[Infidel_Kastro]

Recent legislation introduced making illegal immigrants here in the United States felons has caused an uproar in the Hispanic community. Large protests against this legislation has occurred throughout the US, including many protests by students who have walked out of class and began marches on local city halls.

For exercising your 1st Amendment rights, I applaud you. You have have taken a cause that you believe in and have marched peacefully to make yourself be heard. There have been no damage done, no crime done, and you students have learned an important lesson that no Civics or government class could ever teach you.

However, you need to realize some things. All though it was normal behavior in the 60's to protest the Viet Nam war, the issue before you is much more complicated. In the 60's you were either for or against the war, it was a literal life and death situation. This topic before us is a domestic policy change that covers an entire gamut of topics, ranging from the ability of a country to control its borders and immigration, a topic which is fundamental for any sovereign country to regulate, to the economy of this country and what affects mass immigration will have on it, and many, many sociological topics that are too numerous to mention.

Although you may hold this idea of illegal immigration close to heart, lets think logically about this. If you are here illegally and are protesting to have more rights, do you not think that that is a bit odd? that would be similar to me coming to your house and protesting the fact that you won't give me anything to eat. The Hispanic community has for too long embraced the idea that coming to the US is almost a God given right, but that is simply not the case. There are legal ways to immigrate to this country, and although it is costly and time consuming, if you believe in this country, then you must respect the laws. If you do not, then aren't you merely taking advantage of it?

I watched with mixed emotions students protesting, proud that young people in America can plan and implement such a daunting tasks, regardless of the outcome, but at the same time, there were many things that troubled me.

Many of you simply didn't know the issues involved, even going as far as saying that President Bush was against illegal immigrants, where in fact, he is strongly supporting your side. Many of you showed extreme ignorance by not knowing anything about the subject, simply using the time to skip school.

To be taken seriously, you need to know your audience. Waving Mexican flags is NOT the example you want to send. It makes you seem to care about Mexico more than the US, and if that is so, then why aren't you protesting in front of the Mexican Embassy to clean up the corruption in Mexico so it's citizens would not be in an economic induced diaspora? Why didn't you wave an AMERICAN flag, demonstrating your love and belief in this country? That would have sent a stronger message that you consider yourself Americans, not merely Mexican-Americans along for the ride. The people you want to understand your beliefs do not want to here from uneducated Mexicans, it will merely fulfill a stereotype and add more ammunition to their cause.

How can you sit there and protest for immigrant rights when Hispanic drop-out rates are so low? How can you wave your flags so proudly knowing that hispanic teen pregnancy rates are far, far too high?

Many of you are the sons and daughters of illegal immigrants,born here in the US. You are facing a struggle. You have the legal right to be here, but your parents don't, and I understand that. But let me ask you, have you or your family attempted to start the legal process to become a permanent resident or citizen? That would speak volumes.

Again, I applaud your tenacity, but there are far more important things to be concerned with in the Hispanic community than this law. Let's clean the education numbers up. Lets lower teen pregnancy rates. Lets become the strong community that embraces the American way of life without forgetting the roots of the Mexican people.
I have said for many years that if the Hispanic population does not come up with a solution for this problem, then you will not like the answer someone will come up with, and instead, the community sat idly by. It seemed that there were no concessions to be made, it was either all or nothing. Well let this be a wake up call to the Hispanic community.

You've seen the solution that someone has come up, what concessions are you willing to make to come to a compromise?

[linskyjack]

Easy solution---ammnesty for those who are here, and the building of a wall between Mexico and the US----Also a clear cut and reasonable process for immigrants to become citizens. Its not so complex--

[coderitr]

Good letter, IK.

The bottom line is this. If you're in this country illegally, the Constitution does not apply to you. You have no rights. I think the President's guest worker program is a good idea since there are jobs that American's will not do. They would rather sit their able bodies at home and reap the benefits of a generous welfare state. The jobs, in most cases, must be done so go ahead and hire guest workers from Mexico. Just do so legally.

[Mulderator]

How about some paragraph breaks?

[linskyjack]

I'm with the Imbecile and Chief on this one----

[LANMaster]

Originally Posted by linskyjack

Easy solution---ammnesty for those who are here, and the building of a wall between Mexico and the US----Also a clear cut and reasonable process for immigrants to become citizens. Its not so complex--

Granting amnesty will only encourage more to get in illegally.



BTW, check this out.

http://wehategringos.com/

The website WeHateGringos.com is dedicated to exposing the other side of Illegal Immigration... the side our president, many in congress, the media and especially the racist hate groups do not want us to see.

Many pages on this website contain graphic examples of hate and racism that has, and is occurring in large cities and small towns across America.

The foul language, crude gestures, and vulgar photos will disturb most Americans. They are provided as true-life examples of what is happening almost daily in our country. We especially hope to reach those who may still believe that Illegal Immigration is harmless to our families, our neighborhoods, and our culture.

[Fidelista]

Originally Posted by Infidel_Kastro

Recent legislation introduced making illegal immigrants here in the United States felons has caused an uproar in the Hispanic community. Large protests against this legislation has occurred throughout the US, including many protests by students who have walked out of class and began marches on local city halls.

For exercising your 1st Amendment rights, I applaud you. You have have taken a cause that you believe in and have marched peacefully to make yourself be heard. There have been no damage done, no crime done, and you students have learned an important lesson that no Civics or government class could ever teach you.

However, you need to realize some things. All though it was normal behavior in the 60's to protest the Viet Nam war, the issue before you is much more complicated. In the 60's you were either for or against the war, it was a literal life and death situation. This topic before us is a domestic policy change that covers an entire gamut of topics, ranging from the ability of a country to control its borders and immigration, a topic which is fundamental for any sovereign country to regulate, to the economy of this country and what affects mass immigration will have on it, and many, many sociological topics that are too numerous to mention.

Although you may hold this idea of illegal immigration close to heart, lets think logically about this. If you are here illegally and are protesting to have more rights, do you not think that that is a bit odd? that would be similar to me coming to your house and protesting the fact that you won't give me anything to eat. The Hispanic community has for too long embraced the idea that coming to the US is almost a God given right, but that is simply not the case. There are legal ways to immigrate to this country, and although it is costly and time consuming, if you believe in this country, then you must respect the laws. If you do not, then aren't you merely taking advantage of it?

I watched with mixed emotions students protesting, proud that young people in America can plan and implement such a daunting tasks, regardless of the outcome, but at the same time, there were many things that troubled me.

Many of you simply didn't know the issues involved, even going as far as saying that President Bush was against illegal immigrants, where in fact, he is strongly supporting your side. Many of you showed extreme ignorance by not knowing anything about the subject, simply using the time to skip school.

To be taken seriously, you need to know your audience. Waving Mexican flags is NOT the example you want to send. It makes you seem to care about Mexico more than the US, and if that is so, then why aren't you protesting in front of the Mexican Embassy to clean up the corruption in Mexico so it's citizens would not be in an economic induced diaspora? Why didn't you wave an AMERICAN flag, demonstrating your love and belief in this country? That would have sent a stronger message that you consider yourself Americans, not merely Mexican-Americans along for the ride. The people you want to understand your beliefs do not want to here from uneducated Mexicans, it will merely fulfill a stereotype and add more ammunition to their cause.

How can you sit there and protest for immigrant rights when Hispanic drop-out rates are so low? How can you wave your flags so proudly knowing that hispanic teen pregnancy rates are far, far too high?

Many of you are the sons and daughters of illegal immigrants,born here in the US. You are facing a struggle. You have the legal right to be here, but your parents don't, and I understand that. But let me ask you, have you or your family attempted to start the legal process to become a permanent resident or citizen? That would speak volumes.

Again, I applaud your tenacity, but there are far more important things to be concerned with in the Hispanic community than this law. Let's clean the education numbers up. Lets lower teen pregnancy rates. Lets become the strong community that embraces the American way of life without forgetting the roots of the Mexican people.
I have said for many years that if the Hispanic population does not come up with a solution for this problem, then you will not like the answer someone will come up with, and instead, the community sat idly by. It seemed that there were no concessions to be made, it was either all or nothing. Well let this be a wake up call to the Hispanic community.

You've seen the solution that someone has come up, what concessions are you willing to make to come to a compromise?

Great post IK >f

[Mulderator]

Actually--I'd go for amnesty in exchange for revoking Fidelista's citizenship!

[DiSaidSo]

You said diaspora. I am completely impressed.

Oh right. Good letter.

Nice paragraph breaks, too.

And also, a high school-aged girl had her hand severed in a car accident on her way to a demonstration. It's pretty indirect, but the media sure does like to count it as a "casualty."

[hotskates]

I watched Charlie Gibson from GMA argue incisively with John Mccain about the "amnesty" issue. Charlie felt that 100% that the "deal" was amnesty and Mccain did not.......I'm still confused

[coderitr]

Originally Posted by DiSaidSo

You said diaspora. I am completely impressed.

I'm impressed, Diya, that you know the definition. I had to look it up.

[Fidelista]

Originally Posted by Mulder

Actually--I'd go for amnesty in exchange for revoking Fidelista's citizenship!

I would be right back!!! >f

[Infidel_Kastro]

You said diaspora. I am completely impressed.

You can't study the Middle East w/o knowing what a diaspora is.

[linskyjack]

Originally Posted by LANMaster

Granting amnesty will only encourage more to get in illegally.



BTW, check this out.

http://wehategringos.com/

The website WeHateGringos.com is dedicated to exposing the other side of Illegal Immigration... the side our president, many in congress, the media and especially the racist hate groups do not want us to see.

Many pages on this website contain graphic examples of hate and racism that has, and is occurring in large cities and small towns across America.

The foul language, crude gestures, and vulgar photos will disturb most Americans. They are provided as true-life examples of what is happening almost daily in our country. We especially hope to reach those who may still believe that Illegal Immigration is harmless to our families, our neighborhoods, and our culture.

NO, while granting amnesty, you have to FINALLY protect the borders and control further immigration. If you do it correctly, a persons desire will be irrelevant, they wont be able to get in. I say we take the billions we are spending in Iraq and construct whatever we need to construct to keep people from illegally infiltrating. Accept the fact that there are 12,000,000 people here illegally and there is no way you can send them home. Many have worked hard and made a life for themselves and have been model citizens (even though they aren't citizens) I read about a Venzuelan girl who was brought here at age 9 by her aunt (who had American citizenship), completed college but can't work because she is honest and won't submit forged papers. Certainly, she deserves to stay------and is probably a better American then many.

[GoneForNow]

Originally Posted by coderitr

I think the President's guest worker program is a good idea since there are jobs that American's will not do.

"Guest" implies an invitation, can someone tell me who invited them? They are here illegally under current law, a law we don't enforce. Why in the hell would you (that's an editorial "you") believe that passing another law that all of sudden we are going to start enforcing it?

The other fallacy is that our permanent "guest" workers do jobs that Americans won't. Funny 10 or 15 years ago lettuce got picked, oranges got picked, my yard got mowed and houses got built. Seems to me that this is nothing more then a invalid argument that has taken a life of it own.