Oh brother. I do take issue with the notion that America will ever "become what these people are running from".
This country is much more than the poor countries in which these people are trying to escape.
"America and Americans first"???? Tell that to God.
And please get out your sandblaster and erase what is written on the Statue of Liberty while you're at it.
You have a valid point about our gift from France. If you think it says "Bring me your illegal aliens with no desire to assimilate and a wish to take advantage of the citizens of this country" Then maybe it is time to box it up and send it back to France. We have legitimate paths to citizenship in this country. Far more are taking the illegal path. We are a soverign nation and have let our borders turn into seives. Shame on those government officials who accomadate this!!! Shame on all in this country who do not oppose it's being over-run.
Sandblasting rich socialist Emma Lazarus's poem would be a great pleasure for me! It does not supersede the laws of the United States of America. Our Congress makes law, including immigration law, and those laws should serve the desires and interests of American citizens.
While I agree with the poem in spirit -- there's no denying the importance of *legal* immigration to the U.S. -- I have a hunch even Ms. Lazarus were she alive would heartily object to your suggestion her writing condones illegal 'immigration.'
Really? You need to pay more attention.
What is a Colonia?
Texas Secretary of State's Definition: The term "colonia," in Spanish means a community or neighborhood. The Office of the Secretary of State defines a "colonia" as a residential area along the Texas-Mexico border that may lack some of the most basic living necessities, such as potable water and sewer systems, electricity, paved roads, and safe and sanitary housing.
Among the border states, Texas has the largest number of colonias approximately 1,800 communities, with more than 500,000 residents. Sixty-five percent of all residents, and 85% of residents under the age of 18, were born in the United States. (aka Anchor babies) These Americans live in extreme poverty and often are unaware of the services that the United States and Texas can provide for them. Ninety-eight percent of the residents are Hispanic and speak little or no English.
(see photos - http://www-apps.niehs.nih.gov/outreach-education/News/spotarch/spot0503.cfm)
Welcome to the Colonias Home Page "One of government’s chief responsibilities is to help Texans with the greatest needs. The Secretary of State’s Ombudsman Program is a central part of our initiatives to assist needy Texans living in colonias. The program is helping to provide better roads, bring water and wastewater infrastructure to areas that lack these basic services, and improve the quality of life for some of Texas’ neediest citizens." - Governor Rick Perry
The statue of liberty is much closer to "Ellis Island" than it is to "The Mexican Border". I think there was some intent of placing it where legal immigrants could see it as they approached America.