Immigrants

Like many of the respondents to this discussion, my problem lies with illegal immigrants. If you stop to think about it, the US is an immigrant nation. Unless you are a native American, your family came from somewhere else. I empathize and sympathize with those immigrants coming to the US to escape persecution, war, famine or any number of things in their own countries. However, even in the direst of circumstance there are rules and protocol that must be followed. Paperwork to be filled out, background checks, etc. These necessary procedures not only protect the US from "undesireables" but provides the immigrant with a legal path of entering the US. I would guess many American's are not educated on the subject. The most they know about illegal immigrants are what they see on the news about Mexicans crossing the desert or Haitians coming by boat. That being said, I'd guess when most Americans state their opinion about immigrants, they are using certain groups as their arguing point. If you want to migrate to the States, find out what you need to do to do it properly. Follow the rules and you'll find the majority of Americans welcoming you.

Legal vs. illegal is a large part of the problem here in the US. I welcome legal immigration - with restrictions and rules - just basic things like prove who you are and where you came from, speak English, support yourself (no welfare). I detest illegal immigrants and they deserve nothing more special than to be treated like the the criminals they are - arrested and exported. I don't believe either classification of immigrant deserving of any type of "special" treatment. When you make the choice to immigrate to another culture you need to assimilate into that culture - so you don't need any special treatment.

I really haven't had any dealings with immigrants. But I think it's sad that they feel they have to come here illegally. Those that are illegal take jobs and work for much less than the legal ones do. For instance a hotel in LA was paying a janitor $1200 per hour to legal person but only $3.00 to an illegal. That is taking a job from an american and is also a loss of taxes even if that illegal was paying taxes. The illegals also live in worse poverty than the usual american poor because they are hiding. My grandson has been watching some documentaries about gangs. One showed how some illegal gang members get sent back to their country of origin for holidays then sneak back into the United States.

As an American, I believe in helping each other out. This of course includes immigrants. The problem that most of us are having is the plight f the ILLEGAL immigrant. There my sympathy stops. They entered our country breaking the law and I'll will be dammed if I want my tax money to hand out to them!

I think one thing you are lacking in your question is weather they are legal immigrants & I think that makes the differance in peoples responses. I think as long as they follow the right way to become a citizen or live here legally fine. I do like many not care for people who do it illegally for numerous reasons.

I come from both Irish and English immigrant stock so I don't have any prejudices against anyone who immigrates here from another country. What I do have a problem with are those who come here illegally while others follow the rules and then undercut American workers as underground, cash paid day laborers. I also have a problem with the failure of so many to assimalate to our culture and our language. I'm not suggesting that anyone give up their culture or their traditions but, if you're going to be an American, at least learn the language and follow our laws.

As an immigrant I could feel that Americans treat different people different.