AMNESTY FOR ILLEGAL ALIENS? (a question for Freepers)

August 22nd, 2002 | Sabertooth

[Sabertooth]

This is a vanity post, let's get that straight from the start.

Perhaps the most vain aspect of it is the conceit that it might stay on topic, but I'm going to give it a whirl.

One of the more contentious species of threads encountered on Free Republic are those dealing with the subject of America's immigration policy, particularly with regard to the Illegal Aliens currently in our country. According a range of reasonable sources, the estimates of their numbers here currently here range from six to thirteen million. Whatever the actual count, there are quite a few people now in violation of American immigration law.

One subtopic that inevitably arises is the question of Amnesty:

Should all or some portion of the Illegal Aliens be granted an Amnesty and be thereby allowed to change their status and acquire legal residence in the United States?

That's the question I'd like to put forward to the members of Free Republic.

Almost as inevitably on threads dealing with this subject, flame wars erupt. It's not my purpose to instigate another round of that, they're rather predictable. So I'd like to ask that your comments, if you're inclined to share them, focus on the big picture of American immigration policy, with particular attention to the subject of Amnesty. I'm not interested in the stock and gratuitous divisiveness of race-baiting or referring to the President as "Jorge," or anything of that nature from any quarter. It achieves nothing, it's sulphurous methane heat with no light shed.

I'd also like to avoid ad hominem ambushes. I'm genuinely interested in learning the collective feelings of Free Republic members on this subject. If you're gonna post, I'd like to ask that you ante up with your opinion on the question at hand before engaging the discussion with others. No taking potshots from the obscurity of the sidelines. I'll post my opinion below at #1.

Fair enough?

So, once again, here's the question:

Should all or some portion of the Illegal Aliens be granted an Amnesty and be thereby allowed to change their status and acquire legal residence in the United States?

[WhiteGuy]

Taxed, We're on the same page.......

I did not cast my vote for gwb

I plan not to again.......

[VA Advogado]

One of the more contentious species of threads encountered on Free Republic are those dealing with the subject of America's immigration policy, particularly with regard to the Illegal Aliens currently in our country

They wouldn't be contentious if some in the hate immigrants first crowd would put down their burning crosses and admit that we all benefit from a diverse society that includes hard working immigrants.

[MistrX]

Send 'em back.

[Sabertooth]

They wouldn't be contentious if some in the hate immigrants first crowd would put down their burning crosses and admit that we all benefit from a diverse society that includes hard working immigrants.

Congratulations on posting the first hate-mongering troll-post of the thread.

[YankeeReb]

Not just no...Hell No!!! If they want to go to their country of origin and apply for a visa in the leagal way, that's fine, but this amnesty is a huge mistake. The only message it sends is , sneak in to the US however you can, work under the table, eventually you'll be given amnesty.

[dougherty]

No amnesty, period.

[Joe Hadenuf]

Of course Buchanan was right. This is very clear. That's why to this day, he is so hated by socialist, communist, America haters, the open border clan, globalist, and various other enemies of America......

[GmbyMan]

>>> I like your ideas a lot. Not perfect, but they're a very good start to solving the problem. <<<<

Thank you. What would you do differently?

[Re-electNobody]

Ditto what dennisw wrote.

[georgiabelle]

You know this thread is not really about immigrants but ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS. Do you also welcome with open arms these people that come here, breaking our laws, overfilling our schools, hospitals, and social services?

Do try to stay on the subject. ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS!!!!


hchutch:

I worked hard all my life to raise my children. ( I'm proud to say that one of them voted Democrat Tues. to help rid our govt. of McKinney.) Do you think that because I worked hard that it would have been okay for me to come to your home, enter ILLEGALLY, and take from you what I was not able to have in my own home? It's the same thing you know. If you give to one then you have to give to all.

Let them come into our country the LEGAL way. Don't reward them.

[GmbyMan]

>>> Send 'em back. <<<<

Out of curiosity. Does anyone see the practical problem with this or the fact that it would reallocate resources from more pressing needs such as killing Jihadists? In order to deport some gardeners, maids and farm workers? We can not deport everyone. It's not possible, nor is it practical as they would simply crawl back over the border the next day. Can't we all just try to find a solution which is easier and takes into account some of the positive contributions that so many of illegals present to our nation?

[hchutch]

In terms of your hierarchy, I'd simply set up a program similar to Prject Exile to deal with illegal immigrants who are committing REAL crimes.

Local cops find an illegal immigrant who is dealing drugs or commiting a real crime, they can call INS and get the deportation ball rolling.

Also, in setting up the guest worker program, there needs to be a window of time no longer than three months for people to register for that program. It needs to be short, and any guest worker program MUST also include English proficiency within a period of time as well.

Your idea is pretty good, though.

[WRhine]

Thanks Sabertooth for bringing this issue front and center on FR. Since the media refuses to cover the crisis of illegal immigration, this issue needs all the exposure it can get.

Should all or some portion of the Illegal Aliens be granted an Amnesty and be thereby allowed to change their status and acquire legal residence in the United States?

Absolutely NOT on ALL counts.

My reasons for being against any form of Amnesty for Illegal Aliens are as follows:

• Amnesty rewards illegal aliens for breaking our immigration laws and engaging in a range of crimes like identity fraud, document fraud and labor fraud.

• Amnesty only encourages more illegal immigration. Border Hoppers know that if they enter America illegally it's just a matter of time before they get Amnestied also.

• Amnesty provides an enticing opening for Terrorists to obtain Green Cards.

• Amnesty punishes prospective immigrants that dutifully follow our laws and wait patiently for admission while illegal aliens get what they want simply by crashing our gates.

• Amnesty breeds a general lack of respect for our laws and engenders an atmosphere of lawlessness in the country.

• Amnesty results in "Chain Immigration" whereby Amnestied illegal aliens are allowed to bring in their families thereby exponentially increasing the flow of immigrants into America and a never-ending chain for more immigration.

• Finally, the vast majority of Hispanic Americans are AGAINST Amnesty and Illegal Immigration! So just what kind of votes are Bush and the GOP going after by pandering to Hispanic Groups with things like Amnesty and Immigrant Welfare? Is it the Illegal Alien Vote? I’d like to know.

  The bottom line is that there is NOTHING intrinsically good about rewarding law breakers with Amnesty.

  If Mr. Bush and the GOP continue to push for Amnesties and remain silent as the immigration invasion turns our country upside down they have permanently lost my vote, my family’s vote and as many people as I can convince to do likewise.

  Enough was Enough 20 YEARS AGO!

[usadave]

AMNESTY FOR ILLEGAL ALIENS?

No! Not now or ever again!

[BornOnTheFourth]

deal with illegal immigrants who are committing REAL crimes.

If only the INS would deal with illegals who commit crimes (other than being here illegally, of course). I once called the INS and reported a confessed child-molester who was also an illegal. They did nothing.

[hchutch]

For child molestation, I'd call the local cops, and then follow up with a phone call to INS - but that's just me personally.

That is CLEARLY unacceptable, and whoever decided to do nothing ought to be on the unemployment line.

[WRhine]

Perhaps the use of UAVs could help, or we could remove the incentives (prosecute employers of Illegals after the amnesty period expires to the fullest extent of the law) to come over illegally.

Yeah Sure. Just like the employers of Illegals were prosecuted after the 1984 Amnesty—NOT! If our Government AGAIN chooses to take the easy way out of not enforcing its immigration laws by Amnestying Illegal Aliens it will NEVER find the discipline of doing it AFTER an Amnesty. History is quite clear on this.

You are being disingenuous in your arguments, though I know it’s not the first time you have taken this tack. Your case for Amnesty reminds me of the old saw on the definition of Insanity as: "doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results each time".

[realpatriot71]

How do you harmonize point 1 with point 2?

My thoughts were: we have a coast gaurd, why not a border guard. Who's main military roles is one of protection and police inside of a "border zone," rather than place kill-em-all army types. I think this is EXACTLY the way the army should be, but I don't think the army's mission coincides with a police action on the border

From Brownsville Texas to San Diego Calf.? This strikes me as 1 silly 2 futile 3 Not gonna happen.

Look, if we wanted to build a fence that long and police it with a real armed force we could do it. Don't kid yourself. If we really want to keep them from crossing the border, that's how we make sure. I agree with point 3 - it's never going to happen. But, the last time I checked, no one in power was asking me :-)