June 12th, 2007 By Justin Williams
Open Thread: Immigration
This week, let’s focus on a national subject. I was at a Parade Of Homes house yesterday evening and the builder was discussing the construction of the home with a group of elderly women who came in to peruse the house. Somehow the discussion came to the builder using Mexican bricklayers, and the elderly woman got incredibly upset because he supported illegal immigration by using them as labor.
It’s Evansville has a bit younger audience, so let’s hear your opinion. How do you feel about illegal immigration?
Use this open thread to discuss the subject.
Filed In: National News, Open Thread | Favorite This | Link
|
Tagging links in 
Tagging your photos on 
DISCLAIMER: The views expressed below are those of their authors and not necessarily endorsed or supported by It's Evansville. In all cases, the comments provided here are offered as a courtesy and will be moderated. Any content deemed off-topic or offensive will be removed without notice. Posting a comment here boils down to two things: 1.) Think before you type 2.) Respect the thoughts of others. See our commenting guidelines for more information.
Cody
June 12, 2007 @ 10:10AM
here come the courier people marching over with their comments i can see it now
SUPERBANANABOMB
June 12, 2007 @ 10:39AM
This country was founded by immigrants from all over the world. I understand that we have an economy to look out for, but still! Let’s just be clear and say MEXICANS instead of immigrants. You all know we don’t have a problem with Canadians hopping the border all the time. Mexicans have just as much of a right to be here as we do, but they should try to do it the right way and get legal, learn the language, learn the customs, etc. Especially learn the language. And employers who hire illegal immigrants need to be SHUT DOWN because not only is it ILLEGAL, it’s robbing legal citizens of jobs!
Jenna
June 12, 2007 @ 12:03PM
It’s true, Canadians can flood the country and we’d legally start changing the pronunciation of “about” to “aboot” and play both national anthems at all events. However you have Mexicans flood the country and there are waves of protest, the Great Wall of the Border gets built, and people curse learning the language.
Difference? Canadians are white, English is their 1st if not 2nd language (in some cases), and have the stereotype of being “us” but more north. Mexicans a generally not white, they speak Spanish (sometimes they know English, but many don’t—so, we don’t know spanish usually! my mom can’t even pronounce “hola”), and they have the stereotype of being “dirty” and “ignorant.” If people don’t like hearing that, sorry, but it’s true, sad and true.
We are a country founded on immigrants, but the only immigrants we are truly willing to accept are those from Canada, UK, Aussi/NZ, and Western Europe…..to an extent East Asia. Anywhere in between though—where they aren’t white, don’t often easily know English, or aren’t stereotyped as REALLY REALLY SMART—we have major problems with. If people have to come here illegally just because we don’t like their language or skin color—then so be it. As for the working situation, construction, yeah soooome American’s would agree to do that, but there are MANY jobs that American’s would never do, ever, even at the point of living on the street, that illegal immigrants will do because they realize work is pay and pay is support and being able to support yourself is pride.
It’s just a shame we make it easier for some people to immigrate here and make it so difficult for others. They may say it’s the same process, but we all know it’s not. All people from every background should have the exact same process, none easier or harder than the other. Señor Martinez from Mexico may not get into America while he is a manager simply because he is Mexican, while Mr. Kensington from England who is also a manager may get into America simply because he is British. It’s so true, and you know it. Liar whore, liar whore.
Joe Gleem
June 12, 2007 @ 12:42PM
Jenna, you make a very good point. We are very unaccepting of people of certain ethnic backgrounds and that does make immigration very unfair. (Look what we did to Jewish refugess during WWII) However, just to play Devil’s Advocate, that does not excuse the millions that have poured in this country from Mexico. I don’t think that every illegal has attempted proper passage into this country because many of them don’t care to. I also think the fact that so many have come illegally is also a strong source of resentment of Mexicans.
Emily
June 12, 2007 @ 02:56PM
Are you nuts?! When is the last time an influx of Canadians packed themselves into trucks and snuck across the border? How many Canadians are keeping people from getting jobs?
Your argument is so incredibly flawed. Changing the pronunciation of words?! How about making every sign in every major city bilingual to compensate for a group of people who want to be here without learning how to speak the language? Oh wait - we already do that. And I don’t think it’s for the French speaking Canadians.
And just because you wouldn’t want to work construction doesn’t mean plenty of people out there wouldn’t happily do it to put food on the table.
Sure, cultural acceptance is important. So why not accept the culture you are choosing to live in? I know for a fact that you have traveled to Asia on several occasions. Did you not take the time to learn some of the language before you arrived? And would you not continue to do that if you planned to move there?
The process is the same. You think it’s easy for Canadians, Europeans or Asians to come here? No! They have to pass the same set of standards as anyone else. Besides marrying an American the easiest way to get into the country is with a work visa. Legal work! Without proof of employment or a job offer from an American company or college it’s difficult for ANYONE to come to the US. Vias are’t just handed out. Even well-qualified applicants still have to go through a grueling process and some miss out on the opportunity to live here because they didn’t get a lucky draw in a visa lottery.
Why do people label a culture, specifically the Mexican culture, as lazy? Because when it comes to immigration laws and standards they are!
Kassie Parrish
June 12, 2007 @ 03:11PM
Jenna,
You make no sense! I completely agree with Emily 110 percent. I have a close friend who is Canadian and has to go through leaps every year to keep his VISA. Purdue has hired lawyers to help him out. There is so much I want to say to you, but I have been slapped on the hand. Kinda sad!
COlin
June 12, 2007 @ 06:04PM
I welcome any mexican to America….that can speak english,is here legally,and has something to contribute to America.And canadians are a whole different story.Look,idc who enters this country,as long as its legal and they can speak english.
Jenna
June 12, 2007 @ 08:31PM
Emily/Kassie
the mention of changing pronunciations was just a statement, not a real belief. Jesus Christ. It was an exaggeration.
I have several Canadian friends who have to keep their visa’s, and Mexican friends who do the same. Kassie, maybe they are hired to keep him out because he’s a fool? Most people wouldn’t turn their head if a van of Canadians barreled through the border—why? In all honesty, which you probably don’t believe or want to hear, it’s because they are white, speak english, and are stereotyped has having an honest background. A van of Mexicans does it, it is on the Fox, CNN, MSNBC, etc. But both are people, both could be the exact same type of person, but the Mexican’s get noticed, not the Canadians. Sure, Canadians rarely do, but just play “what if”—can you do that for a minute?
I also never said I wouldn’t work construction. If I were down and out and that’s all I could get—please, hand me the construction job. However, many American’s are living on the street, poor, hungry, and wouldn’t take a simple brick laying or painting job because to them it wouldn’t be good enough. I am not saying every American would, but many would. If there is a need for a construction worker, and no one else wants the spot—why can’t a Mexican have it? If a Mexican who is illegal, but is looking for work to feed their family, is willing to take it, while the American who is legal but sitting on the sidewalk in rags begging, isn’t willing to take it—why should you say no to the Mexican? I can’t see any reason except that he is illegal, and personally to me that doesn’t make sense b/c a person is a person—all around the world. I personally don’t believe a job should be denied on that basis alone—especially when a person is capable and has the need.
I have traveled to China, Japan, Korea—but I don’t know Japanese or Korean besides hello, thank you, goodbye. I know a little Chinese. But it was just a trip, I was there and left. I traveled to Quebec—I barely knew French, so? I was in St. Martin on the dutch side—I don’t know dutch. I went to Hawaii, I don’t know Hawaiian. My friend went to Cambodia—he doesn’t know Cambodian! If I were there long term, I would attempt to at least know the language conversationally. However, some of these people are working multiple low paying jobs for all hours of the day, just a few hours of sleep, they may not have time to learn English because they are trying to support their family and can’t afford a teacher or book—I find more honorable than learning English. Besides, does it hurt us to know a little bit of Spanish either? Which, btw, is quickly becoming the unofficial 2nd language. I would much rather that person work to support their family than learn English.
I PERSONALLY think it is easier for certain people and harder for other people to get visa’s. And I would never believe otherwise. I also think that if no one else is going to take a job, why not give it to someone who is illegal, needs it, and willing to work hard. Furthermore, if someone can’t learn the language because they are spending day and night working, and can’t afford to spend money on a class, book, or cd—then who cares, they are getting what is important done. That’s respectable. And with the amount of Spanish speakers in this country, I don’t see why Americans are so reluctant to learn even a little Spanish. Sure, some cities may have Spanish/English signs—but a huge amount of people wouldn’t know what that spanish said if it weren’t under the english translation.
CJ
June 13, 2007 @ 12:18AM
Jenna: you are sadly mistaken and misinformed about construction jobs. My dad retired from the construction business. My brother still works for the construction business. Being a painter and a bricklayer, as well as iron worker and operating engineer, to name a few, are jobs that are considered skilled labor and the pay is excellent. When employers hire illegal immigrants to do these jobs at less than half the pay, then those employers are cheating skilled Americans out of a job! Employers who hire illegal immigrants should be fined and/or shut down.
As for your comments about Canadians - the Canadians have border patrol on their side of their country! Or didn’t you read about the guy with TB who was allowed to enter back into the US because a Canadian border patrol officer didn’t think it was important enough to hold him? That officer has been suspended and could lose his job. I have had friends who have gone to visit Canada and they were treated very badly because they were Americans! Most Canadians speak French as their native language and English as a second.
The last four words of your first post show your immaturity. They were uncalled for and unnecessary to the subject at hand.
I have to agree with Emily - you don’t see Canadians piling into trucks and vans trying to cross the border illegally. However, Mexicans do just that. Do you know that a lot of them are promised a ride across the border and then put out into the desert with only one gallon of water? Sometimes that gallon of water is for five or six people! Have you ever been in the Arizona desert? One gallon of water will not last one person a few hours in 122 degree heat!
Here’s a good example of how a lot of Mexicans think about working in our country.
I went to Arizona to work on a construction site, doing data entry in a warehouse. While I was sitting at there completing my paperwork, several Mexicans came in. The first guy was asked his social security number. He rattled off a number and the employer’s intake person gave him paperwork to complete. The intake person then asked the next Mexican his social security number and he rattled off a number only one number different than the first guy! I heard this with my own ears! The intake person stated, (and I quote) “You two must have been born at the same hospital!”
How preposterous! The Mexican men just laughed and said, “Si!”
There were many Mexican men and women working at the construction site. I had more interaction with the women who were working in housekeeping. They were good workers and very friendly, however, they did tell me that most of their paychecks were sent to their families in Mexico.
So, not only are companies cheating Americans out of good paying jobs, the money that the Mexicans (legal or illegal) are earning, does not even stay here! It goes to Mexico!
And then, to top it off, the illegal Mexicans dare to stand in the streets and protest for their rights! What rights? They have no rights! They are not legal citizens of the United States of America!
Yes, it is true that our country, as we know it today, was founded by immigrants and built on the principal that it is the “land of the free.”
However, there are laws about becoming a citizen and until the people who are crossing our borders have become a citizen, then they should not be hired and they should have to go back to their country until they go through the proper channels to become a citizen. After all, there are those from other countries and maybe even some from Mexico that are trying to go through the process of becoming a legal citizen, and the illegals are taking away from them also.
Kassie Parrish
June 13, 2007 @ 07:45AM
Thank you very much CJ! That was basically everything I wanted to say.
Jenna
June 13, 2007 @ 03:37PM
as for Canada primarily speaking French (“Most Canadians speak French as their native language and English as a second.”), eeee wrong. Quebec yes, and the country is officially bilingual, but outside Quebec, English heavily dominates the country.
“Canada’s two official languages are English and French.
English and French are the mother tongues of 59.7% and
23.2% of the population respectively,[69] and the languages
most spoken at home by 68.3% and 22.3% of the population
respectively.[70] To become a citizen one must be able to
speak either English or French, and 98.5% of Canadians
speak at least one (English only: 67.5%, French only: 13.3%,
both: 17.7%).[71] English and French Official Language
Communities, defined by First Official Language Spoken,
constitute 73.0% and 23.6% of the population.[72] Although
85% of French-speaking Canadians live in Quebec, there are
substantial Francophone populations in Ontario and southern
Manitoba.”
According to Canada’s statistical info, 20 mil speak English only, while just 3 mil speak French only, and 5 mil speak both English and French
Your friends may have been treated badly, but whenever I have been in Canada, no matter the part, I have been treated very well.
I’m not SAYING go find the illegal mexicans so that you only have to pay 1/2 as much, and I’m not saying those jobs don’t need skilled people. But when a man living on the streets is PERFECTLY capable of taking that job because he is skilled and needs it and is legal….and he refuses it, but there is a man who is illegal, but skilled and needs it and wants it—why should it be refused to him. I understand what you are saying, that it takes away from Americans, BUT if americans are refusing an opportunity due to laziness or unwillingness, then why not get it to a person, a human being, who needs it. I don’t see that as wrong. Paying less, yes I see that as wrong, but not giving it to an illegal who needs it when the legal who needs it is refusing.
SSN’s can also be similar, I’m not saying those men were legal, but I’m not saying they were illegal. My sister and I were born 2 years apart, in different hospitals, in different cities, but our SSN’s are VERY VERY similar, only a couple number difference in them.
They are protesting for their rights as human beings, world citizens. And I agree with them, I don’t believe that they should be denied rights of a human being just because they aren’t legal citizens of a country. And as for sending checks to Mexico, nearly all the immigrants that initially came here sent money home to their families in Ireland, Italy, England, Poland, etc. There is nothing wrong with that. Absolutely nothing. I take $100 out of the country, fly to Korea and exchange it for Won, I spend the now 100, 000 won, all in Korea, and take no money back, I spent it there on food, toiletries, transportation. What’s the REAL difference. It left the coutnry and isn’t coming back.
I welcome the illegal immigrants. I first want them to try to legally come to America. But if they are turned away for no true logical reason or because they don’t know English or don’t have enough income or a job, I sitll welcome them into the country as illegals. I have absolutely no problem with that. If they take a job away from an American who doesn’t want the job—so be it! If they take a job away from an american because the Mexican is twice as qualified, then so be it! If they send money back home to their mother who is too old to work but has nearly nothing—then good, be respectable, I support that. If they work 3 jobs at all hours and don’t have time or money to learn English but they are supporting themselves and their family—then I support and respect that.
guess what, this is MY opinion, not yours. :-D
SUPERBANANABOMB
June 13, 2007 @ 08:02PM
Jenna, half the stuff you say is correct but the other half is based strongly upon “what if” scenarios. We have to look at the real facts and REAL probabilities.
Illegal immigration from Canada will never be a problem. At least not in the foreseeable future.
And also, how do you know it’s harder for a Mexican to get a Visa than a Canadian? You keep talking, saying that it’s easier for someone who is “caucasian” to get a visa, but do you have any proof of this, or are you just speculating? Also, it would stand to reason that it probably IS a lot easier for a Canadian to get a visa primarily because, if I am not mistaken, there are only so many visas granted to people from each country per ‘period.’ I am sure that it’s damn near impossible to get a Visa as a Mexican, because sooooo many other people are competing for one!
The law works both ways. A really good friend of mine who is Canadian was living in Louisville with her boyfriend, waiting tables at some cafe on Bardstown Road. Eventually someone narc’ed on her and her employers (who didn’t care) were forced to let her go and she had to go back to Vancouver. You literally cannot tell the difference between her and any other chick you’d see on the street, even verbally. Immigration laws don’t discriminate. People do.
I am all about human rights and equality, but I am about justice as well. There are a lot of bogus laws out there, but some are worth upholding - namely anything that tries to stop the flood of illegal immigrants into the U.S.
I am going to stereotype for a second. Judging by the things you’ve said and your general perspective, I can only assume that you’ve had it easy your entire life. I imagine you’re from Newburgh, no? Probably grew up in a nice, big house full of crap, 2.5 kids, fluffy dog. The whole nine.
Assuming I’m correct, you would not know what it’s like to be really out of luck. I understand WHY the Mexicans want to come here, but at the same time I am what would be considered “lower class” due to my income and I will do just about any kind of work to survive. Luckily I haven’t had to do anything tremendously back-breaking, but you still get my point.
These illegal aliens come in and take jobs from Americans. Look inside just about ANY restaurant in Evansville. Mexicans everywhere. Mexicans are hired all the time, illegally, and get paid jack shit because it’s better than what they’re used to. Plus, the American dollar is worth ten times as much as a peso. You could take $15,000 to Mexico and buy a super NICE house, easily.
These immigrant workers are not only taking jobs from people who need them to support their families - their LEGAL, AMERICAN families - and they are sending all the money back to Mexico, where it’s not being used to help support U.S. businesses at all. Don’t you see that’s a problem? It’s not like your silly Korean example. They aren’t here on a trip. They are here, living and residing. Big difference.
I welcome diversity with open arms, but I just want to see things done the right way. I have nothing against hispanics whatsoever, in fact I find hispanic women to be some of the most gorgeous on the planet. I also am all for moving towards a bi or multi-lingual culture. I just want to see laws that I support executed. I have a big problem with the government in general and I do not agree with, well, pretty much EVERYTHING they do… except this.
Jenna
June 14, 2007 @ 01:07AM
now see, THAT, is an argument—thank you superbananabomb!
(and btw it’s 3 of us kids and 2 cats—no dog til recently, evansville—but close!)
thank you for finally giving an argument that is logical, coherent, and not flat out stupid
and at that I rest.
his opinion, my opinion, yay!
Emily
June 14, 2007 @ 08:35AM
Just to address the language barrier, perhaps we could take a lesson from Canada. According to Jenna’s statistics “To become a [Canadian] citizen one must be able to speak either English or French.” Why? Because it creates less animosity and makes for an easier transition for everyone.
Now, I won’t go into attacking people’s specific upbringings, but superbananabomb is correct - people who haven’t had to struggle for anything need to be careful when they consider this topic. It’s very easy to assume that people can come here and live the American dream just because you or your family has, but the truth is that it’s not so simple. If you want to welcome the entire world with open arms, be my guest. But don’t get so into the peace, love and happiness kick that you don’t take the time to consider both sides of the argument. In theory, Jenna, you could be right. Maybe everyone should come here and just be one big happy multi-cultural, multi-racial, multi-lingual family. But that idealistic point of view lacks logic and reason.
Take one step outside the confines of Evansville, IN and you’ll see for yourself the repercussions of illegal immigration. Put the job thing aside. Are you aware that 30 percent of prisoners in the US are illegal aliens? What does this mean to tax payers? Well, it costs us over $1.5 BILLION dollars each year. Homocide. Rape. Theft. Gangs. Drugs. Illegal immigrants aren’t just bringing us tasty quesadillas and guacamole. They are bringing more crime to our streets and more danger to our citizens. We have enough of those problems with our own people - why add to it?
American citizens are fleeing their own homes in their own cities to escape the crime wave that comes with illegal immigrants. California losses more and more legal residents each year thanks to unsafe living conditions.
And let’s take a look at something that happens a little closer to home. Last March saw thousands and thousands of illegal immigrants marching the streets of Chicago demanding rights. They chanted “yes we can!” (in Spanish, of course.) It made national news and headlines all across the country. So, I ask you, what can they do? Demand things from a government that isn’t theirs? Break our laws? Contradict the very meaning of civil rights - the rights that belong to CITIZENS? Cost taxpayers more money?
You absolutely MUST look at the bigger picture. Illegal immagrants are coming into our country at a rate of thousands each day. They are occupying border states such as California, Texas, Arizona and Florida (primarily occupied by Cuban immigrants). These people are being counted in our census by a flawed system causing political representation to be shifted by people who can’t even vote! This poses a huge threat to our democratic way of life.
lauren
June 14, 2007 @ 02:56PM
if so many people are opposed to the idea of illeal mexican immigrants, those people should probably stop eating out because they are supporting those immigrants who wash their dishes, cook their dinners, and clean their tables.
true story.
Jenna
June 14, 2007 @ 11:06PM
Haha, thank you Lauren, I thought about writing that previously but new one of the two who despise me so would knock it. Haha, thank you.
Emily, do you really think that every person working at Los bravos (I know you love it) is legal? If they were, well shit, I’d pay YOU
lauren
June 15, 2007 @ 12:52AM
i’m not even talking los bravos! i’m talking basically every restaurant in evansville.
it’s easy to say that mexicans should immigrate legally on an open thread, but if i (if ANY of us actually) lived across the border in mexico in unspeakable conditinos with my children starving and my water supply littered with sewage and filth you bet i’d be hopping the border faster than you can say mario lopez.
yeah, it’s not “right” to immigrate legally, but it’s very understandable why it’s done.
Emily
June 15, 2007 @ 10:35AM
Yes, I eat at Los Bravos. They are close family friends. The Bravos are also here legally. Those workers who come illegally are often times deported. Can we do that to everyone? Of course not! Do I fault them or their business because of this? Not really. But that doesn’t mean that I agree with it.
If you would stop taking every thing as a personal attack on you maybe you’d see things a little more clearly. Once again, your comments are turning a very national issue into something small and local. And personal.
I can completely sympathize with someone who wants to come live in this country. And I support their right to be here 100%. But unless you do it the right way it is NOT a right. I am disputing the bigger issue, but apparently you aren’t capable of looking at that.
And on a more personal note (since you seem to understand that) I’ll have to double check with Justin, but I don’t believe he started this forum as a way for people to Jenna bash. Your opinions are as important to this site as anyone else’s. In this particular situation I’m just trying to point out that there is more to the issue than you are giving credit to.
If it is something that you passionately disagree with me about that’s fine - and it’s the beauty of being an American. I’m just asking you to please do the topic some justice and do your research. You can’t just flippantly throw out the idea that we should welcome everyone here and ignore the legality of it without having some reason to back it up. And you can’t expect people to not debate you.
Kassie Parrish
June 15, 2007 @ 11:43AM
Well put Emily, well put!
*Sigh*
Peacock
June 16, 2007 @ 07:36AM
I just want to say that this has been quite entertaining. I know many of the ladies commenting and they seem very passionate about the subject, as they should be. What did Canada have to do with it?
Kassie Parrish
June 17, 2007 @ 07:49PM
Jenna brought up Canada when she shouldnt have.
Jeri
June 18, 2007 @ 10:29PM
Ok, let’s look at this two ways. One being that my Fathers family came to Ellis Island from Ireland many, mnay years ago. The were quarentined for 6 months. They had to learn this country on their own and work hard to become citizens here. They starved, froze, burned in the heat and were cast outs to everyone who did not understand their way of life. Their morals, desires, lust for life, the foods they ate, the way they raised their children. It was horrible for them but they were steadfast and overcame. My Great Grandmother on my Fathers side died just days before she was sworn in as a citizen so her body was sent back to Ireland. It would have been her desire to have my great Grandfather next to her but he was buried in the states.
My Mothers family were Cherekee. Her Great Grandmother and Great Grandfather were alive when the last of the great massacres happened. The land they lived from was stolen from them and their people were slaughtered like pigs right before their eyes. Such immense pain and loss that many of their peoples simply gave up and became nothing to the world around them. So called Christians forced the Indian people to learn about God and forget their own religion.
I am grown now and I still ache at the stories passed down from generation to generation from both sides. I understand the pain that other peoples are feeling. The poverty. The hunger. Understand though, we have those same pains here in the States.
I am not saying to not let them here, I am however saying that there is no reason that most of these families are getting immense amounts of welfare, driving expensive cars, not paying taxes, and sometimes quite litteraly getting away with murder.
I have been in a homeless situation and watched some of these families be put before me and my children and they did not have as desperate of need as I.
They should be put through a better process of becomming a citizens here. The beaurocrats need to learn from past mistakes and we should all stop being hippocrates!
Emily
June 22, 2007 @ 08:46AM
Although this is kind fo a closed topic, I found a quote today when I was reading the news that I thought was interest. Theodore Roosevelt’s ideas on Immigrants and being an AMERICAN in 1907.
“In the first place, we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin. But this is predicated upon the person’s becoming in every facet an American, and nothing but an American…There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn’t an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag… We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language… and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people.”
candice roth
March 21, 2008 @ 11:24AM
You people need to open your eyes and understand the hardships and struggles that the “illegal immigrants” have to go through where they come from. If you could see that, then you would understand why they come here, and why they deserve just as many opportunities that we as americans do. Didn’t god say turn away no man? So, why are we turning them away? Because the government makes it so damn impossible for latinos to become citizens. Why do you think they sneak over here? They are just trying to make a better life for themselves and their families. And about the job issue…if we didn’t have so many lazy americans mooching off the system, like the welfare moms that have a bunch of kids and live off the government, then we wouldn’t have to hire illegal immigrants to do the jobs. This country says we are the land of the free and the home of the brave? Well, what is so free about having to live your life everyday scared to be deported back to a place where you do good to make $30 a week to live on…could any of you people live on that? Especially if you have children? I don’t think so. So, before any of you people wanna go and run your mouth about “illegal immigrants”, why don’t you take the time to sit down and talk with one the can speak english, and ask them why the came here and what kind of bullshit they have to go through where they came from.
Jenna
March 21, 2008 @ 05:52PM
amen, thank you! I agree
Rachel
May 24, 2008 @ 12:25PM
I dare any of you to go to the ICE website and check out the cost of immigrating legally and which countries have which rules to immigrate legally. Most of the people of Mexico don’t generally have the cash to pay for even the first application. Lack of money there is the reason they are coming here. DUH! Also if a person comes across the southern border and is Mexican and gets caught they are sent directly back to Mexico no questions, but if you are perhap Guatemalan or Columbian or any other nationality that is hispanic then you are put in jail and allowed a chance to appeal you deportation (with a lawyer if you wish) and possibly enter the U.S. legally. If you don’t want people here illegally then help to change the laws for entering the U.S. Otherwise shut up. You should ony be allowed to complain if you are willing to make a change
Me
July 08, 2008 @ 01:43PM
If you lived in Mexico for any time you would understand why they Have to come and let me be the first to tell you. IF IT WAS YOU AND YOU KIDS LIFE AT STAKE YOU WOULD DO EXACTLY WHAT THEY DO. For all these people stating how much peace they want and how free they want the entire world to be ….well everything stated goes against that and thats enough said.
I live in Mexico and have seen both sides of this issue for myself. I am from Evansville and have a home there also still.
I will support and understand any culture wanting to come into Evansville or anywhere because YOU WOULD TO but you dont have to THEY DO .
Come live in Mexico and see for yourself. Your views will change.