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Immigration Protesters Hurt Their Own Cause
Real Clear Politics ^ | 3/19/6 | Ruben Navarette

Posted on 03/19/2006 1:28:22 PM PST by Crackingham

It used to be that protesters took to the streets to build public support for their cause. Now they do it to show their strength. Instead of moving you to join them, now they want you to know that they won't be moved. That's especially true when the issue is illegal immigration. Around the country, immigrant-rights activists, illegal-immigration apologists and open-border advocates are protesting immigration reform efforts in Congress.

In Chicago, nearly 100,000 people clogged the streets recently in support of immigrants and looser immigration laws. Clearly offended by efforts to criminalize the undocumented, many protesters carried signs with slogans such as: ``No somos criminales.'' (We're not criminals.) Not to be overly technical, but if the person holding the sign came into the United States illegally, then he or she most certainly is a lawbreaker. This part isn't complicated. There are federal immigration laws on the books governing the proper way for one to enter the United States, and, every year, more than a million people break those laws by entering the wrong way. Ergo, these people should be considered criminals.

Those who believe otherwise have one leg to stand on. For the time being, the fact that one is in the United States without the proper documents is only a civil violation. That's a technicality that deserves to be changed. The Border Protection, Anti-Terrorism, and Illegal Immigration Control Act -- co-sponsored by James Sensenbrenner, R-Wis., and Peter King, R-N.Y., and passed by the House in December -- would do that. Don't misunderstand. The bill is deeply flawed. It ducks the tough question of what to do with the 12 million illegal immigrants already here, and it makes clergy, charities and social workers into criminals by expanding the definition of ``smuggling'' to include anyone who ``assists'' an illegal immigrant. But the part about making unlawful presence a crime seems like a reasonable concession. It's also the part that many in the immigrant-rights movement are angry about.

It's fascinating. Many illegal immigrants and their advocates really seem to believe that if you enter the country illegally but then keep your nose clean and never break another law, it's like you never entered illegally in the first place. You're the equivalent of an upstanding citizen.

There's the problem. Everyone has an opinion on illegal immigration. But on both sides, whether you're talking about immigration restrictionists or open-border advocates, no one wants to be honest and admit the obvious.

On the right, they'll never admit that younger Americans in particular have lost their work ethic, or that much of the angst over illegal immigration comes from the clash of cultures. On the left, they'll never admit that the undocumented did anything wrong in coming here, or that the United States has the right to protect the sovereignty of its borders.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Editorial; Foreign Affairs; Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: aliens; iilegalaliens; illegalimmigration; immigrantlist; immigration
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1 posted on 03/19/2006 1:28:28 PM PST by Crackingham
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To: Crackingham

It isn't real helpfull for them to hold signs claiming they're "Taking America back". Even liberals are a little nervous about that one.


2 posted on 03/19/2006 1:31:01 PM PST by cripplecreek (Never a minigun handy when you need one.)
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To: Crackingham

The BIG problem remains a government, with an executive that is PRO-illegal immigration and is setting a horrid example for this nation, that will not do anything about the problem. Clearly until Washington starts working again for the people that put these pols there, will there be any change to status-quo, vote-generating law-breaking encouragement from and in Washington.


3 posted on 03/19/2006 1:31:56 PM PST by EagleUSA
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To: cripplecreek

If only the liberals were nervous about that. Nope the liberals welcome such sentiments.


4 posted on 03/19/2006 1:33:39 PM PST by mthom
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Comment #5 Removed by Moderator

To: mthom

I'm surrounded by liberals, and not one of them likes the flood of illegals.


6 posted on 03/19/2006 1:40:57 PM PST by monkeywrench (Deut. 27:17 Cursed be he that removeth his neighbor's landmark)
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To: mthom

My liberal relatives don't seem too interested in handing the country over to anybody. My liberal uncle even spends extra money to do background checks to make sure the immigrants he hires are legal.


7 posted on 03/19/2006 1:44:47 PM PST by cripplecreek (Never a minigun handy when you need one.)
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To: cripplecreek
It isn't real helpfull for them to hold signs claiming they're "Taking America back".

Which is why they should be encouraged to keep on holding up signs like that.

Also, the more Mexican flags waving at their protests, the better.

8 posted on 03/19/2006 1:44:59 PM PST by DumpsterDiver
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To: Crackingham; Gelato
In Chicago, nearly 100,000 people clogged the streets recently in support of immigrants and looser immigration laws.

More like 'no immigration laws'.

The first time they marched last year in Chicago it was about 10,000 (organized by self-identified communists).

Not ONE peep from the English-speaking Illinois or national media.

This time there were 100,000. The reporting in the press was what I would call muted. They couldn't totally ignore it, but they sure didn't give it the play it deserved. Not even close.

The situation in LA and Chicago should be a wakeup call for America.

9 posted on 03/19/2006 1:45:23 PM PST by EternalVigilance ("After all I've done for you people!!!" -John McCain)
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To: monkeywrench
I'm surrounded by liberals, and not one of them likes the flood of illegals.

That's why HONEST polling done on this issue shows overwhelming support in BOTH parties and among independents for solving the problem.

10 posted on 03/19/2006 1:46:58 PM PST by EternalVigilance ("After all I've done for you people!!!" -John McCain)
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To: Crackingham

Wetbacks use to be welcomed...these days with their militant stances who needs them.


11 posted on 03/19/2006 1:48:37 PM PST by shield (Ecc 10:2 A wise man's heart is at his RIGHT hand; but a fool's heart at his LEFT.)
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To: DumpsterDiver

This is THE issue I part company with the GOP. I will support the first party or candidate, with mmy time money and votes that is serious about stopping illegal immigration and real border control. Nothing else will matter if we don't get this under control and very soon.


12 posted on 03/19/2006 1:48:58 PM PST by Kozak (Anti Shahada: " There is no God named Allah, and Muhammed is his False Prophet")
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To: bill1952
Wow...use donations to have ads in newspapers and magazines that feature these pictures.

It will increase support for the Minutemen tenfold. Wouldn't these pictures be great in negative ads against politicians who support the invasion?

(I'd consider it a worthy cause to support financially)

13 posted on 03/19/2006 1:52:48 PM PST by grania ("Won't get fooled again")
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Las Vegas Faces Labor Shortage
14 posted on 03/19/2006 1:55:44 PM PST by Ben Ficklin
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To: Crackingham

much of the angst over illegal immigration comes from the clash of cultures

In New Zealand sentences like this will get you classified as a leftist lunatic. Even the New Zealand Labour Party, officially a member of Socialist International and headed by a Prime Minister to the left of Hillary Clinton, is to the right of the author on this statement.

15 posted on 03/19/2006 1:57:22 PM PST by NZerFromHK (Leftism is like honey mixed with arsenic: initially it tastes good, but that will end up killing you)
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To: EternalVigilance
the 'Rule of Law' is well on its way to being history in this nation. I have seen part of my family pack up and leave this nation for that reason. I may be next to take my family and leave. A nation cannot survive without borders. Ronald Reagan warned us. We failed to listen. The last amnesty for illegals was to be President Reagan's amnesty, now we have common criminals in our streets demanding more from the taxpayers. All heck is about to happen, and believe me, the illegals here are well armed and well funded. If we attempt to move them out, we will find open warfare in the streets. We may see open warfare in our streets because of our lack of enforcing immigration law, either way the US citizens will lose. I can point out entire towns in this nation that have more illegal people in the town than legal residents of the town. This was a well thought out plan by the politicians and we the citizens will pay because we allowed the illegal migration. 9-11 was a pin prick compared to what awaits us. I do not look forward to that day, week, or year. I will hope my family is out of this nation before that day, week, or year, but as fate would have it, there may be no place to go, where the effect will not be felt.
16 posted on 03/19/2006 2:03:05 PM PST by no-to-illegals (by politicians means, come to America, your money from the taxpayer is waiting.)
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To: Crackingham
Don't misunderstand. The bill is deeply flawed... it makes clergy, charities and social workers into criminals by expanding the definition of ``smuggling'' to include anyone who ``assists'' an illegal immigrant.

how is that a "flaw"?

17 posted on 03/19/2006 2:03:50 PM PST by King Prout (DOWN with the class-enemies at Google! LONG LIVE THE PEOPLE'S CUBE!)
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To: Ben Ficklin
LAS VEGAS -- A 'material lack of qualified labor in Las Vegas over the next several years' threatens new casinos and high-rise condominiums being developed here, a Deutsche Bank study found.

This excerpt is from the article you cited in GAMING NEWS.

Hmmmmmm.....let's put this in perspective. US citizens spend a disproportionate amount of time in casinos....gambling, partying, and being waited on. There aren't enough citizens to cater to their whims. So, we need foreign labor to pour their drinks and provide their food? Too many people playing, not enough left to do the work?

And just how does this differ from Nero fiddling while Rome burned?

18 posted on 03/19/2006 2:04:38 PM PST by grania ("Won't get fooled again")
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To: grania
If Vegas doesn't appeal to you,

Shortage of Truck Drivers Showing Up in the Oilfields

19 posted on 03/19/2006 2:14:33 PM PST by Ben Ficklin
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To: grania
More:

I do not see how the politicians could never see these signs.

- They just aren't doing anything unless we force the issue at the grassroots level

20 posted on 03/19/2006 2:56:30 PM PST by bill1952 ("All that we do is done with an eye towards something else.")
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