Posted on 04/08/2002 1:13:59 PM PDT by Fred Mertz
This fellow has put his roots down here. I think they should leave him alone and go look for the REAL threats. Government agencies like to harrass easy targets.
Therefore, it is incumbent upon American Citizens to protect this asset not simply through writing laws, but by enforcing those laws.
There are easily a billion people in other countries who have heartwarming, compelling stories as to why, perhaps, they are entitled to a better life. However, for the most part, our ancestors did the heavy lifting. We should reap the benefits. We have mechanisms in place to support immigration in a controlled responsible manner (although, I would argue, not a discerning enough manner.) These laws must be enforced.
Owl _ Eagle
“Guns before butter.”
I for one am maddened not by the notion that this guy is being unjustly deported, but that it would seem there are more important cases on which the INS should be working.
If he's here illegally, I have a problem with that - but we need to deal with this problem on a case-by-case basis. "One size fits all" laws are not the way to go on this or any other issue. If he's leading a productive family-oriented life and not taking any Uncle Sam handouts, he should be helped to apply for citizenship through the proper legal channels.
If he were a student studying here on a "legal" student visa, I would be more leary of him. I think 9-11 should teach us all a lesson - just because an immigrant is "documented" doesn't make him safe.
Come now. Congress would never pass a bill that would give allow illegal aliens to get amnesty!
Exactly. See my last sentence in #24. The INS worries more about deporting Cuban orphans back to Papa Fidel than tracking suicide bombers. The whole parameter of this discussion is skewed as long as we are suggesting what we expect a government agency to do. Do we REALLY think they'll get it right this time? I don't.
TRULY!
And should take effect in the applicant's country of residence and citizenship.
BEFORE he elects to come to America and voluntarily become a CRIMINAL-alien!
And/or, as in this case, CRIMINAL-alien/fugitive-deportee!
The Law's a bitch, it's True -- but only if you're a CRIMINAL!
That's true. But being UN"documented" -- AND a fugitive from deportation -- makes him A CRIMINAL!
There are people waiting in line that are nice also. We have an obligation to the future generations of our children to make sure that people are in this country legally.
No way would I go to his country and set up house without permission, and we have the right to expect the same courtesy.
Filipinos are good citizens, my sister in law is a Filipino as is my nephew (half). However, the idea that we should allow individuals the right to determine whether or not they should be in this country will produce very unacceptable results.
This must be thought out logically, and not based on emotion and anecdotal evidence.
Owl _ Eagle
“Guns before butter.”
Stayed in my own country and worked to improve things. Which is exactly what you and I are doing now...
Wanting better for your family is noble.
Umm...this sounds like an "end justifies the means" argument. Lots of people in Mexico are doing precisely this.
He was simply doing the best for them he knew how.
And if the best he knew (while trying to help his family) involved robbing a bank?
I can't condemn him for that.
I can. And do.
It sounds like he was one of the good guys. Better than many who have citizenship.
Then ask yourself this. If he'll break one law that he finds inconvenient, what will he do with the next one he doesn't care for?
Having said that, I will be sorry to see them go but we can't pick and choose. If the law is to have any meaning it must be applied to all equally. It sounds like they understand that.
On this point, we agree.
"I can. And do. "
You are a hard man, but sometimes people do what they think they have to. As long as the punishment doesn't out weigh the rewards people will still risk coming to America any way they can.
It reminds me of the story of the beggar in the Afghani prison. He had been caught stealing before and had one foot and one hand amputated. He was due to have his other limbs amputated as well. He said that it did not matter, they could cut all off and he would still steal because his children were starving. To a man as desperate as that even poor options must be considered.
He chose to break the law. He's a criminal. We don't "think" he's a criminal - he is one.
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