Quote Originally Posted by Smokey
I see my post got high jacked from legalizing drugs in Mexico, to immigration issue. So I am going to chime in.....

In my opinion, four issues should be address about immigration (legal and illegal) to get it under control:

First and formost, the borders should be controlled as to stop illegal crossing (this might be easier said than done).

Second, restrict and down size immigration from other countries, including legal immigration.

Third, give amnesty to undocumented aliens (after extensive background and criminal check). This not only be fair to immigrant, but also to business community. Amnesty will only work if the first above issue (border control) is also addressed simultaneously. One can’t work without the other.

Fourth, pass tougher law concerning hiring illegal aliens. Create a system where employer can check on the status of employee for work eligibility.
Smoke,
Amnesty doesn't work, we have tried this before in 1986. When we addressed this issue back then mass amnesty was granted to all illegals. I did nothing to stem the tide of illegals coming here, most refused to sign the necessary papers for fear of deportation, and lastly it spurred fraud on a massive level with false ID's and social security cards

I am personally against rewarding anyone for breaking the law. These people knew when they came here that it was illegal to do so. They believe that have a right to be here, even illegally. I do not want to reward this kind of mentality, I would like to correct it. There needs to be a dose of reality, illegals have few if any right here. They need to understand that this behavior of making demands as guests here is a big turn off.

On Monday I had a interesting ride home on BART. When I arrive in downtown Oakland there were protestors everywhere. As I was exiting a gentleman tried to hand me a flyer. I refused it. I thought at that point I thought the whole thing was over, but he continued to rant about me supporting latino immigrants. I explained to him that I am a son of a latino immigrant, and grandson of immigrants, but they came here LEGALLY. The didn't try and skirt the system, they went through the entire processes, paid fees, waited, waited some more, paid more fees, had doctor checkups, paid more fees, and were finally granted citizenship. I asked him does he think that illegal immigrants now here should get a pass when others didn't . I gave him this analogy when I told him this whole thing is going to backfire in their faces.

Let's say you go on vacation. I break into you house, eat your food, drink your beer, clean your house for 2 weeks while you are gone. When you return, I demand that you allow me to stay in your house because I cleaned it while you were gone. I asked him would you allow me to stay? He says no, and I said that is how I feel. I explained that illegals broke into my house, and are now working in it, and I want them to leave now. He says we do work that other won't do. I returned with I agree with a guest worker program, but no citizenship for illegals because they broke the law. He said that's not fair, I asked what's not fair. We are scratching your back, you are scratching ours, and we do not owe you any more than that. When the work season is over, you go home. Citizenship is for those who will go through the process, not for folks who jump over fences. He tried to cuss at me in spanish, I cussed back in spanish and surprised him totally. I explained that its this arrogance that is turning off the American public, and that they are rude guests in my country and walked away. We never raised our voices, but the intensity was there.