[poll id=”126″]
Will President Barack Obama follow in the footsteps of President Ronald Reagan and pass another amnesty for immigrants? I hope so. I believe this would be a HUGE economic stimulus as it would bring millions of people out of the shadows and allow them to open bank accounts and buy cars and houses.
I believe that Obama and the Democrats in Congress will indeed give us another amnesty. But it won’t be a free ride. The San Francisco Chronicle published what Obama had to say at the Orange County townhall meeting this week regarding immigration:
As many of you know, during the campaign I was asked repeatedly about this, and I reiterated my belief that we have to have comprehensive immigration reform.
Now, I know this is an emotional issue, I know it’s a controversial issue, I know that the people get real riled up politically about this, but — but ultimately, here’s what I believe: We are a nation of immigrants, number one.
Number two, we do have to have control of our borders. Number three, that people who have been here for a long time and put down roots here have to have some mechanism over time to get out of the shadows, because if they stay in the shadows, in the underground economy, then they are oftentimes pitted against American workers.
Since they can’t join a union, they can’t complain about minimum wages, et cetera, they end up being abused, and that depresses the wages of everybody, all Americans.
So I don’t think that we can do this piecemeal. I think what we have to do is to come together and say, we’re going to strengthen our borders — and I’m going to be going to Mexico, I’m going to be working with President Calderón in Mexico to figure out how do we get control over the border that’s become more violent because of the drug trade. We have to combine that with cracking down on employers who are exploiting undocumented workers.
We have to make sure that there’s a verification system to find out whether somebody is legally able to work here or not. But we have to make sure that that verification system does not discriminate just because you’ve got a Hispanic last name or your last name is Obama.
You’ve got to..say to the undocumented workers, you have to say, look, you’ve broken the law; you didn’t come here the way you were supposed to. So this is not going to be a free ride. It’s not going to be some instant amnesty.
What’s going to happen is you are going to pay a significant fine. You are going to learn English. You are going to — you are going to go to the back of the line so that you don’t get ahead of somebody who was in Mexico City applying legally.
But after you’ve done these things over a certain period of time you can earn your citizenship, so that it’s not — it’s not something that is guaranteed or automatic. You’ve got to earn it. But over time you give people an opportunity.
Now, it only works though if you do all the pieces. I think the American people, they appreciate and believe in immigration. But they can’t have a situation where you just have half a million people pouring over the border without any kind of mechanism to control it. So we’ve got to deal with that at the same time as we deal in a humane fashion with folks who are putting down roots here, have become our neighbors, have become our friends, they may have children who are U.S. citizens.That’s the kind of comprehensive approach that we have to take.
What a mess we’ve created. A few years ago I was trying to help a few of my top students, who didn’t have legal residency here, get into college. I asked them, as well as they could estimate, what percent of students here had their status — they estimated 1 out of 3. (The schools don’t check this.) These students broke no U.S. law being brought here as children, and know no other home but Santa Ana, California. A lot of my grads are in their 30’s now – schooled in the U.S., pledging allegience to the U.S. each morning, Americans in every way except in the minds of the ignorant.
But what about the parents who did break immigration law coming here? Take look at the names of the young soldiers and Marines showing up in obituary column of the LA Times (check this: http://projects.latimes.com/wardead/ ) . You can be certain that many of these have parents and siblings without legal residency status. What do we tell these young American born warriors? “Thanks for fighting for your country, but we’re going to try to deport your family.”
What a mess we’ve created.
These people should be granted amnesty immediately.
Of course, the Reeps in the last Congress killed a bill about that. Yet another one of their bogus “family values” things…
no way jose , no way little joe coming from you dose not surprise me your thinking of rewarding law breakers is amazing get in line with everyone else , we need more raids asta la vista to you go back home and come in here the way your suppose too . and stop taking $$$$ from us the tax payers
Little one: These people who got brought in by their parents are not law breakers. They didn’t have a say in it.
Your little mind if apparently not able to grasp even such simple things.
And with an amnesty, they would give back to the country, with taxes. So, as usual, you got it completely wrong.
What a joke you liberals are. Anything to get what you want. First, the kids are the children of Mexican invaders with no right to be here. In turn they have to go also. See the 13and 14 Amendment. It’s a little fruitless to continue to argue about this issue as it will never happen. In 2012 the new President will be elected on standing against all this Socialist President has tried to do. Might as well pack your bags again. Everyone knows the mess Regan caused when he gave amnesty. Adio’s get back to your own country and revolt there for your benefits.
yes …. amnesty is the answer… go obama
If you want to help the “(illegal) immigrant” , dig deep into your pocket and give your money to the fund that pays the $1,000’s in application fees and attorneys costs for these people to get their documents.
Or head the mess off at the pass, and “Identify” the children of “(illegal) immigrant” in the school system.
These kids should be taking citizenships classes along with the civics classes so when they graduate high school, they become US citizens instead of “(illegal) immigrant”.
ahh little joe mr let them all in reconquista . next you will be saying the usual blah blah of it breaks up the family . well its their fault they are here illegaly . they broke the law something little joe cant get in his small brain . speaking of joe , you should agree with the great joe = SHERRIF JOE IN ARIZONA a real american hero = unlike cali he puts ILLEGALS IN JAIL .
Little one: Sheriff Joe is being investigated. He will soon be ex-Sheriff. Like you, he is a racist idiot.
right from the first page of the liberal reconquista playbook . when you have nothing just call him a racist .
Oh little one, you are so clueless… continue living in your fantasy world…
Here is something for you to chew on:
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gEqjSkLk56TOS7j2AI4sYKPfcP3gD96RIBPG0
“The U.S. Justice Department said in a letter to Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio that investigators will focus on alleged patterns of police discrimination based on national origin.”
“discrimination based on national origin”, in other words, racism.
And despite Sheriff Arpaio’s statement that he “has nothing to hide”, he doesn’t want to testify before Congress: http://cnsnews.com/public/content/article.aspx?RsrcID=45078
Seems he has something to hide after all, e.g., his “discrimination based on national origin”…
Joe, does target of federal probe, also mean that he is guilty without a trail or testimony?
I read nothing in the two links that even leans towards wrongful activity.
Art,
Are you sure you are not a Democrat?
If you are not then why would you want Obama to pass amnesty so that all these illegals will vote for Democrats! Hello! Compared to what is going on in Mexico I am sure any illegal would be happy with the Democrats Socialist agenda. Especially since the average Adult illegal from Mexico or Central America doesn’t have more then a 3rd grade education. How is that going to help our Country. We already know that more then 50% of the jobs that illegals are hired to do are by homeowners who pay them cash under the table. If they become legal do you think they are going to decide to take a regular job paying less money and having to pay taxes? Of course not. They are going to continue working for the cash. I know a nice young lady from Mexico who was illegal here working as a Nanny in Beverly Hills and making tons of cash which she kept under her mattress. Since as a Nanny she didn’t have any living expenses. When she finally married her American husband they used this cash to put a $50,000 down payment on their $800,000. house in Huntington Beach. That is B.S. They break the law coming over here and then they break the law again not paying their fair share of taxes. Also of these illegals get her legally and then over stay their visas. I have met quite a few that have done this. They then get an immigration lawyer who helps get them legal status. So, there are thousands if not millions of illegals in the Country who have attain legal status either thru marriage or using a lawyer. So, we don’t need the amnesty Fart. I mean Art.
#12,
That nanny was pretty smart, wasn’t she? She must have known the banks were going to collapse. And who knows how many folks in Beverly Hills lost millions betting on Bernie Madoff. The mattress, in hindsight, was a safer way to go.
Now that she owns a house I am sure she is paying plenty of taxes. You should be happy for her.
I say yes he should pass an amnesty, because these people pay taxes like me and you and should be given a fair chance in life. How would you have liked it if it was your mother or one of your family members.
I think it is time for all the illegal students to have at least a way to become an american citizen.It’s going to be tough for the congress, but they got to do something about it. I am no ignorant I believe that all humans should help eachother.
DONT YOU GET IT , ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS ARE LAW BREAKERS AND THEY ARE RUINING WHAT WAS ONCE NICE NEIGHBOURHOODS..I KNOW I LIVE AND WORK IN LOS ANGELES AND SEE FIRST HAND THE DESTRUCTION THEY ARE CAUSING OVER CROWDING SCHOOLS ,SPEAKING SPANISH ALL THE TIME THEY DONT WANT TO ASSIMULATE INTO AMERICAN SOCIETY,MEXICANS ARE THE WORSE OFF ALL PLAYING LOUD MUSIC ALL THE TIME,ABUSING ANY FREE SERVICE THEY CAN!! YES I KNOW I SEE IT EVERYDAY HOW THOSE COCKROACHES ARE BLEEDING CALIFORNIA AND OTHER STATES DRY,AND DONT SAY I AM A RACIST AS I HAD NOT EVEN MET A MEXICAN BEFORE I CAME TO LA!! NO AMNESTY TAKE AWAY RIGHT OF ANCHOR BABIES THEY ALL GET PREGNANT AND THEN BLEED OUR SOURCES DRY.GET THEM THE HELL OUT OFF HERE THEY ARE NOT WANTED OR NEEDED.
Late at night, folks get on the blog and their CAP LOCKS GET STUCK. HOW DO THEY END UP ALWAYS ON POSTS FROM MONTHS AGO SOMETIMES YEARS AGO. WHO KNOWS. IT IS THE AMAZING MAGIC OF THE AMERICAN GENIUS THAT GOT US TO WHERE WE ARE IN THE WORLD AND WHAT MAKES US SO DAMN SUPERIOR TO EVERY OTHER RACE IN THE UNIVERSE. ONE THINGWE KNOW FOR SURE IS THEY ARE VERY PROUD OF THEMSLEVES FOR PUTTING IN A GOOD WORD FOR THEIR RACE THE WHITE RACE THAT SPEAKS ENGLISH AND KEEPS THE CAP LOCKS ON WHILE LETTING US KNOW HOW STOOPID THE OTHER RACES ARE THAT GOT HERE TO LATE OR TO EARLY AND GET THEM OUT OF HER THERE NOT WANTED OR NEEDED.
WERE NOT WANTED OR NEEDED FOOL PLEASE… MAYBE YOU DONT WANT US BUT U DEFENITLY NEED US WHAT THE HELL WOULD U EAT OR WEAR IF AMERICA DIDNT HAVE MEXICANS???WE DO EVREYTHING FOR THIS COUNTRY YEA I KNOW THERE ARE SOME OF MY PEOPLE WHO BREAK THE LAW AND ‘THAT DONT PAY TAXES BUT I DO I OBEY THE LAW AND PAY TAXES AND ITS NOT ONLY US MEXICANS THAT BREAK THE LAW HOW ABOUT ALL THE AMERICANS THAT USE DRUGS AND STEAL ??? WHERE I LIVE THERE ARE MOSTLEY WHITES AND ALL I SEE IS CRACK HEADS , PROSTITUTION, AND PEOPLE WHO DONT TAKE CARE OF THERE KIDS SO MAY BE YOU SHOULD CHECK YOUR PEOPLE CAUSE MOST OF THEM ARE WHITE PEOPLE AND BREAKING THE LAW AND MOST OF THEM BE SHOOTING UP SCHOOLS KILLING OUR KIDS AND PEOPLE SO U NEED TO STOP WORRING ABOUT MEXICANS AND WORRY ABOUT THEM WHITE PPL SHOOTING UP OUR SCHHOLS WHO ARE BREAKING THE LAW SO DNT COME AND CLOWN ON US IF U ALL AINT PERFECT DONT JUDGE ALL MEXICANS VIVA MEXICO AND I SAY IT PROUDLY THEY CANT DEPORT US ALL…. AND L.A WAS MEXICO IF YOU DNT LIKE WHAT U SEE IN L.A MOVE…. CAUSE WE ARE HUMAN JUST LIKE U AND US COCKAROACHES MMMMMM… U ARE RACIST AND ITS PEOPLE LIKE YOU THAT MQAKE PPL HATE UR RACIST ASS AINT WORTH OUR TIME… THANK YOU AND I AM MEXICAN – AMERICAN BORN IN THE UNITED STATES ….
Well I will knock my cap lock off, opinion has not changed Illegal immigration is wrong and should not be rewarded! No Amnesty as this like 1986 Amnesty will only send asignal that hell yes you can rake our immigration laws wait long enough then be rewarded with Amnesty, and for your tiny thoughts Julie my wife is Latin I have no problem with latins ,blacks ,chinese, whatever my beef is with aw breakers and sorry but the vast Majority of illegals are Mexican and dont you talk bull about whites as if this country was not built on the riches of white industriual men then the third world countrys would not be here grabbing what they can ,and if you look at the statistics most crimes in southern California and many other southern states are commited by Hispanic and black gangs and this is not racist its a FACT!!!
You know to all that say that Amnesty should not be rewarded, it shouldn’t be and trust me it isn’t. I am married to a mexican and let me tell you it is a very hard process in trying to become a citizen. We have been trying to get my husband legal since god knows forever and still nothing. If you only knew how much you have to pay immigration and what the interviews are like then you have no room to talk. I was born in the usa and you know what gets me every time is on how everyone always relate to “The Illegal Immigrant”, as MEXICANS. This society is stupid because in case you have forgotten not only mexicans are illegal. What happened to all the other foreigners? Another thing that just isn’t right is all this other stuff on how the mexicans just come over to take our jobs! But funny how when they pass in the media the shitty jobs the americans won’t do there you see mexicans or other “ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.” Americans always complain on how they are taking our jobs but yet we don’t work the jobs they do, because we aren’t going to work for long hard hours on end to get paid any little thing they get. And to tell you one last thing if they could get a work permit they would be able to come and work and trust me they would go back. Because in mexico it is a beautiful country. Why do you think all the americans go to mexico when they retire. Yeah I know what you are thinking then why didn’t yours go back, it’s what god wanted.
History is full of once illegal now legal – (at one time in this country the “illegals” were runaway slaves) – in 1986 Reagan signed an amnesty bill for Mexicans. I know a lot of these people who are now sucessful business owners (yes even in this economy) – their contribution to the community is often greater than native born citizens. They get the concept of community.
If you take out the right or wrong of the question on immigration (right and wrong is highly subjective) and focus on what is best for the country – immigration reform is long overdue.
While we are focusing on raiding factories – drug lords are killing innocent people on both sides of the border.
Those factories by the way may have moved elsewhere had there not been a work force readily available. There are US citizens who are working only becuase there are “illegals” working along side them. It’s not about cheap labor either – I recall a time when if you could fog a mirror someone would hire you and you could be the laziest person on the planet and no-one would dare fire you because there was no-one else to fill your job. Back then McDonalds was offering tution re-imbursment to attract workers. How expensive do you think it was to hire and train new workers every couple of months because there was a better offer somewhere else. We literally have a generation of workers who have the poorest work ethic ever and they are the loudest to complain about the lack of jobs. Undocumented workers keep many businesses open in the 1990’s.
Then there is the question of the 12 million plus illegal “consumers”. If you want proof of the devestation deporting everyone would have – just visit the ghost towns where ICE raids have taken place. Funny how the raids all of the suddenly stopped when all of the business of these towns closed shop soon after the raids.
Our economy sucks because of corporate greed – not undocumented workers. Take these 12 million people out of the shadows – impose a fine and refill the tax rolls. Requiring people to learn english isn’t a bad idea either – this would most likely be accomplished via employers requirement. Lastly, make it easier to be a temporary seasonal worker here. If you allow people to cross when there is work. If they know they can come back, they will leave when there is no work.
Reform – everyone wins