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?

[FreedomFriend]

I disagree with the the escaping communism bit. Many will use that as an excuse to illegal emigrate to America, whether they believe it is a viable reason or not.

[Joe Hadenuf]

NO amnesty for ANY illegals. Enforcement of American law regarding our borders, and respect for our sovereignty should be the order of the day. Anything less is an abridgement of the Constitution.

I agree, but:

I have a feeling that in ten years from now, we will still be demanding the same thing, unfortunately by then, our borders will be viewed as a thing of the past, as the country nose dives into a complete, "free for all" of disorder, pandemonium, confusion and utter chaos...

[FreedomFriend]

What do you think of this way of making a living?

That's about right. I have subbed classes in which the assignment talks about areas becoming a desert by simpling cutting the trees down. They then throw in the, "We know that it is your job, but we need the forest. Couldn't you do something else" lines.

It's pathetic. Not only is it junk science, but it is rabid environmentalism and anti-worker.

[FreedomFriend]

Your apathetic attitude is why we're in the place we are. Your inability to see the whole picture shows that you really do not care whether this issue is solved.

Your opinion, frankly, is misguided, as it seeks to legitimize the breaking of U.S. sovereignty, not to mention it will only encourage more lawbreakers. Furthermore, your opinion that the U.S. should not be only a European culture shows that you're an avid multiculturalist, of which will sink America.

Just my opinions, though.

[rightwingreligiousfanatic]

I am not condoning an illegal invasion. I am saying, in effect, that since an illegal invasion has already occurred, what is the most practical, feasible, way to soften it's long-term impact on our nation? There is simply no feasible way to deport 6 to 13 million human beings from our shores; it will never happen. To me the best alternative is to ensure that those who want to stay, and work, and learn English, and fulfill the great promise of "e pluribus unum", should have some provision made to be able to do so, legally.

By all means, deport the criminals and deadbeats, but don't change the essence of the hope of what America has stood for to waves of immigrants for generations.

[FreedomFriend]

Are you in Gainesville? If so, they recently ran a news story on the graffiti showing up in the town, and how they were trying to clean it off the many buildings. Yet, they did not state that graffiti was not a problem prior to Gainesville becoming filled with illegal Mexicans.

[FreedomFriend]

Why is it doomed to failure, and who is against it? If you're talking about the anti-American slime Democrats and RINOS in Congress, than you may be right.

[gabby hayes]

My Filipina wife and I are in absolute accord: Do not reward those who don't follow the rules. As to legal immigration, a return to more historic levels is imperative, and a heavy dosage of assimilation is needed in our schools and other public institutions. Soon, if not already, the balkanization trend so evident in southern California will become more than an empty abstraction to residents of Nebraska and North Carolina. What's especially maddening about this entire issue is that it is almost impossible to discuss without being subjected to McCarthyite and career-limiting charges of racism, nativism, xenophobia et al. I like the spirit of your posting.

[agitator]

THE AMERICAN LIFEBOAT IS FULL. Sorry. No.

[FreedomFriend]

It's the creation of a New World Order.

[FreedomFriend]

I agree with you.

[FreedomFriend]

Do these illegals ever seem anti-American, or do they ever act like you are taking away their "rights"? Do they believe that the southwest belongs to them?

[agitator]

BTW, re: post 140, I hate jingo-istic Bill naming no matter what side it's coming from.

[FreedomFriend]

Again, you don't understand the long-standing consequences of what you're advocating. That facts are that your brother's experiences appear more in line with an emotional reaction to how your brother was treated. This does not, in essence, eliminate those who despise the United States, nor does it indicate their deep-down thoughts and ability to assimilate. They may be nice, but that doesn't mean that when push comes to shove they won't stand by their Mexican brothers and push for a secession of the southwest, or vote for the most anti-American LaRaza cadidate.

[hchutch]

If you bothered to look at Post 145, you will note I support all but four provisions of Congressman Gekas's act, plus I am in favor of a partial amnesty.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/737493/posts?page=145#145

In other words, out of the 52 provisions (by my count) mention in Post 140, I support 48 of them. Tack on the disagreement over the amnesty issue, and that makes me 48-for-53 on this issue.

I've also stated that I feel English should be the official language. Don't try to foist the multiculturalist label on me, either. I also think that you are grossly underestimating the capability of Hispanics to assimilate.

The question is, will YOU let disagreement over slightly less than 10% of Congressman Gekas's legislation (as outlined in Post 140) sabotage getting the rest of it?

[hchutch]

Your rhetoric on this issue will do far more to push them to that than any amnesty. But that's just my opinion.

[neutrino]

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?

I'm opposed to amnesties.

I suspect that the powers that be will grant one though...there seems to be a strong push to bring in ever more cheap labor.

[rightwingreligiousfanatic]

OK, touche.... I should have said "...don't change the essence of the hope of what America has stood for to waves of (mostly legal) immigrants for generations"

But I am trying to (at least temporarily) sidestep the legality issue and address the practical aspects. Be real, everybody! There will never be a mass deportation of 6 to 13 million human beings. Never. The invasion has already happened. It's too late to close Pandora's box for those 6 to 13 million. I agree there should be a moratorium on all new immigration for at least 5 years as we begin to try to sort out the current mess. But what is the most feasible and practical way of sorting it out? I have offered my $.02....

(Sabertooth: I guess you have to put me down for a partial, but really I'm not even advocating that. Amnesty sounds too much like getting off scott free, whereas I am advocating a process of working and earning their citizenship through some sort of assimilation plan...)

[Militiaman7]

It would have to be verified.