Originally Posted By goodgirl Category: Opinions Question: What is your opinion on rights and services for illegal immigrants?
Originally Posted By Disneymom443 Wow we are now getting into politics. I feel that immigrants can come into our country IF they become U.S citizen. And only 6 months to a year to start citizen classes. *sorry I can't spell
Originally Posted By jasmine7 I don't believe that illegal immigrants should have rights. They should have access to hospitals if they are sick, but they should have to pay for it, like everyone else. I have absolutely no problem with immigration, if it is legal.
Originally Posted By SuzieQ Since the vast majority of Americans are immigrants or the descendants of immigrants, being against immigration completely is pretty dumb, IMO. I'm all for legal immigration. The rights of illegals? That's a toughy. Being a Californian especially. We have a huge illegal immigrant population. Most of them do the work that others don't want. Back-breaking stuff like unskilled labor and picking crops. Don't forget that the majority of California is actually agricultural and supplies a large portion of the country. In the 70's, there was a huge uproar in Southern California regarding the illegal workers picking in the strawberry fields. Including those that used to almost surround Disneyland. The field owners invited anyone who wanted to work to come out and spend a day picking. People found out what a horrible job it is, and the uproar died down within a week. It's not right that these workers are here illegally. However, we don't seem to have a process in place for them to be here legally and still have the laborers we need. It's an ongoing social and political battle in the state. Many times, illegal workers have a false social security number. That means that taxes are being withdrawn from their paychecks. But guess what? There is no way for them to ever collect the benefits those taxes pay for. What's the offset of uncollectible benefit taxes paid versus what it costs the government for health care and education of illegals? I don't think there is a way to even come close to an accurate estimation. This is a really massive issue with innumerable facets!
Originally Posted By LuLu Yes, this is a huge issue. But I can't imagine why illegals get services when they don't pay taxes. There's got to be a better way. How can we allow the workers we need to come to the country legally? That's what we should work on.
Originally Posted By amazedncal2 ** what jasmine7 said. It's heartbreaking what they can endure to get here and I do have great empathy for them but I just can't go along with the "rights and services" for them.
Originally Posted By SuzieQ When I did an investigation of I-9 (proof of right to work) forms for a large chain of convenience stores, we found almost 100 workers nationwide who were here illegally and had to be terminated so the company would not face penalties. Every single one of them had a false Social Security card. The SSNs were authentic, but the card bearing the employees name was false. That means every single one of them was paying taxes. Yet, they would never be able to collect the benefits. Imagine the surprise of the real owner of that SSN number when they got a Social Security contribution statement saying they'd contributed far more than they thought! So remember, in many instances there are taxes being paid. The government still has those funds to use in the programs the illegals are using. As I said above what the offset is, though, is anyone's guess.
Originally Posted By amazedncal2 Hmm, thank you for bringing that up SuzieQ. We have a client who had their SSN used by another person by that same name. Our client got a letter from the IRS stating that he had earned $13,000 more in income than reported in 2004 and the gov. wanted their share. It cost our client plenty of time and money to get it straightened out. Now I'm thinking that our client should look into his SS account for future reference.
Originally Posted By SuzieQ ^ absolutely! In the course of the same investigation, we also uncovered a 20 year employee who's SSN had be incorrectly input upon his hiring. The last number was off by one digit. That means when he went to collect his benefits, his real account would have been $0. We notified him immediately so he could get it straightened out.
Originally Posted By Ursula I have very strong opinions on this, but let me just say that there is a quota of only how many immigrants our system, especially in California, can handle before it implodes. I have no problem with legal immigration. I do have a problem with our schools being overcrowded, with everything having to be written and spoken in two languages (at an extra cost to whomever, mostly businesses), and our hospital emergency rooms are going under fast. We can't even build a freeway system that can keep up with the growing population. If the illegals are paying taxes and not getting any benefits from them, well, frankly, they must not be very bright to allow that to happen. They shouldn't have the same rights that I do as a legal citizen, though, and that is because: If I were to go to their country, how would they treat me as an illegal? They would want me to follow the legal process, learn the culture and the language, yes? Ever try immigrating to England?
Originally Posted By peeaanuut Illegal immigration is just that, illegal. Those who commit the crime of illegally immigrating should be punished and removed. Now, immigration is great. It helps deversify our economy as well as grow our nation. If done properly and legally I have no problem. I do have a problem with those here that shouldnt be here causing a problem and depleting our resources. I follow the laws (Well accept for driving sometimes) and those here should have to do so the same. Starting with having permission to be in this country.
Originally Posted By RAM1984 Lots of mixed opinions here and I am right in the mix. I feel that the problem is that people are forced to be illegal immigrants. I was actually talking about this with my son this morning and both said our economy would be in trouble without them. So where is the visitor's work program I keep hearing about? It is easy to say they should not have rights but I would hate to be the one to tell a child or sick person that they have no rights here. As far as driver's licenses: When a criminal walks in to a government office and admits it; it seems (to me) they should be arrested. It is a sticky problem and I do not pretend to have any real answers. But down deep I feel citizens should have access to services before illegals.
Originally Posted By mele It is a tough issue and I don't have any ideas of how it could work better. I can't fault aliens for wanting to live in America. We're very lucky to have been born here. We could have just as easily ended up being born in another country. Does that mean everyone should be able to sneak in? No. See, I have no ideas. LOL
Originally Posted By TiggerPooh1973 I think legal immigration is great. Illegal, not so much. You can't expect to have all the rights and benefits of being a legal tax paying citizen if you are in this country illegally.
Originally Posted By Mrs Nurmi I think one of the problems with illegal immigration is that the US makes it extremely difficult (and extremely expensive) for legal candidates to get into the country. I have NO problem with tough immigration laws - they are absolutely necessary, and I wish Canada was a little more strict in this respect. But as an average middle class Canadian family, trying to emmigrate to the US is pretty much impossible. I will never live any closer to Disneyland. :-( So maybe part of the answer - and I am certainly no expert! - is to make it a little easier to apply legally, and to take more drastic measures against those who come to the country illegally. Just a thought. From someone who wants to live closer to Disneyland.
Originally Posted By MissCandice The thing that upsets me the most with illegal immigrants is the fact that they are hired by people to work. They wouldn't come here if there were no jobs for them. How about stopping companies/people from hiring them? That way so many people wouldn't risk their lives coming here illegally.
Originally Posted By avromark <<I think one of the problems with illegal immigration is that the US makes it extremely difficult (and extremely expensive) for legal candidates to get into the country. I have NO problem with tough immigration laws - they are absolutely necessary, and I wish Canada was a little more strict in this respect. But as an average middle class Canadian family, trying to emmigrate to the US is pretty much impossible. >> If one of your parents gave up American Citizenship, can you apply for it? Or is it easier to marry into it? Income is another issue all together, what is "middle class" these days? If your income is higher then the average combined income in your area, are you "rich"?
