What should be done about illegal immigration in the USA?

Total Voters: 540 Secure the borders, penalize employers who knowingly hire them, and deport them if caught, no exceptions. 70% Secure the borders, but allow illegal immigrants with no criminal record to stay. 70% Leave the borders unchanged and offer illegal immigrants amnesty. 70% Not sure. 70% Tom 10/22/14 12:48pm First our ****less president needs to lock up the boarders with electric fences and zap the Mother F_uckers with a zillion volts. They would learn not to try and cross. Then go after the illegals that are here scoop them up along with the kids they had here and deposit them back accross the boarder. Tom 06/27/14 7:42am Secure the boarders. Put up Electric fencing and if they try to get through zap them with a million volts. They will think twice about coming across. They get zapped enough they will learn just like training a dog with the invisible fence, but this fence will be seen. Also any that get through deport right back across the boarder. We have enough that are sucking our system dry. Tee 02/28/08 9:44am I think they should let them come to this country but they need to abide by the rules of the US. Taylor 02/03/07 7:52pm Oh my gosh! I understand with Iraqis and people we are at war with, but Mexicans? All they do is work for us and earn us money... why keep them out? Trish58 06/27/06 8:16am I totally agree with Lori as said in her comment as follows----there is more truth to this than is really considerd.....Lori 06/03/06 9:45am If you're not American Indian, you are an immigrant. It could be argued that the 1st immigrants to arrive here were 'illegal'. Having said this, I think the best solution would be to: (1) secure our borders, (2) deport those who are caught trying to enter country illegally, (3) send back those already here who have criminal records, (4) give 'probationary' legal status to all others here illegally....they must have a job & learn to speak English should be priority requirements leading to legal status...AND, most importanly, (5) heavily punish employers who hire illegals,,,,they are the ones who are perpetuating the illegal problem!!! Folkman 06/11/06 6:44am Folkman say: Secure the borders, but allow illegal immigrants with no criminal record to stay. But I am from the UK anyway... JOC. 06/09/06 9:51am My confussion in all this, is that thru out the history of this great country all immigrants from all over the world has put their sweat,blood,body and soul to make what this country is today, just because on the other side of the world theirs someone who think this country is evil doesn't mean that all immigrant should also pay for some other person point of vieww specially living so closed together. I understand if you have a problem in living your life corrupted you must change or get out., But I don't believe that hard working people that have been here for so long and have build their live in USA and their children also learn this nation way of living, be one morning blown away for ever. that's sad. Me 06/09/06 7:54am Thats all bull. people juz come to this country lookin for better lives! you're just lucky to be born here or live here already! Liz uk 06/08/06 1:17pm It the illegal inmigrantanin the uk i worry about too many off them Luv 06/07/06 7:40pm In my opinion, the UN should have a conference addressing the matter. All leaders would come together and come to a realistic yet positive solution, for ALL indigenous peoples. Anthropologically, these solutions would be sound, to even the most narrow-minded of people. A check and balance with immigration. On a smaller scope, all state legislatures should look at the pros and cons of the matter for each state. Then relate the relevant issues along with actions and their immediate and prolong consequences to the US congress. Propose new bills and how to amend current laws, to corrolate with the civil and more so HUMAN rights. Catwoman 06/06/06 9:22pm Why don't you all go back to your ancesters land and let us have our land back after all your all illeagle's in great sprit's land Paula 06/06/06 8:59pm The key word here is illegal. Do things the right way and there is no problem. This is just like any other law folks. You break the law, you pay. Deportation, jail time, whatever. If you don't get caught doing something illegal, thank your lucky stars - BUT REMEMBER, what goes around comes around in the end, and then. . . Karma will be there to bite you in the ass! Bev 06/06/06 5:32pm I really think this is another smoke screen to keep us from talking about Iraq. Our congress is busy creating hateful ammendments to the constitution about gay people and trying to figure out how to keep out other so-called "undesirables". They are trying to appear to the fearful side of the American people. I really don't see how we can call ourselves "Christian" or even "spiritual" when all we are doing right now is killing innocent people overseas and trying to figure out who is best at home; those with the stars or those without the "stars upon thars" as Dr. Seuss put it. The religious right always asks WWJD-what would Jesus do? I doubt that he'd be conducting himself in this manner! MissMarie 06/06/06 10:01am Illegal immigrants are provided access to health care and other benefits U.S. citizens who pay taxes and cannot afford insurance for themselves or their families. Policies that reward illegal immigrants are wrong and the U.S. government needs to take care of it's own people. UK Girl 06/06/06 3:03am If you think the situation is bad in the USA then you haven't seen anything - Britain is getting worse as each month passes. Karen 06/05/06 9:33pm THE IMMAGRATION SITUATION IN THIS COUNTRY IS BROKEN AND OUT OF CONTROL AND HAS BEEN FOR SOME TIME. OUR GOVERNMENT IS BROKEN AND OUT OF CONTROL ALL SO, CATERING TO BIG BUSINESS. SINCE BIG BUSINESS IS THE ONES HIRING IMMAGRINTS AND IN TURN DRIVING DOWN THE WAGES IN THIS COUNTRY, OUR GOVERNMENT TURNS A DEAF EAR TO THE WISHES OF THE LEGAL CITIZEN VOTING AMERICANS. THE LARGEST GROUP OF IMMAGRANTS FROM MEXICO ARE HERE NOT BECAUSE THEY WANT TO BE CITIZENS OF AMERICA, OR THEY WHOULD HAVE ALREADY APPLIED . THEY ARE HERE TO WORK, SEND MONEY TO FAMILIES IN MEXICO THEN EVENTUALLY GO HOME. THAT AMERICAN DOLLAR HELPS THE MEXICAN ECONOMY.THEY ARE BEING EXPLOTED BY BIG BUSINESS. IF THEY BECOME CITIZENS IN THE U.S., THEY LOOSE THEIR CITIZENSHIP IN MEXICO. WE NEED TO SECURE OUR BORDERS, BOTH NORTH AND SOUTH. WE DO NOT NEED TO DEPORT THOSE THAT ARE HERE, ALL WE HAVE TO DO IS HEAVELY FINE THE EMPLOYERS THAT HIRE THEM AND REQUIRE THAT EMPLOYERS HIRE ONLY LEGAL OR WORK VISA EMPLOYEES. THE REST WILL GO HOME. OUR ECONOMY WILL NOT SUFFER BECAUSE THE EMPLOYER WILL BE FORCED TO PAY A DECENT WAGE. THEY WILL CRY : OH POOR ME FOR A WHILE BECAUSE THEY WILL NOT BE MAKING BIG PROFITS, AND YES, PRODUCTS WILL GO UP, BUT THEY WILL ANY WAYS. LOOK AT THE PRICE OF GAS, IMMAGRATION HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE PRICE GAS GOING UP. WE LEGAL AMERICANS NEED TO LET OUR GOVERNMENT OFFICALS KNOW WHERE WE STAND ON THIS VERY IMPORTANT ISSUE AND OUR VOICES SHOULD BE HEARD. EMAIL THEM AND LET THEM KNOW, SINCE THEY HAVE NO IDEA FOR THE MEANING OF THE WORD "ILLEGAL". Milena 06/05/06 6:34pm Well, this immigration issue is definitely a challenging topic. This is very complicated, and remember the investigations alone will be costly, not to mention deportation, etc. I think it would be fair to let those already here stay, maybe give a cut off date of the past 8-10 years, or something humane as that. It's more complicated than you can imagine, each of these countless cases are so unique. I saw one guy on TV tonight that is in college and came here for medical reasons when he was a small boy. When the visa expired his mother kept him here, etc., etc. Well, the result is a child who did not personally come here illegally or break any law. He grew up here, dang it! He is now a contributing member of our society. When you hear him speak you think - wow, he sounds 100% American, and a good person w/ sensible goals, not to mention his roots are certainly well planted here. Well, that's just an example of how diverse the situations get. I understand that the immigration issue has gotten out of hand. But really I think we shouldn't be focusing on years of mishaps, and just plain old history. Would you consider think this whole immigration issue may be more of a smoke screen over more pertinent issues, like the war in Iraq that's draining our country of billions of dollars??? I think the immigration issue needs to be put more in perspective, and not be such a heartless directive. We are, afterall, a "melting pot" of immigrants over the past 500 years. I think too, that digging too much in the past, opening Pandora's Box, will not only further drain our country financially, but will definitely create enormous pockets of suffering. Let's face it, most of these immigrants are not living high on the hog. They have their own share of suffering, as most of us, the working poor. The current immigration process is so ridiculously arduous, the average American can not imagine. Furthermore, they are talking about banishing these people for years. I don't think it's fair to suddenly rip families and their live apart over this not-so-well-thought-out plan. Remember one more thing too: The reputation of the US in coutries all around the world is very fragile, to say the least. This issue could definitely increase further feelings of hatred and animousity around the world. We are known by many distorted and negative adjectives. This will further confirm a "heartless" image if the strict immigration policy goes through. Like I said, it's a challenging topic. Tara 06/05/06 6:25pm I'm not understanding how americans are wanting to keep people out..the histroy of the usa is one of opression and slavery, and annilation of the indians..and now building a wall to keep people out..how can you keep what is not yours to keep..we have been blessed...and now it is time to share and to help..everything we have is borrowed for when we die , it is left here...fear is a weakness..greed is without conciousness...the walll we build to keep others out..will also keep us in...even now you are not trusted by your own gov. KRYSTAL 06/05/06 1:39am FIRST OF ALL I WANT TO SAY MEXICANS, HONDURIANS, EL SALVADORIANS, NICARAGIANS, WHATEVER THEY ARE THEY HAVE THE SAME BLOOD RUNNING THROUGH THEIR VEINS THAT WE DO THEY HAVE THE SAME ORGANS. THE ONLY THING WE ARE DOING HERE IS GOING TO BACK TO THE SLAVERY DAYS AND NO ONE IS REALIZING IT I MEAN COME ON THINK ABOUT IT... THE BLACKS COULDN'T GO TO SCHOOL OR NOTHING HERE ONLY WORK. MEXICAN OR WHOM EVER FROM CENTRAL AMERICA ARE THE SAME AS WE ARE... BESIDES BLACKS AREN'T FROM HERE THEY ARE ORIGINALLY FROM AFRICA-AMERICA SO IF WE SEND THE HISPANICS BACK THEN SEND THE BLACKS BACK TO AFRICA AND ONLY LEAVE THE WHITE PEOPLE SOME OF THESE PEOPLE NEED TO GET THERE HEAD OUT OF THEIR ASS' AND REALIZE OUR ECONOMY IS GOING TO CRASH WITH THEM... THEY MAKE OUR FURNITURE AND MOST OF THE STUFF WE HAVE IN HOUSE'S SO IF YOU DON'T LIKE THEM THEN DON'T WEAR ANY CLOTHES MADE ANY WHERE EXCEPT THE UNITED STATES AND BUY ANY BIC INK PENS THEY ARE MADE IN MEXICO WELL JUST START PAYING ATTENTION TO WHAT YOU BUY... AND LEAVE THEM ALONG BECAUSE RATHER THEY ARE ILLEGAL OR LEGAL THEY ARE STILL THE SAME PERSON IT DOESNE'T CHANGE ANYTHING... AND I'M SURE EVERYONE HEAR HAS DONE SOMETHING ILLEGAL AT ONE POINT IN THIER LIFE TIME Maggie 06/03/06 2:56pm There is something about "illegal" that bothers me. Why should we reward people who break our laws? Mexico is a land of very few laws, it is a flawed government. When the mexicans come here they want a handout, we are giving it to them, to our own detriment. I read that they want to take over our country. Then What? Will they want a country like their own, the one they are running away from? It just makes me befuddled and really pissed off. Lori 06/03/06 9:45am If you're not American Indian, you are an immigrant. It could be argued that the 1st immigrants to arrive here were 'illegal'. Having said this, I think the best solution would be to: (1) secure our borders, (2) deport those who are caught trying to enter country illegally, (3) send back those already here who have criminal records, (4) give 'probationary' legal status to all others here illegally....they must have a job & learn to speak English should be priority requirements leading to legal status...AND, most importanly, (5) heavily punish employers who hire illegals,,,,they are the ones who are perpetuating the illegal problem!!! Melinda 06/03/06 7:57am Dont know.... I mean isn't America a bunch of immigrants??? I mean isn't it true that the Native Americans were here before "americans" were? Terry 06/03/06 7:37am Illegal immigrants living in the USA cost tax payers money. They have illegal licenses & drive cars & thus no insurance. What happens when they are the cause of a car accident! Who pays their hospital bills. Do we even know their real names? Employers evade taxes by hiring under the table & illegals don't pay taxes. Construction companys for example, hire illegals (good paying jobs) and take jobs away from US citizens. Who pays for the childrens education-taxpayers. Who pays if they commit a crime, need a lawyer and go to jail...taxpayers. I do think it unreasonable for the US to send them all back. There has to be a way to make them register, get legal jobs, pay their taxes and most of all learn english. Borders should always be protected and further illegal entry into the US not allowed. It's a human right to provide a good life for family but do it lawfully. Concerned Human who is not a Figwit 06/02/06 7:20pm Hey all you people! Even if illegal immigrants are illegal, they are people too! Yeah! Are we not all humans? Must we discriminate against the immigrants? What did they ever do to you, man? Be a human, let my people stay! Peggy 06/01/06 7:23pm When our borders were less secure and Mexicans could come to the United States and work for a while and take the money home to Mexico. The borders becoming more secure have already made major problems. The Mexicans who used to come and go are now bringing the whole illegal family with them and they don't ever go back home. So now we have very poor people from Mexico living here and they are still working for wages that guarantee their continued poverty and need to be here. And now we have the medical problems. The people don't go to the doctor when they should because they are poor, then they wait til they are near death and make really humongous hospital bills and these bills trickle down to me. Joanna 06/01/06 3:36pm First of all, yes, I do believe this is all a distraction from the war in Iraq. But if "they" are going to make an issue out of it, let's be real. We will never find every illiegal immigrant living in this country. It is impossible. The ones they do find will never be able to prove thay have been in this counrty for five yrs. , which was the last gov't propossal I have heard about to remain in the US. I think the US Gov't is making a mountain out of a mole hill. We are not at war with Mexicans. Mexicans are not the terrosists. All this is going to accomplish is more hate crimes - people getting fired-up in the heat of the moment. That is a shame. We have enough crime here. And we are all (mostly) immigrants. Bianca 06/01/06 8:55am We need tighter security. The issue with the immigrants is totally out of control. Money is being invested to handle these cases which shoud be spent on securing jobs for our citizens, housing, medical assistant, education and serious gang problems. We need to concentrate more on our own and have tighter security at the border and beyond if necessary. We also need to have our citizens report any employer hiring imigrants. I'm not against people choosing where they want to live, but if individuals can sneak into our country, attain jobs and housing and use our legal system to fight our laws, there is something wrong with this. TJ 06/01/06 5:53am Its sad to see how easily we Humans are pulled this way & that by an administration that is obviously distracting us. I know how very insecure people are & so does this administration, as they have BANKED on it! I do see the validity in things said about so called illegals as I have seen the negitive effects in my State but at the same time I have also seen the positive.Personally I think its a distraction & want to know whats really going on! Dont you?! We cannot trust those who repeatidly lie,cheat & steal.In a time like this we should all band together to out those who seem jealouse of our freedom, re-writing the constitution to benifit corporations while leaving the most vulnerable even more so... happye on we are here for a reason, right, so as Nelson Mandela so elquently put it "Its not our dark side that most frightens us, its our light our beaming shining light" I am not afraid of my own greatness! I see it in all of us & feel we have been duped into insecurity. Peace & Light Fellow Travelers............ Joanne 05/31/06 11:10pm AS TIONA SAID IF THE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS ARE SO PROUD OF BEING MEXICAN-THEN FIX MEXICO INSTEAD OF SUCKING OUR RESOURCES DRY,NOT WANTING TO REALLY BE AN AMERICAN AND SHIPPING MONEY BACK TO MEXICO.IF IT CONTINUES WE'LL BE SEEING VINCENTE FOX FOR PRESIDENT SIGNS HERE IN THE US Robin 05/31/06 4:51pm The Alamo, independence against Mexico. Now it seems like it was all for nothing, since it's "this land is your land, this land is our land".Now a day's It seems like I am in Mexico. If they are so proud "Brown Pride" then they shoud go back!!! Catwoman 05/31/06 4:01pm First off this is only a personal opinion,I believe that each of us should take a look at where our ancestors came from and remember the only true citizens of this country are what we call today Native Americans!! and the only peoples who have a right to complain about anything! We in fact are all illeagle in this land so untill you can come up with a better reason to complain then shut up! after all i don't see any bureau of white man's affairs or english,irish or any other nationallity!! Yet the native's let us come into their land and what did we do to them? WE SCREWED THE THAT'S WHAT SO IF WE GET A LITTLE OF IT BACK THEN SO BE IT!!! Ron 05/31/06 3:42pm First of all its not only all about the money/jobs they are taking, It's how they can come into our country with their disrepectful actions( shooting Denver cops then fleeing back to Mexico, Drunk Illegals hitting little kids playing outside with their Beaned out trucks/cars, ) they cant drive as it is! They are not registered so they really cant be tracked, building "The Great Wall" might be cheaper. Enough 05/31/06 12:34pm It just amazes me how so many people bought into that Michael Moore garbage hook line and sinker. And who the heck is Ben Aladin? Lets build a wall and secure our borders! Stop the bleeding! Sexy 05/31/06 2:42am Fact: Bush senior and Bush Jr. recieved most of there money, from ben aladin's family and housed them in the usa,secretively, then when the 9-11 broke out, they sent them back to there country and still do business with them today. and you see Ben Aladin has not be caught. but instead the one who has been caught , was supported by bush senior before any war. Fact: yes Bush Jr. has an adgenda with president Fox , of mexico, of cheap labor. but the Mr. Fox has to clean his own house that is mexico city , and provide for his own people so they can stay in there own country. and yes the mexican people in the usa , already tried to changed the lanuage , and that failed. all illegal immigrants from mexico should go back , and those that are born here, should not get citizenship, they to should be send back to mexico.and those that are trying to get sponsership thur (either from one parent that is usa citizen sword in legally, and the child is born in mexico, they do should not get citizenship thur sponsership thur the parent her in the usa that is citizenized .Let them stay in there own country. They should be deported and refuse citizenship and not be granted citizenship by being born in the usa. they should not be alloud on a worker pass either that will last for six months , for they will report and will disappear in the masses. and most of the crimes committed in the usa , and are unsloved in states are done by illegals. they forge social security , to get work here in the usa, and papers. so in my opinion they should not be alloud here in the usa. Sue 05/30/06 7:43pm I think Bush has his own agenda for allowing illegal aliens. Bush earns his money in oil and farming in Texas. Illegals are so grateful to be here that any wage offered is to them a real blessing. Living in Texas for many years I am well aware of the labor game played by "The Good Old Boys" ie: Bush. YES 05/30/06 1:51pm Well said. It really is a problem with how tax monies are allocated. Especially welfare. Some emergency medical services need to be available to people, but abuses should be really kept in check. Solution 05/30/06 9:29am The only way I would offer amnesty to illegal immigrants is if we first abolished all social services. That means no free education, no welfare and no free lunch for anyone including American citizens. I donate money and goods to charity every year along with millions of Americans, so why should my taxes by used for the same purpose? If illegals can earn a living, stay out of trouble with the law, and NOT rely on handouts from taxpayers, than I have no problem with them staying and working in our Country. What?!? 05/29/06 8:32pm Ummm...Are we now basing our policy on the way other countries treat people? What does Mexico's policy have to do with America's? Whatever legal means the American government uses to deal with the influx of people need not be harsh, nor is it necessary to treat immigrants like criminals. Denny 05/29/06 8:17pm I always believe one should look after their backyard before helping someone else...let them go back and apply legally... Hypocrisy 05/29/06 3:43pm Mexico does not tolerate illegal aliens from Central America, so why should we tolerate illegal aliens from Mexico? They treat anyone who breaches its borders from Central America as criminals with no exceptions! Illegal immigration is uhm.... "illegal" and should be treated as such! This has nothing to do with jobs and everything to do with the respecting and enforcing the law! Harvest 05/29/06 3:14pm The world is your neighbor. Treat your neighbor as you would treat yourself. Ask yourself if life was really bad here would you not want your neighbor to help you if he could? Well, we are America, one of the riches neighbors around, and we can help. {What affects one directly, affects ALL indirectly!} Walk a mile in another mans shoes. It could very well have been YOU! What?!? 05/29/06 1:01pm To anybody whining about the loss of jobs due to people coming in from other countries and working. Nobody's taking your job. These people do the jobs that natives, oops, I mean 'Americans' won't do, and they do it for pay that natives, oops, 'Americans' won't work for. Furthermore, there is more than enough money to go around even if immigrants do come in and work. The whole idea that these people are taking anything from natives, oops, 'americans' is a fallacy to keep people distracted from the fact that we're all being overworked and overcharged for goods and shelter. How on earth could someone imagine that poor, crippled, homeless people could be a threat to this country? If we look close enough, we're realize that our own worst enemy is greed and hatred. Peace. Alan 05/28/06 4:00pm It would seem that the complaint lies with the fact that many of these people are recipients of welfare, free medical care, and other free services. That seems to be at the core of the problem, not their ethnicity. Ronnie 05/28/06 11:46am Unless you are native american or one of your parents or grandparent , native american. you have no rights to complan who come in this country. Annie 05/28/06 9:02am I agree with tina. send them back! they think they have rights, they don't! they don't pay federal taxes, they pay state. i won't call them american's untill they become one. they have taken our job's , have homes, they drive! what's up with that!? this goverment we as american's live under, should step up to the plate. the men and women that marry those people should go back to there country live. they can support them there. they don't fight to protect this country, they don't vote, yet they demand rights. they sould go home and fight for there rights in there home country! Ana 05/28/06 8:44am I am a teacher in Los Angeles. All my students are Latino from Central America. A great majority of the students (about 90%) are born to illegal immigrants. They all have free medical insurance generously provided by the State of California's taxpayers. They have free education. They have free breakfast (yes, before school begins they are provided a free hot meal at school), free lunch, and free after school snacks. Also free extra-curricular activities and childcare. Did I mention that many of their parents receive welfare? Yes. They are illegals and they get welfare checks and food stamps. I love my students, but I see lots of unfair practices. This is a huge burden on the taxpayers of California. And I'm sure it is happening all over the United States. As such, taxes in California have grown so high making it very difficult to run a small business here. The burden to pay for all these "free" services has taken a huge toll on the law-abiding hard-working citizens who pay their taxes and pay for health insurance, and meals, etc. This is causing a rift - a divide - that has the capacity to break down free enterprise and turn this state more and more into a large government type bureaucracy with heavy regulations. There is no such thing as a free lunch, and we're really starting to feel it. I don’t have the answer, but something really has to change to ease this growing burden. And by the way, I am Mexican-American 3rd generation. My family came here legally. Rule of Law 05/28/06 1:19am I agree with you Tina... well said. I am a big supporter of LEGAL immigration and don't believe people who break the law should be rewarded by cutting in line and given more solical benifits than hard working tax paying American citizens. This country is great because of its diversity and legal immigrants, and lets not forget that without the rule of law we have nothing. Tina 05/27/06 11:51pm I. am a native american and reside on the reservation, when my people where put here because they where considered immigrants in away they still had to learn to read and write the white mans languages, and where given no other choices. As a Taxpayer and small business owner I belive that if what was good for my people should have to be good for all that pass threw to this Country and learn to abid by the United States Constution which seems to be used less and less. We all have our own cultures but that does not mean that we should all be un united uder the flag in which we all stand by and protect. will this illegals sing up and go to war for our Country, will the pay taxes, will the conform to our Countries universal langauge, we have become such a bleeding heart country and greedy to the extent that our politicans think that by bring them into this country it will provide them with more votes. I have been paying taxes since I was siteen years old and most of these illegal immigrants are recieve more benifits then I will every see I my life time. I personal am tired of pay there way when it was ment to pay my way and others like me. Social Security isn't even going to be there for me when I at that age, and yet our goverment wants me to take cuts in this to so that we can give it someone who has only been in this country for 5 years and becomes of age. I don't think so, I personal will stop paying taxes and let them give me food and shealter for a change. I have been to thier Country and if they are so proud of who they are then why don't they try changing there own Country first before the come over hear and ask us to welcome them. I know for a fact and so do many other that if we where to go over there we would not be so lucky! for one thing they hate Americans. and second they expect you to comply with thier Countries ways or else.