Hot Topic (12/16): Should illegal immigrants be offered legalization?

[Cafe GroupAdmin]

House Dems Offer Legal Status to Undocumented in Immigration Bill

Hispanic, black, Asian and other House lawmakers backing immigration overhaul called Tuesday for legalizing illegal immigrants in the U.S., despite a weakened economy and joblessness.

The coalition of lawmakers said Tuesday immigration reform can protect American workers as well as bring into the mainstream economy productive immigrant workers who have lived in the shadows because of their illegal status.

"For those who say that given the state of our economy, given the unemployment rate, this is not the time, I would say to you there is no wrong or right time. There is a moral obligation," said Rep. Lydia Velazquez, D-N.Y., chairwoman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.

Rep. Luis Gutierrez, D-Ill., who has become a leader of a multiethnic coalition of immigration reform backers, said immigration reform opponents "will use it as a wedge issue and will blame everything from unemployment to rising health care costs on immigrants."

"The immigrant blame game is constant," Gutierrez told a packed Capitol Hill news conference.

Immigration reform also means tougher penalties for employers who hire illegal workers, rules requiring foreign investors given U.S. visas to create jobs in this country, restrictions on hiring of foreign workers, he said.

Although there has been a report of a better-than-expected increase in production in the U.S. economy, experts say it remains weak and recovery continues to be slow.

That has led some to suggest that early next year -- as some are expecting -- is not the time to bring up immigration reform and certainly not to legalize illegal immigrants.

"Illegal immigrants currently occupy 8 million jobs. Those stolen jobs rightfully belong to citizens and legal immigrants. We could cut the unemployment rate in half simply by enforcing immigration laws!" said Texas Rep. Lamar Smith, the top Republican on the House Judiciary Committee.

An immigration reform bill proposed by Gutierrez seeks to legalize undocumented immigrants by requiring them to register with the federal government, pay a $500 fine for each adult, learn English, pass background checks and meet other requirements. They then are eligible for a six-year visa and when that is done a green card.

It contains numerous other proposals.

* * *

What do you think about this proposal to legalize undocumented immigrants?

Do you think illegal immigrants stole jobs that "rightfully belong to citizens and legal immigrants"?

[freedomthinks]

 yes  I think the ones that have been here for some time and at have dependants   should be offered a pathway that is reasonable  affordable and  timely . 

I am  working toward that end through  petitions and letter writing campaigns.    

    I  do not believe   immigrants take jobs that Americans want I  beleive they take jobs Americans reject .

 

[tericared]

 What do you think about this proposal to legalize undocumented immigrants?

I think they should become citizens....

Do you think illegal immigrants stole jobs that "rightfully belong to citizens and legal immigrants"?

No  I do not

[resamerie]

 

What do you think about this proposal to legalize undocumented immigrants? Not unless they go throuh the legal channels and do it the right way.

Do you think illegal immigrants stole jobs that "rightfully belong to citizens and legal immigrants"? Yes I do. I live in an area that was hit hard by Hurricane Katrina. I sat back and watched as  hundreds of jobs were taken by illegals while our own people could have been re-building their future

[babie113]

some should yes but only if they atleast apply for a visa and  stay out of jail and were brought here by parents as kids .otherwise all of mexico would just come this way

[orchidstar1]

I think the should be sent packing i want my ability to find a decent job back our country is too over run as it is and our economy is lacking because of it

[luna521]

agree

Quoting freedomthinks:

 yes  I think the ones that have been here for some time and at have dependants   should be offered a pathway that is reasonable  affordable and  timely . 

I am  working toward that end through  petitions and letter writing campaigns.    

    I  do not believe   immigrants take jobs that Americans want I  beleive they take jobs Americans reject .

 

[cagnew80]

They are here ILLEGALLY. Bottom line. No, I dont' think they should be pardoned and allowed to stay. They need to be deported. The borders need to be tightened. Border patrol need to be allowed to do their job for real and not have to worry about getting jailed.

There are legal ways to go about becoming an American citizen. There was a reason this system was set up and the possiblity of allowing it to be disregarded is absurd. I am all about legal immigrants. They did things the right way. They (usually) love being Americans and fight for America. They are trustworthy. They stay here and spend their money here. They pay taxes and function as citizens.

AHHH. What is wrong with people? When someone does something wrong- whatever that may be- they need to be forced to deal with the consequences. Stop saying "oh, well, that's okay. What's done is done, let's move on." My God... whats the point of any laws or rules? This is madness.

And let's be honest here. The only reason the Dems are pushing this is because that gets them VOTES. That's it. They don't care about the illegals. They couldn't care less about what happens to them- they just want the votes. Why do you think the census is going to include illegals this coming year? Because it screws with the number of electoral votes. The Dems are peeing themselves because their approval is so low and they know they are facing the huge possibilty of losing their jobs come vote-time.

[Talee]

 Criminals should be deported. The ones with kids should stay and they need to step up the borders.....and from that point on there should be NO MORE EXCUSES for anyone to stay. All illegal immigrants should be treated the same (from what I know they are not? I could be wrong)

Yes jobs have been taken....I know for teenagers around here it is very hard to get a first job these days...I am sure partly because of the economy though.

There are tons of busts out here in Phoenix and these busts are on companys who hire illegals. Who would be working those jobs if they were not busted?

[ms.sophsmom]

i live in an area where there are alot of immigrants, and i know children of immigrants. i think they should be legalized. there can be a new process for new immigrants to go through. there are probably alot of reasons they admire and want to be apart of our country...

NO.. they did not take any jobs from "us". in my area alot of hispanic people work in the fields or in potato factories and such... now if your gona cry about other people working those jobs get YOUR ass out there and break your back picking potatoes for ten hours a day... these are jobs tht almost none of us wanna work. stop pretending as though americans are just so helpless.. if we need these jobs we should be out there applying, dont be so upset that other people are trying to make their own ways too.

[cherry41089]

Quoting Talee:

 Criminals should be deported. The ones with kids should stay and they need to step up the borders.....and from that point on there should be NO MORE EXCUSES for anyone to stay. All illegal immigrants should be treated the same (from what I know they are not? I could be wrong)

Yes jobs have been taken....I know for teenagers around here it is very hard to get a first job these days...I am sure partly because of the economy though.

There are tons of busts out here in Phoenix and these busts are on companys who hire illegals. Who would be working those jobs if they were not busted?

agree and as far as the jobs I think it depends on the area cuz in Florida where I grew up they would hired illegals over citizens becuz they were cheaper and that pissed alot of people off