Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Ike aftermath lays bare U.S. immigration paradox
Reuters ^ | Thu Sep 18, 2008 | Carey Gillam

Posted on 09/19/2008 5:52:09 AM PDT by stevie_d_64

HOUSTON (Reuters) - The men gather early on street corners here in storm-battered Houston, ready for the jobs they know will come their way, sweeping up broken glass and clearing downed trees and debris from city streets.

They speak mostly Spanish, while looking warily at strangers. And these undocumented, also called illegal, immigrants worry that instead of a job and a day's wages, they might instead find themselves arrested and deported.

Indeed, in the aftermath of Hurricane Ike, which left a trail of destruction across southeast Texas, America's ongoing debate over U.S. immigration policy is again aflame.

On the one hand, the undocumented in the United States -- an estimated 12 million mostly Hispanic individuals -- are seen by some as a needed labor source, particularly after disasters like Ike turn communities to ruin. But many see the group as a drag on government resources who take jobs from Americans and deserve no assistance.

(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...


TOPICS: Miscellaneous; Society; Weird Stuff
KEYWORDS: alienilligals; aliens; are; attacking; cheaplabor; illegalimmigration; immigrantlist; immigration
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-36 next last

1 posted on 09/19/2008 5:52:09 AM PDT by stevie_d_64
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: stevie_d_64

Damned if we do, and damned if we don’t...


2 posted on 09/19/2008 5:52:44 AM PDT by stevie_d_64 (Houston Area Texans (I've always been hated))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: stevie_d_64
Armed with shovels and rakes, undocumented workers have played a role in clearing away the rubble of many of America's natural disasters, including Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and the wildfires that ravaged southern California in 2007.

I'm gonna puke. Yes. Without these invaders we would simply be helpless.

They speak mostly Spanish, while looking warily at strangers. And these undocumented, also called illegal, immigrants worry that instead of a job and a day's wages, they might instead find themselves arrested and deported.


3 posted on 09/19/2008 5:57:06 AM PDT by raybbr (You think it's bad now - wait till the anchor babies start to vote!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: All

I dont think is a US problem. It is a problem for illegals
who broke the law getting here. Send them home. No paradox here.


4 posted on 09/19/2008 6:00:40 AM PDT by mtairycitizen
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: stevie_d_64
are seen by some as a needed labor source

...are seen by some as a needed cheap labor source...

There. Fixed it.

5 posted on 09/19/2008 6:02:47 AM PDT by cowboyway ("The beauty of the Second Amendment is you won't need it until they try to take it away"--Jefferson)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: stevie_d_64
Stealing from the tag line of another FReeper, calling illegal aliens ‘undocumented workers’ is like calling a drug dealer an unlicensed pharmacist.
6 posted on 09/19/2008 6:06:13 AM PDT by Roccus (POLITICIAN.....................A four letter word spelled with ten letters.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: stevie_d_64

“an estimated 12 million”

That stat is years old.


7 posted on 09/19/2008 6:07:23 AM PDT by Sybeck1 (McCain to Obama, "You sided with those stupid conservatives to kill my amnesty!")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: stevie_d_64

Undocumented?

I “like it” when these “guys” conceal background and documentation, they call it undocumented. Do that when you apply for a job or an ID card, and you’re called an identity thief.


8 posted on 09/19/2008 6:07:24 AM PDT by JudgemAll (control freaks, their world & their problem with my gun and my protecting my private party)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: stevie_d_64

In the meantime, taxpayers will be supporting the thousands of people who worked low-wage jobs in the service industry in that area because “there are no jobs”. I had friends who lived in Mississippi and Florida who were deparate for work after hurricanes destroyed there place of employment. The companies doing the cleanup would rather hire illegals and pay them minimum wage (or less), and not pay taxes on them than hire legal employees.


9 posted on 09/19/2008 6:07:36 AM PDT by mbynack (Retired USAF SMSgt)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: mbynack
deparate = Desperate.
10 posted on 09/19/2008 6:08:38 AM PDT by mbynack (Retired USAF SMSgt)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: stevie_d_64
On the one hand, the undocumented in the United States -- an estimated 12 million mostly Hispanic individuals

How many years have we been hearing that number? Funny how they keep coming (by the tens of thousands every month) but the number never rises.
11 posted on 09/19/2008 6:09:53 AM PDT by cripplecreek (Voting Conservative isn't for the faint of heart.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: stevie_d_64

“On the one hand, the undocumented in the United States — an estimated 12 million mostly Hispanic individuals.”

And for how many years have they been using that 12 million estimate? At least six or eight years? Maybe they need to bump to at least 15 million.


12 posted on 09/19/2008 6:11:06 AM PDT by Will88
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: stevie_d_64

Concepts like the rule of law seem to be missing from the conversation.


13 posted on 09/19/2008 6:13:05 AM PDT by kabar (.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: 1riot1ranger; Action-America; Aggie Mama; Alkhin; Allegra; American72; antivenom; Antoninus II; ...

Houston PING


14 posted on 09/19/2008 6:14:09 AM PDT by weegee (Obama's a uniter?"I want you to argue with them (friends,neighbors,Republicans) & get in their face")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: stevie_d_64
With drivers' licenses and Social Security numbers as the keys to unlocking government aid, assistance such as emergency food stamps and help with temporary housing are largely unavailable for this population.

I don't believe that for one moment. They do get licenses at the DPS and are even allowed someone to READ the test to them in the event they can't read the printed spanish version. The illegals I've seen in my neck of the woods drive brand new trucks and dress nicely too.

15 posted on 09/19/2008 6:14:53 AM PDT by texgal (end no-fault divorce laws return DUE PROCESS & EQUAL PROTECTION to ALL citizens))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Roccus

Someday our politicians and law enforcement officers will decide to put these back alley laborers out of business. “If it saves ONE life...”

Meanwhile legal citizens in Houston are being fined $2000 if they violate curfew in their own driveway.


16 posted on 09/19/2008 6:16:29 AM PDT by weegee (Obama's a uniter?"I want you to argue with them (friends,neighbors,Republicans) & get in their face")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: raybbr

Puke all you want, but the Mexicans do work that no one else wants. What can you do to change that? Nothing.


17 posted on 09/19/2008 6:18:54 AM PDT by Kirkwood
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: Kirkwood

Puke all you want but breaking the law is still illegal.


18 posted on 09/19/2008 6:21:02 AM PDT by cripplecreek (Voting Conservative isn't for the faint of heart.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: Kirkwood
Puke all you want, but the Mexicans do work that no one else wants. What can you do to change that? Nothing.

Yeah, right. Before illegal mexicans we wallowed in filth.

Looks like another quisling in our midst.

19 posted on 09/19/2008 6:31:07 AM PDT by raybbr (You think it's bad now - wait till the anchor babies start to vote!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: Kirkwood

“Puke all you want, but the Mexicans do work that no one else wants. “

What? Like agriculture....where 3% of the workforce is illegal??? Funny, US citizens do all the work in my area, and the work gets done!


20 posted on 09/19/2008 6:53:57 AM PDT by AuntB ( "During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act." - George Orwell)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-36 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson