Should illegal aliens all be made citizens?

[emaidel]

I guess there are two sides to every story, and this issue has certainly had its share of media coverage of each side. While I think it's a bit difficult to suddenly deport millions of people, I also feel outraged that those of us who are citizens (whether by birth, or by going through the tedious process of becoming a citizen) usually wind up paying for services for these immigrants.

I live in the Denver area, and we have a very, very large Hispanic population. Our public schools are loaded with non-English speaking Hispanic children, and our hospital emergency rooms too are often filled with non-English speaking mothers with their sick children, waiting for "free" medical service. I vehemently oppose bi-lingual education, and dislike having to subsidize those without insurance, but I can't bring myself to join the vocal crowd who want just to deport these people.

Several years ago a really bad hailstorm ruined all the cedar shake roofs in my neighborhood, and several roofing companies made a fortune through insurance payments to install new roofs. The roof for my house came in at a whopping $21,000 (entirely covered by insurance) and the roofer himself made a bundle by repairing dozens of homes in my neighborhood. Each and every one of his workers was an immigrant from South America, and few spoke or understood English. Yet I have to admit, I've never seen anyone work as hard as these folks did. I'm also quite certain that out of the $21,000 the roofer himself was paid, these workers saw very little of that money.

So, who'se to blame? The immigrants (who may, or may not have been illegal) or their employers who pay them dirt wages and make a fat fortune for themselves? Therein lies the dilemma.

[GMichael]

I guess there are two sides to every story, and this issue has certainly had its share of media coverage of each side. While I think it's a bit difficult to suddenly deport millions of people, I also feel outraged that those of us who are citizens (whether by birth, or by going through the tedious process of becoming a citizen) usually wind up paying for services for these immigrants.

I live in the Denver area, and we have a very, very large Hispanic population. Our public schools are loaded with non-English speaking Hispanic children, and our hospital emergency rooms too are often filled with non-English speaking mothers with their sick children, waiting for "free" medical service. I vehemently oppose bi-lingual education, and dislike having to subsidize those without insurance, but I can't bring myself to join the vocal crowd who want just to deport these people.

Several years ago a really bad hailstorm ruined all the cedar shake roofs in my neighborhood, and several roofing companies made a fortune through insurance payments to install new roofs. The roof for my house came in at a whopping $21,000 (entirely covered by insurance) and the roofer himself made a bundle by repairing dozens of homes in my neighborhood. Each and every one of his workers was an immigrant from South America, and few spoke or understood English. Yet I have to admit, I've never seen anyone work as hard as these folks did. I'm also quite certain that out of the $21,000 the roofer himself was paid, these workers saw very little of that money.

So, who'se to blame? The immigrants (who may, or may not have been illegal) or their employers who pay them dirt wages and make a fat fortune for themselves? Therein lies the dilemma.

In this case I blame the employers for paying them the dirt cheap wages. They should be paid normal wages that are taxed like everyone else. The employers are making a killing by raking in all the moola and not paying a fair rate to their workers or our country.

I just want them to fill out the paperwork needed to be here legally. It's part of paying their dues to this country. No need to deport them. Just hand them a pen and the forms. The forms come in Spanish too. Everyone born here has been documented. Everyone who came in legally is documented. These people are not. No way for them to be accountable for their actions. I, in no way want to be unfair to them. I just want a level playing field.

[shokhead]

In this case I blame the employers for paying them the dirt cheap wages. They should be paid normal wages that are taxed like everyone else. The employers are making a killing by raking in all the moola and not paying a fair rate to their workers or our country.

I just want them to fill out the paperwork needed to be here legally. It's part of paying their dues to this country. No need to deport them. Just hand them a pen and the forms. The forms come in Spanish too. Everyone born here has been documented. Everyone who came in legally is documented. These people are not. No way for them to be accountable for their actions. I, in no way want to be unfair to them. I just want a level playing field.

The ones speaking for them dont belive they should have to do anything except a snap of trhe fingers. Did you know Mexico kicks out more illegals then the USA does. Did you know if your Visa has expired they will arrest you. Did you know that if you become legal you can still be kicked out at anytime for any reason. I wonder how that would go if we just used Mexico's laws on that? 10-12 million illegal is just to much to send back and start all over. Secure the boarders first then do something like 3 years of employment and paying taxes and no troble then apply? I just heard a guy saying treat them the same way the whites were treated when they were coming here in the 1800's.

[GMichael]

The ones speaking for them dont belive they should have to do anything except a snap of trhe fingers. Did you know Mexico kicks out more illegals then the USA does. Did you know if your Visa has expired they will arrest you. Did you know that if you become legal you can still be kicked out at anytime for any reason. I wonder how that would go if we just used Mexico's laws on that? 10-12 million illegal is just to much to send back and start all over. Secure the boarders first then do something like 3 years of employment and paying taxes and no troble then apply? I just heard a guy saying treat them the same way the whites were treated when they were coming here in the 1800's.

I have heard that Mexico is stricker than us. But I don't want to blame the people here for that. I'm just against the finger snapping thing. No magic wands. Do it right. Follow the rules. Then they are more than welcome. I'll even cook them burgers if they stop by.