Brian, I'm assuming from your name that you're not Native American (the modern usage).  How did your forefathers come to this country?  Did they get a visa from the US consulate in their country?  Can you prove this?  The reality is that unless one's relatives arrived after 1924 they most likely just showed up here.

I get what you're saying, but the term "illegal" is overused here to imply badness or criminality on the part of the immigrants.  When someone changes lanes without signaling, they're driving "illegally" but you don't hear people freaking out about that.  I'm not saying it's how things should be, but I am saying it's not the big Mexican Scare that the GOP and Lou Dobbs has been selling.  They're normal folks, just like us, that just want to be able to work to support their families.

Instead of punishing them we ought to be addressing the real problem, which is our crappy immigration policies and an environment where employers aren't punished for violating the minimum wage, social security, and medicare laws.  If there weren't sweatshops, there'd be less border-jumping.  If we allowed more working class folks to immigrate, they're be less border-jumping.  If we didn't have hypocritical laws such as "wet foot / dry foot" there'd be less border-jumping.  You do know that illegal Cuban immigrants are given green cards?

Anyhow, I do appreciate your reasoned rebuttal.  I actually agree with a lot of what you're saying, I'm just arguing that we need to address the source of the problem instead of the symptoms.

Jeffrey

On Tue, Aug 12, 2008 at 2:19 PM, Kelsay, Brian - Kansas City, MO <brian.kelsay@kcc.usda.gov> wrote:
Not to be political, but the key part of the phrase is "illegal".   If a person is not in a country legally, then they should have a different set of expectations about how the society they've invaded will react to them.  An illegal alien from any country cannot expect to receive the same benefits as a legal immigrant or a natural citizen.   Por exemplo, I cannot go to Mexico for anything longer than a brief visit, although a visa may not be required.  And the US requires some proof of citizenship upon reentry.   I can drive to Canada and visit briefly, but cannot work there without a work visa.   If I want medical care while I'm there, I believe it is emergency treatment only and I'd have to return to the states to get my insurance to cover procedures.
 
Follow the laws and its not such a bog deal.
 
Someday, we may be able to come and go between all countries and live and work where we please, crossing borders pell-mell, but for now there are many reasons for the laws in place in each country governing the comings and goings of people.
 

Brian Kelsay





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"He that would make his own liberty secure must guard even his enemy from oppression; for if he violates this duty he establishes a precedent that will reach to himself." -- Thomas Paine