i emphasized ILLEGAL immigration because the candidate that i was supporting was focusing on the legal aspects (mostly the illegal housing issue.) the dems and the dem media turned it into a racial issue, branded the guy a racist, and he lost.
i don't know where most repubs on LI stand on the issue--i am really only aware of repub attitudes in huntington.
I don't think it should be based on legal vs illegal as much as it is based on taxpayer dependent vs self-reliant. The fact is most Mexicans don't have the education or job skills that they can bring large extended families here without many of those family members being dependent on government programs.
Many of the legal immigrants here are well past retirement age --- brought in by family members who sponsor them but never follow through with the financial support of them. Sponsors should be required to obtain health insurance policies for their immigrants and put up for all the costs associated with them or the immigrant should be sent home. Some illegals might not commit felony document crimes --- just work for cash but leave the family back home where it's cheaper to support them.
The truth is we cannot take in the 80% of poverty stricken Mexicans and give them a nice life --- it's time that country make some over-do reforms and change it's ways so more of it's citizens can make it back home.
It was an interesting story and anicdotal evidence that the issue of illegal immigration is not a good one to run on in your area. Thank you for clarifying your thoughts.