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?

[Sabertooth]

I cordially invite you to share your thoughts.

[Sir Gawain]

The DOJ is too busy going after file swappers to worry about a small problem like immigration.

[KayEyeDoubleDee]

We should start by taking away all forms of welfare support for illegals (if not all citizens). In fact, if it weren't for the nursing-on-the-teat-of-the-socialist-cow syndrome, I could care less who and how many people immigrate here. For instance, if we didn't have all these balkanizing multiculturalist driving a stake between us with things like bilingual education, I wouldn't care whether they couild speak English. They'd learn quick enough, if their paycheck depended on it.

I will disrespectfully ignore anyone who tries to pin 911 on "open-border free traitors" such as myself...

[robjna]

i support a swap program, we swap out lazy good for nothing americans on the tax dole for hard working illegals who help make our businesses run.

[flamefront]

NO AMNESTY.

Rather - get begin enforcement of the law, demand either people obey the law or be deported. No other way will stop th coddling of criminal illegals who now populate more than 25% of the prisons.

Next debate, consider internment for those who refuse to go and contiue to threaten us with treason or attack.

[realpatriot71]

What would I do? Create a new brach of the military, specific to a border control/police mission. Build a BIG ass fence - think berlin type of ("wall") fence (barbed wire, big trenches, open spaces in which can easily be seen by either gaurd tower, etc.), and have every few hundred feet manned by a real human being.

What I've described is what I would do "in a nutshell" of course there are many details that I didn't go into and deatils to work out, but I think it's possible, VERY possible.

[realpatriot71]

Sorry, I didn't sleep much . . .

Let me sum this up: "Amnessy?!?! We don nee no stinkin' Amnessy!!!"

[chadsworth]

I oppose

NO QUESTION ABOUT IT!

Politically Correctness jeopardizes the citizens of this nation. Illegal aliens are not citizens and pose a potential threat to this nation. Weed'em out and let them reapply after a thorough background check!!!!

[Boss_Jim_Gettys]

I think it is too easy and not at all interesting to say "I am against any and all forms of amnesty." Having been born in San Diego and having lived in Southern California for the first twenty years of my life, I have seen/heard about a lot to do with illegals from Mexico. This problem is obviously huge but I think a lot could be done to make things better for both our country and those who want to come to the U.S.

I have always believed that we must control our borders. It is both our duty and sovereign right. That being said, I think there is tremendous benefit to having workers who are Mexican citizens being allowed to come into this country to do those tasks we no longer want to do. Examples include farm labor, gardening, hotel and garment work, etc. A well-run guest worker program would be a win-win proposition. I would even be in favor of allowing a controlled number of those who work hard, pay taxes and keep out of trouble to apply for citizenship each year.

There are a myriad of reasons why this has not happened. Labor unions do not want cheap, imported labor, even if it is for jobs which none of their members will perform. Farmers and other businesses can easily exploit illegal workers with low wages, no benefits and poor conditions. We have either no ability or no will to truly contain our borders. Also, it is likely that there has been political pressure from Mexico to allow as many "peasants" to live here in order to take the heat off of a Mexican government that is unable/unwilling to take care of its own people. This was probably especially true during the Cold War when the U.S. government would have done anything to make sure a Cuban-style revolution did not take place in Mexico. And there are probably a hundred other reasons I have left out.

To answer your original question, I am against amnesty programs because it rewards the cheaters and encourages more illegal immigrants hoping to catch the next round of amnesty.

[Sabertooth]

I think it is too easy and not at all interesting to say "I am against any and all forms of amnesty."

As a matter of macro interest, I agree. Hoewever, I was trying to keep my own thoughts at the top of the thread brief and on topic, and be as inviting as I could be to those who might have a different view.

In regard to your other comments, your thoughts and mine are fairly convergent. I've been in California 41 years. Thanks for posting.

[old school]

"Texas was mostly hispanic before it was a Republic, so
many hispanics were Texans before my people were."

Much of the West and Southwest was "Hispanic" at one time. It was conquered and owned by the Spaniards and we either took it,(conquest)or bought it from them. But, just as the Phillistines have no "right of return" to Israel; the Hispanics have no right of return to "MY" country!

[Sabertooth]

Sorry, I'm not clear on your answers to my question...

Do you support total, partial, or no Amnesty at all?

Thanks, I'm gonna try and track the results of this non-scientific poll.

[gunshy]

No.

[bok]

Amnesty leads to MORE balkanization too.

Spanish Is OK Outside Classroom, Official Says

To: Chi-Town Lady
The language in America is ENGLISH! Always has been.

This is almost too funny to respond to. Should I chalk up this ignorance of American history to a public school education?

4 posted on 8/22/02 7:12 AM Pacific by drjimmy [ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies | Report Abuse ]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/737483/posts?page=4#4

[COB1]

What you and many others are proposing is a "bracero" type program we had in effect in this country for many years.
This program worked to everyone's benefit.
Illegals came into this country, worked for a specified period of time without welfare benefits, then went home to Mexico to enjoy the fruits of their labors.
This was a case of fixing something that wasn't broken.

[Travis McGee]

No, none, zero never.

Deport the illegals.

[hgro]

Hell no, they have to go!

[Travelgirl]

I'm with JohnHuang2 on this -- My position: No amnesty -- a 5-year moratorium on imigration.

I have a Mexican that rents from me and he asked me why we let so many illegals in. He came through the hard way..legal.

Since so many in the US do not want amnesty or such a high number of legal immigrants coming in each year, I would like to see a list of sponsors and legislation that entices illegals. Maybe we can help get them "retired". Does anybody have a list? If not, I'll try to make one.

[Sir Gawain]

Do you support total, partial, or no Amnesty at all?

Yes.