Should our Government be handing out money to the undocumented?

[Sir Suomi]

Well, my class had a discussion the other day about whether or not our government should be "handing out money" to illegal immigrants in the United States. For example, letting them file for Unemployment, Social Security, Driver's Licences, etc.

Or should we start to crack down on illegal aliens? Should our laws become more strict, helping to ensure that we don't have undocumented people in our country, which could possibly result in a threat to our national security?

So what's your opinion?

For me, I personally think that we should crack down on the illegal immigration, for good reasons. Should our government be spending money on people who arn't even paying taxes? And if someone could easily get into the U.S just to look for work, how easy would it be for a terrorist to inflltrate our country? Now, call me heartless, because I know most Illegals immigrate to find work to feed either themselves or their families, but why have our country have to pay the price?

That's my opinion on that, feel free to chip in your ideas.

[CharlieFinley]

I'm of the opinion that you should actually think about what you're writing before you post it. I was unaware that allowing someone to pay the government money to acquire a card that allowed them to spend more money to get from point A to point B constituted a government handout.

I do not believe illegal immigrants should be able to access Social Security or Unemployment funds unless they have actually paid the taxes that fund those programs. Many illegal immigrants would actually qualify for SS or Unemp under that standard. Furthermore, I don't believe we should crack down on illegal immigration. You know why?

Drive to McDonald's. That dollar menu wouldn't be possible if everyone hired minimum-wage, worker's-comp Americans. Go to a grocery store. Expect to see prices at least 25% higher if we had no illegal immigrants. And for what? To free up some jobs that most Americans would despise anyway?

[Professional Russian]

No they shouldn't get government money. They should get kick out

[CharlieFinley]

I can see you've put a lot of thought and careful consideration into this.

I can't tell. Is that a parody account?

[Sugaree]

Well, my class had a discussion the other day about whether or not our government should be "handing out money" to illegal immigrants in the United States. For example, letting them file for Unemployment, Social Security, Driver's Licences, etc.

Or should we start to crack down on illegal aliens? Should our laws become more strict, helping to ensure that we don't have undocumented people in our country, which could possibly result in a threat to our national security?

So what's your opinion?

For me, I personally think that we should crack down on the illegal immigration, for good reasons. Should our government be spending money on people who arn't even paying taxes? And if someone could easily get into the U.S just to look for work, how easy would it be for a terrorist to inflltrate our country? Now, call me heartless, because I know most Illegals immigrate to find work to feed either themselves or their families, but why have our country have to pay the price?

That's my opinion on that, feel free to chip in your ideas.

It's a pretty simple solution to a simple problem: make the road to immigration easier and more efficient.

For one, eliminate the quotas we establish for each country as to how many of their emigrants we are willing to take in over the course of a year.

Second, eliminate the useless processing and other monetary fees that immigrants have to pay. We can help a lot more people to legally enter the country and become citizens if we get rid of all the useless amounts of money they have to spend.

Third, don't put unnecessary waiting limits on immigrants. The average wait time for someone to get into the United States LEGALLY is 6 to 7 years. On top of that, it takes thousands of dollars for processing and background checks. We can't force people who are willing to work, willing to pay taxes, and even willing to sacrifice their lives for this country. Hell, we shouldn't force them to wait just to live and work here if they are willing to abide by the laws.

Finally, let's just get rid of the problem with our border with Mexico. We can complete the fence, but we need to make sure that immigrants know there is a better alternative than risking their life and limb to get into this country.

It's not a hard problem to solve. Making immigration easier, not just for Latinos, but for everyone, will benefit this country in the future. We can't call ourselves a land of opportunity and a country that accepts all peoples until we actually practice what we preach.

I can see you've put a lot of thought and careful consideration into this.

I can't tell. Is that a parody account?

Oh trust me, he's very very real.

[Professional Russian]

I can see you've put a lot of thought and careful consideration into this.

I can't tell. Is that a parody account?

Who Me?

[CharlieFinley]

Er... never mind.

[Professional Russian]

Er... never mind.
I can guarantee I am very much real

[PrimedPenguin]

I think we should enforce stricter laws and crack down in illegal aliend. Giving them money will only encourage them to stay. If we went to their country would we given money and all the benefits we give them?

[MalditoDia]

I think we should make the immigration to America easier so there is no risk of illegal immigrants coming to take money. I think its really unfair how some people judge immigration because who are we to say you have to do all this dumb stuff to come here. What are we all? Descendants of immigrants. This isn't even the people in charge land its all native American land. Immigrants shouldn't have to take any stupid tests because gge way the government us now the constitution is futile to know about because they don't even follow it. Why the heck shouldn't they get money from the government! The government spends so much on bull that all could ge used yo help the people. Giving them money is helping them and Thar's all that really matters.

[Sugaree]

I think we should enforce stricter laws and crack down in illegal aliend. Giving them money will only encourage them to stay. If we went to their country would we given money and all the benefits we give them?

But...that won't help at all. More laws does not equal a better immigration system.

[PrimedPenguin]

But...that won't help at all. More laws does not equal a better immigration system.

True better enforcement is needed if your caught on us soil illegaly you are trespassing. You should be (I'm not sure) if we deport them then they will end up right back in our country so it's a waste of money to send you back.

[Drew5]

No money and just enforce the current laws. No reason to change the waiting period, time is free.

If we were to change any law, I think we'd do better if the parents are illegals and their kid is born here, the kid isn't a citizen. Only citizens can have kids born into citizenship.

[CharlieFinley]

True better enforcement is needed if your caught on us soil illegaly you are trespassing. You should be shot because if we deport them then they will end up right back in our country so it's a waste of money to send you back.

That is the most vile thing I've read today. You should be ashamed of yourself.

[Abyssal Echo]

No they shouldn't get government money. They should get kick out

I agree with Professional Russian

[Sugaree]

True better enforcement is needed if your caught on us soil illegaly you are trespassing. You should be shot because if we deport them then they will end up right back in our country so it's a waste of money to send you back.

http://www.meh.ro/original/2009_12/meh.ro2202.jpg

You disgust me. We should shoot them? Yeah, let's follow the practices of human rights in third world countries by killing those we don't like; oh wait, we already do.

[PrimedPenguin]

Well not shoot them that was a bit disgusting I am in disagreement now
I have edited my previous post. I hope we can forget this.

[Jess]

It's a pretty simple solution to a simple problem: make the road to immigration easier and more efficient.

For one, eliminate the quotas we establish for each country as to how many of their emigrants we are willing to take in over the course of a year.

Second, eliminate the useless processing and other monetary fees that immigrants have to pay. We can help a lot more people to legally enter the country and become citizens if we get rid of all the useless amounts of money they have to spend.

Third, don't put unnecessary waiting limits on immigrants. The average wait time for someone to get into the United States LEGALLY is 6 to 7 years. On top of that, it takes thousands of dollars for processing and background checks. We can't force people who are willing to work, willing to pay taxes, and even willing to sacrifice their lives for this country. Hell, we shouldn't force them to wait just to live and work here if they are willing to abide by the laws.

Finally, let's just get rid of the problem with our border with Mexico. We can complete the fence, but we need to make sure that immigrants know there is a better alternative than risking their life and limb to get into this country.

THIS

I'm an immigrant myself (no not an illegal one lol) and I've just become a permanent resident a couple years ago. I still have to wait another 4 years to get my citizenship. I clearly remembered all the paperwork and stuff my parents had to go through to get residency for me and my older brother. It was tedious and expensive. They've said that in Canada they were able to get their citizenship very quickly (they moved from China). I know this might be completely different from what an illegal immigrant would go through, but the fact remains that I have to wait to get my citizenship.

[Guillermo]

Yet, the US government is paying a shit ton of money trying to keep illegal immigrants from getting in and it's not stopping them from still coming in. Don't you see something wrong with that? It's not working, obviously. The US, just like other developed countries, needs immigrants. When countries become developed nations, their fertility rates drop and this means that there will be a diminished working class in the long run (which can only really be fixed by families having more children - but this usually doesn't work). Immigrants help to fill this gap. They also take low-paying, labor jobs that most people in developed countries wouldn't take. But hell, a low wage job is still better than what immigrants have experienced in their native country.

And illegal immigrants already in the country shouldn't be deported either. That would cost around $258 billion. (http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/immigration/news/2010/03/19/7487/what-could-we-do-with-285-billion/) So I'd say that even now, too much money is being spent on either enforcing illegal immigrants from coming in or deporting them when they're already here. It just doesn't make sense. It simply won't stop illegal immigrants from coming in. The US is simply wasting too much money on unnecessary enforcing. The immigration laws need to be reformed for the immigration "problem" to be solved. Personally, I'm in favor of open immigration. But apparently this is too radical for both Democrats and Republicans of the US.

third world countries

Errr, I thought you out of all people on this forum would have known that this term is well outdated. The term "Third World Countries" is a very politically incorrect term. Generally, now, they're referred to as less developed or developing countries. If you were using this term to get the point across to Cer, though, then I understand.

[Sugaree]

Errr, I thought you out of all people on this forum would have known that this term is well outdated. The term "Third World Countries" is a very politically incorrect term. Generally, now, they're referred to as less developed or developing countries. If you were using this term to get the point across to Cer, though, then I understand.

Oh, is that so? Political correctness has never really crossed my mind. Until third world countries start getting a good infrastructure and a well based economy, I'm going to call them third world countries. I'm not going to delve into being politically correct, because it's not worth it. Not everyone is a winner.

[Guillermo]

Oh, is that so? Political correctness has never really crossed my mind. Until third world countries start getting a good infrastructure and a well based economy, I'm going to call them third world countries. I'm not going to delve into being politically correct, because it's not worth it. Not everyone is a winner.

Hmm, fair enough. Yet, do realize that some of these "TWCs" have made great efforts into becoming developed nations. Brazil is a great example. They have a thriving economy and are a politically stable nation as of now. Yes, there are still many social issues that hinder this countries development, but at least the government is trying to address and solve them. Mexico has even made good efforts to fuel its economy. There are just still many economic and social problems that plague this country as in Brazil. Government reforms are also trying to be made in Mexico, too. Same thing goes for Chile, Uruguay, Argentina, and South Africa etc. yet on different scales. I don't really think that all of these countries fit the description of "Third World Countries". But I can't force you to not use this term, so I'll stop my rant and stop getting off topic.

[CharlieFinley]

Errr, I thought you out of all people on this forum would have known that this term is well outdated. The term "Third World Countries" is a very politically incorrect term. Generally, now, they're referred to as less developed or developing countries. If you were using this term to get the point across to Cer, though, then I understand.

Just out of curiosity, why would anyone honestly give a shit? Political correctness is born of the imaginary right to not be offended.
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LHDxqigCco4/TpeLXt1w0GI/AAAAAAAADf8/4_aWa4D_QEE/s1600/fry.jpg

[Guillermo]

Just out of curiosity, why would anyone honestly give a shit? Political correctness is born of the imaginary right to not be offended.
image (http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LHDxqigCco4/TpeLXt1w0GI/AAAAAAAADf8/4_aWa4D_QEE/s1600/fry.jpg)

Why would anyone give a shit about not giving a shit? But, in all seriousness, it's more than that, though. The term is simply outdated. It makes you seem as if you're still stuck in the Cold War era where all other countries that were not in NATO or the Soviet Bloc were poor, helpless countries that couldn't survive without the "leader nations'" (the Western World) aid. Obviously, this is not true and many lesser developed nations have made huge growths in economic, social, and political aspects of their country. "Third World Country" is a term that is associated with so much ignorance about other countries than Western Nations and frankly, it's disgusting. People in general think that all African, Latin American, Middle Eastern, and South and Southeast Asian are the poorest countries with filthy living conditions that only survive by "First World" countries' aid.

And by the way, I never explicitly stated that I was offended or hurt by the other poster. I'm just simply stating that this is an outdated term that comes with outdated connotations. Yet I'm not saying that you should use another term, either.

[Korashk]

People need to realize that immigration (both legal and illicit) is good for the economy. Illegal immigrants don't tax the system. It's actually quite the opposite. Your average illegal immigrant pays the same taxes that the average legal citizen does, and oftentimes they forgo the benefits that paying taxes gives them for fear of being caught by the ICE.

Plus there's the whole can of worms about how being against immigration in all its forms is a bit hypocritical. Do you know how your great great grandparents got here? It's probably almost the exact same way that the Cuban guy at the Home Depot got here; on a boat. The only difference being that your grandpa or grandma had to spend maybe an afternoon being processed to make sure they didn't have diseases or criminal records.

Illegal immigrants aren't criminals in the same way that a murderer is a criminal. For the most part hey're criminals in the sense that a guy who smokes a joint is a criminal.