Replies

1) at the border. Make it harder to get in.

It is already harder to get in, but not impossible. Seems like the convicted felons that we deport somehow come back to join with their gangs. The borders need to be kept up, but I'll give the border patrol one thing - they're finally doing a better job. But how do you stop someone coming here through the border checkpoint itself? Mexicans are allowed to come into the United States to shop, to be tourists, etc. A reservation at the Disneyland Hotel and they have a foolproof method of entry.

2) the employer. Make it harder for him to turn a blind eye to the practice of hiring illegals.

There's no survey to back it up, but I'd say that the biggest employer of illegals are illegals themselves. You don't need to submit worker papers when you're being hired as a subcontractor, and faking a license is FAR too easy. Nailing those who pick up day laborers would be a great thing, except the courts have basically made it impossible to case those sites and nail the employers.

3) the illegal immigrant. Make the punishment for violating our laws hurt him. Whether that includes a fine, jail time, removal from the legal immigration process, etc.

Jail time? I don't want to pay for them in the first place, and now I have to pay $40,000+ a year per illegal? Fine them? Ok, if you nail the money in their pocket, you've got their nest egg. You've already said it - these people are already underpaid, what makes you think you'll get a successful fine? And as to removing them from the immigration process - they don't want to become citizens in the first place! They're here because they can make more money than in Mexico. They participate in their home elections through the consulate.

And just to clarify -- If the illegal problem can't be solved in California, forget about any problem working. Other states might have problems, we have an epidemic. Something that might cure the ills in New Hampshire will only mean you're giving the people in California a new place to go.

Any solution must address California specifically. Yes, like many things, we're the cause of the nation's ills. We're infected, and we'll infect you too unless a cure is found. Any new federal laws must specifically counter all the junk that the RATs have put into place in this state.

Officers here can not inquire as to a person's immigration state until they've been convicted. The criminals can't be deported until after they've served their sentence, and the bus to the border best be on time, or the illegals are free to walk away. No welfare or hospital in the state can ask about someone's immigration status, nor can they inform the authorities if it is discovered through a credit check that the person is using false identification or an illegal.

We nuked the head RAT, but our legislature and courts are loaded with them. We've got vocal groups ready to march, protest and scream at the drop of a hat. If Mexico wins a soccer game, we get mini riots. The problem is here, and the solution best arrive soon.

[But how do you stop someone coming here through the border checkpoint itself?] Good question. Wish I had a good answer.

[and faking a license is FAR too easy.] Subcontractors here must be licensed at the county level. While I am sure there might be ways to get around it, eventually they would be outed.

[now I have to pay $40,000+ a year per illegal?] They are cost more than that already. You said they are coming here for the money. They don't want to spend a year in jail. Maybe we could make the inmates pick strawberries :)