As you and most people know by now I was once an immigration lawyer and had some problems with my license so I regressed back to by college days and came back to school. Anyway, the anti-immigration sentiment seems to be growing. The militia/minutemen at the border and Senator Nelson’s recent comments about how bad immigrant’s are, are just a couple of examples.
I spent twelve years defending illegal immigrates and I never knew of anyone one of them on welfare. Most of them were to afraid to apply because they thought they would be reported and deported. Maybe it is different in California. Secondly, most of my clients were afraid to file taxes for the same reason. So they ended up giving the government all their deductions because they were afraid to file taxes.
That is why from my experience immigrant’s do not hurt our welfare or waste our taxes. But, antiimmigration people always say they do. Next, the immigration laws refers to these people as aliens. What is up with that? That is blantant systemic racism. Okay, the term was given in the fifties when there was segregation ect. . . . , but this is the twenty first century. Hasn’t the government recognized these people as human beings not aliens. Why not call them immigrants that is what they are. Anyway, that is what they called the Europeans when they immigrated from Europe.
Next, everyone is freaked out because there are so many Mexicans here. Hello, Mexico once comprised of Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, California, Oregan, Nevada, parts of Colorado and Idaho. If they have lived here before the Europeans came here, it only makes sense that they are still hanging around. Anyway, our Constitution gives us the freedom to travel.
So what is the problem? Yes, someone drew a line in the sand and said do not step over that. That is where your rights end. It is the structual, historical and systemic nature of the beast that imposes the arrogance, hysteria and racism composition of our immigration disfunctionalism.
I know that something needs to be done with immigration, but nothing extreme. Of course border patrol is important, but if we are to remain the land of the free than we must allow immigration. Besides most of these “mexicans” are doing jobs that white people would never do because they think they are too good for the work ( ie: packing plants, how many white people do you see coming out of these places?). Being a 2nd generation Mexican-American keeps me grounded on these issues becuase if it weren’t for immigration, I and my family would not be here today.
There is a big difference between legal immigration and illegal immigration. A sovereign nation must have the ability to control its borders. A wide open border leaves us vulnerable to terrorism and drug smuggling. Illegal immigrants drive down wages and hurt unskilled workers. Democrats need to be pro-legal immigration but for secure borders and against illegal immigration.
I am glad there were a couple of comments about immigration. I know it is a confusing and complex area of the law. Actually, the Republicans are pro-immigration because it gives big business a source of good cheap labor. The Immigration and Naturalization Commissioner stated a few years ago that the immigration service is suppose to dictate the flow of immigrants depending on the demand for labor. In other words, if there is a strong economy they loosen the borders, if weak they strenghten the borders. Senator Nelson was recently quoted saying “Illegal immigration is straining local budgets, pushing down wages and jeopardizing jobs in Nebraska” and he plans on introducing a get-tough bill that would “tighten borders and penalize businesses that hire undocumented workers.” Of course, the Hispanic community went up in arms. What is unfortunate about his hostile remarks about “illegal immigration” is that he has enjoyed a solid level of support form the Hispanic community. I should say former Nelson supporters now. Although there are many second, third, and fourth generation Democrat Hispanics, Nelson forgot that most of us do not forget where we came from and we can relate to them. Most of our ancestors came from Mexico and other central and south american countries and we are sympathetic to the plight of the new immigrants. They look like us, they talk like us, and lastly and most importantly they are human beings with the same feelings, desires and dreams as everyone else. We do not condone a sensible immigration policy. We do not want Mexico and other countries emptying out their prisons like Europe did years ago and sending all their criminals here. Those people with felonies on their record should be scrutinized and other classes of subversive individuals should be as well. To become a United States citizen it takes at least three years and that is if you marry a citizen - the easiest way to become a citizen. It used to be immediately (within a year) but because of sham marriages the government now imposes a two year conditional residency that makes sure you are still married after a couple years and asks questions at your interview such as what’s your spouses’s favorite color and where is the light switch at when you leave the bedroom. It is a two tier system to become a citizen. First, you have to become a permanent resident (green card) then depending on your classification then you can become a citizen anywhere from four to fifteen years later. Without going into to much detail if you file for your brother or sister they will have to wait about twelve to fifteen years to become a citizen. If it is your parents then it is about four or five years. You can not just go and fill out an application and become a citizen; you have to fall within a class of persons to apply, if you are eligible. Then there is the quota system. It is broken down to people from China, Mexico, India, Phillipines and “other countries”. The “other countries” get there green cards first then the other countries get green cards up to a certain limit. That is racist and discriminatory to say the least. You may notice no European countries are singled out. I do not think immigrants hurt employment unless you like taking care of rich people’s kids, working on their lawns or cleaning up after people. I could write more but I will leave it at that for now.
Hey guys this is Urgent.
12/13-14: National Call-In Days To Defeat The Anti-Immigrant Bill!
12/13-14: National Call-In Days To Defeat The Anti-Immigrant Bill Take Action!
TAKE ACTION NOW TO DEFEAT SENSENBRENNER BILL (H.R. 4437)
CALL YOUR CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATIVES TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 13 AND 14, AND ASK THEM TO VOTE AGAINST THE “BORDER AND IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT ACT OF 2005″ (H.R. 4437).
TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE. THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES MAY VOTE ON THIS BILL AS EARLY AS THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2005.
PLEASE CALL NOW!
Background:
Last week Rep. Sensenbrenner (R-WI) introduced the “Border and Immigration Enforcement Act of 2005″ ( H.R. 4437). The House Judiciary Committee passed H.R. 4437 last Thursday; the bill is expected to go to the full House of Representatives this week. We also expect that an amendment to eliminate birthright citizenship for babies born in the U.S. to undocumented immigrants and an amendment to build a 2,000-mile wall along the U.S.-Mexico border will be offered.
Among its many provisions, H.R. 4437 would:
· Place religious groups, employers, and even private citizens at risk of criminal prosecution as “smugglers” if they aid or transport an undocumented immigrant.
· Classify all 11 million undocumented immigrants working in the U.S. as “aggravated felons,” subjecting them to deportation and imprisonment and depriving them of any access to a hearing prior to deportation.
· Disrupt the U.S. economy by creating an overly broad and retroactive employment verification system without creating legal channels for needed workers to work lawfully.
· Deputize local police forces in border communities to act as immigration agents, despite the objections of many police officials.
· Make it more difficult for legal immigrants to become U.S. citizens
Contact your representatives TODAY and urge them to OPPOSE H.R. 4437.