be Americans. They just want the cash. If they wanted to be Americans, they would immigrate legally and make solid attempts to assimilate to the culture.

Legal immigrants want the dream and they are willing to work just as hard as illegals. To give illegals the same level of dignity and respect as illegals is a MASSIVE slap to the face of those that came to this country within the boundaries of its laws.

IMO, you're absolutely correct. Living in Houston, I've had a lifetime to get used to the issue.

My girlfriend is a teacher whose classes have some illegals who do not speak English. Get this, she's having to teach them in Spanish. Now that is simply UNBELIEVABLE!

She should refuse to teach them.

That's what I told her but she says that she doesn't want to casue any toruble. So, I just dropped it. Around here, the way they deal with the iussue is they want folks to be billingual - only it's backwards in that more is done to make sure the American citizens can communicate with the illegals rather than the other way around.

I met a man this last weekend that has a driveway cleaning job who formerly had his own painting business. He no longer has the painting business because his competition under cut him by hiring illegals so he could charge half the price.

I teach part-time...and that is un-buc-in-believable!!!!

Dealing with illiteracy in English is hard enough!!!

Exactly. Those kids have no incentive to learn the language and the school systems here facilitate that mentality because they'll continue to teach them in Spanish. I do understand that education is most important to any child, and any child should have the chance to receive a good education. However, IMO it's not too much to ask that said illegal allian child be taught in English since he/she is getting his/her education in this country. Am I missing something here?

Ok, you asked for a serious reply...
 

This is a very complex issue that I happen to have experience with on several levels. That doesn't mean my opinions are gauranteed to be right, but at least I know what questions to ask ROFL

Examples of complexities. I could write an essay on each of these, but I'll spare you...

There is a difference between crossing the border illegally and over-staying your visa. People that don't return have been through background checks, tend to be law abiding, and in my experience, are willing to work very hard. We always think of Mexico, but a vast percentage of illegals are from Central and South America and don't want to go back to what is literally a dangerous situation. They had to escape but couldn't get an immigration visa. They settled for a tourist visa instead (BTW, if you think our gov't doesn't know this is happening, think again. The number of Tourist Visas goes up dramatically to countries in turmoil).

There is a vast underground for illegal aliens. An underground economy is never good ~ no economics professor would ever argue that. The 'honest' illegals have no choice but to take part in it. Unfortunately, it also supports the 'bad' illegal elements. Being forced into this underground economy keeps aliens from assimilating into our society (what Roosevelt was quoted on).

Our current immigration laws are a mess and contribute to the problem. Don't get me started.

When I opened a fast food restaurant in OKC, I couldn't get people to even apply for the jobs ~ at any wage. Employers on this board are all telling you the same thing, Americans just don't want certain types of jobs. Several years ago when a new mall opened in Olathe, the stores couldn't find employees. Look it up, it made the newspaper. I live in Dallas and can promise you that the majority of the restaurants, construction companies, landscapers, grocery stores, Wal-Marts, etc. would not be able to stay open if you took away the illegals tomorrow. Who's going to move accross the country to work at McDonalds?

For non-salaried jobs, undocumented workers work harder, are more dependable, and more loyal. Just my experience.

'Cracking Down' on illegals just makes the underground culture stronger. Without getting into a long explanation, look at the Drug War ~ we've really hurt the drug cartels, haven't we?

I agree with you but I would add the obvious & that is that all of this doesn't mean a thing if we can't secure our borders. That has to be our number one priority besides changing our immigration policies. Whether its a wall, fence, National Guard, 50,000 border agents - something must be done. Our congressmen/women should be ashamed at their inaction. They are a National disgrace is you asked me. They probably can't even tie their own shoes without doing a focus group first.

At least in my area, that couldn't be further from the truth. "Professional" construction workers as you call them will get hired over illegals every time. The problem is, there aren't enough quality professionals out there.

I also disagree with the notion that immigrant = sloppy work. A lot of these guys do better work than their American counterparts.

Well, "they" aren't a monolith. That's why I went to the trouble of specifying which illegals I think we should welcome. Those who are here for the paycheck but have no interest in being Americans (i.e. stomachs in the US but hearts in Mexico) are in a different category. If we need these workers then we should have a "guest worker" program of some sort so that they will be documented and so that we can prevent them from getting all the perks of full citizenship (e.g. voting, welfare, etc.). But to the extent possible, it would be better if we could satisfy our labor needs through the legal immigration of those who want to become Americans.

Legalize it so that the only requirements are fingerprinting, application for SS# and pay for an entry paperwork processing fee.

Actually, I DO lump all illegals into one category. If they are willing to break the law in order to the get into the country, why would you expect anything less once they are in? I could care less as to their motivation.

These people ALL have a legal means to get in; they are CHOOSING not to.

To be blunt and as a legal immigrant, fuck them. If I had my way, they'd be against the wall tomorrow.

Probably a good thing I can never be President of the United States. I have absolutely ZERO sympathy for them. They are criminals, plain and simple.