Today is May Day, historically when immigration supporters rally and march in support of lessening restrictions on immigration. It appears as though those numbers are dwindling:
LOS ANGELES (AP) - Demonstrators demanding a path to citizenship for an estimated 12 million illegal immigrants rallied around the nation Tuesday, hoping to spur Congress to act before the looming presidential primaries take over the political landscape.Hundreds? Dozens? Those numbers are really small. The AP piece is typical open borders, give them citizenship fluff, but those numbers speak volumes (note this Reuters headline that can't deny the truth). The climate in America has changed and this is one issue the Republican's own. Everyone in America comes from immigrants, that's true. But most came here legally and not only waited for their citizenship, but assimilated into the fabric of our nation.From Phoenix to Detroit, hundreds of people carried American flags in the streets.
...Hours before the march was set to begin in Chicago, dozens of demonstrators began arriving carrying American flags, signs and placards, including one that read "We may not have it all together, but together we can have it all."
With the exception of Tom Tancredo and Duncan Hunter, the GOP field has been wary of entering into this very important debate. President Bush himself has hedged and has lost support of a lot Republican's because of it.
We need real immigration reform and we need it now. Real reform does not offer amnesty nor reward those who've broken the law. It does provide funding for real border security and it provides for consequences if you cross illegally. Reform also requires the U.S. to take a firmer stance with Mexico and calling for economic sanctions if they don't stem the flow.
I know they are just seeking a better life and money to support their families. I feel for them and wish their own leaders would provide them more opportunity. I believe in immigration if it's legal imigration where taxes are paid for services provided. I'm 100% against illegal immigration.
Previously on 'The Stump':· Will Farm Bill Increase Illegal Immigration?
· Bush Pushes Immigration Again
· Bush Finally Getting Serious About Illegal Immigration?
Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 6)
1. I think our government knows they allowed this problem to happen and the carrot was cheap labor. Now they don't know what to do. It happened under our noses. It is a prime example demonstrating how corrupt and sneeky our government is becoming. They represent big business and money that pays for their big campaign funding. We don't even know what has been done to us until it hits our door step. We are more interested in who wins American Idol than the important issues facing us as a people. They didn't just wake up one day and realize that 12 million illegal immigrants crossed the border. In my hometown we have a daycare facility called "Texas Migrant Headstart" it is a federally funded daycare for migrants, legal and illegal it doesn't matter( although they may say it matters). They pay nothing for the daycare even though most Mexicans living in America have two incomes and make around 10 dollars and hour each. That is 20 dollars and hour and most American citizens' children don't qualify for Headstart at that income and if they do they would have to pay something. It is tough for American families to obtain services from the American version of Headstart. Most Mexican women do not report that the father of their baby is living in the home. They usually say that he is in Mexico or they don't know where dad is so that they can obtain more financial assistance such as Medicaid, food stamps, daycare etc..People aren't aware that our federal government is funding a daycare for immigrants as long as they are working in agriculture. People have no idea how much money is being poured into services for the Spanish speaking and many of these services aimed at helping these people assimilate into our culture are actually enabling them to speak English. Its all about lowering the standard of living for the middle class. Our government is promoting the movement towards two classes the very poor and the very rich. Americans will do these jobs but they need HEALTH INSURANCE or a living wage that affords them to pay for their healthcare. My husband and I work 2 full time jobs and do a lawn service after work. We have seen our wages going down, down as the cost of health insurance skyrockets. We will do these jobs and are doing these jobs, our problem is we are running out of hours in a day to work. No one illegal or legal should get services without being forced to pay something or perform work in the community. We should know by now that freebies do not help our society everyone should have to pay something for what they are receiving even if it means they have to put in more hours like this American family is doing.
dustinb23 at 8:08PM on May 1st 2007
2. I think the numbers of illegal alien marchers demanding rights and citizenship are down because they probably realize Americans are FED UP with this whole mess and may worry they will be rounded up and hauled off in an ICE raid. I KNOW there is the humanitarian factor with the illegal aliens, but it's WRONG to even put that guilt trip on Americans. When I see those signs carried by the illegal aliens in the marches that say "Don't take my mommie away from me" , I just want to scream! THAT'S YOUR MOMMIES' FAULT!! Why should MY citizen family PAY FOR YOUR MOMMIE'S DECISIONS TO RISK THE SEPARATION IF SHE'S CAUGHT!!! Why doesn't your Mommie care about you enough to keep you and the family safe from this "separation" in the first place! Be innovative and work hard in YOUR OWN COUNTRY. Make YOUR OWN country what you WANT it to be! LEAVE OURS ALONE!! It makes me very angry to witness these illegal alien marches raise their fists in the air, waiving a foreign flag, or OURS, and DEMAND anything from this nation! We are losing the middle class in America FAST. America looks more and more like a third world country. We have a responsibility to our OWN citizens! There is a whole underground network of illegal alien support, ACLU, militant churches, fake churches, our own citizens, it really is complicated and it's costing US, the taxpayers. I called my Congressman again today about this immigration mess and his office validated that the phone calls, emails, and correspondence are enundating congressional offices from constituants who are completely over the top fed up with illegal aliens and broken immigration laws. Citizens mince no words in their demands for action from our representatives immediately. And if I have to, I will call daily, email daily, until something GETS DONE. ENOUGH is ENOUGH,we are sick of talking about it.
Jean at 9:31PM on May 1st 2007
3. I came to United States in 1959, was drafted to the Army the same year, went to school to learn English and history of this country and waited 5 years to become citizen. Now I receive voting ballots in 5 different languages.It seems to me that you do not have to speak English to become a citizen. When are we are going to stop pleasing the minorities. I can go on and on but I am trying to be nice and I am sure you get my point.
G.Nelson at 9:37PM on May 1st 2007
4. Some of theses people have been here a long time and have established lives and helped our economy. For these who can show jobs that are on going, show that they will pay taxes, and speak our language - maybe yes. BUT, for those who merely walk across the boarders illegally and expect that we ever tolerant Americans grand them the gift of citizenship, I say no way! They don't even speak English. We used to demand that immigrants be proud of their new citizenship by passing a test, speaking our language, etc. Not anymore! We are a very tolerant people anymore, but so tolerant, they have to laugh at our stupidy and blindness. We Americans as I see ourselves anymore, are naive, fat, stupid and are in for so many major problems in our future I get sick to my stomach when I look for the future of our grandbabies.
Let's do a little more thinking and less eating. Would other countries in this world expects less from our immigration laws? What country would allow this mess in their country. We allow the Muslims who only want to destroy and kill us. What is wrong with us. We are being laughed at and ridiculed and we are being pushed into a very deadly corner. Now we are considering everyone who has broken our boarder laws to be rewarded. I really have to question our mentallity.
-H- at 10:11PM on May 2nd 2007
5. Dustinb23, Jean.
Well put, I am totally disgusted myself. I feel that you have underestimated how rapid the middle class is falling into disparity. What upsets me the most is to watch these illegals marching and waving the Mexican flag. How dare they come into this country illegally making demands while waving the Mexican flag. Just how insulting can one get? I see this in many sporting events where people come here from another country gain citizenship, then wave the flag of the country they have deserted. I say if you want to be an American, then gain citizenship legally and become an American and support her and wave her flag, and not the flag of the country you have just deserted. If you can't do that basic thing, then leave and wave your flag in the country you so love. I have a great compassion for those that suffer in other countries as my parents did when they left Italy. But when my parents gained citizenship they never waved the "Italian flag", only the "American flag", and stayed loyal to this country until they went to their final resting place. God save the United States of America, because our Politicians wont.
Gotta go now, I think I am being watched
rrm12 at 12:01PM on May 2nd 2007
6. My Mom and Dad came to this country to work and live.They were both Mexican citizens and single. They met here and later married here.I was born in 1931, my brother, in 1933 and later, two sisters came along.My parents learned to speak and write english as did my brothers and sisters and I did...Illagal immigrants are criminals, they have already broken the law...I do not believe we AMERICANS should gift criminals with citizenship...
Tony Vergara at 6:08PM on May 2nd 2007
7. Its a sad sad time for us when our politicians will break the law just for votes from the illegals in this country...this includes the catholic church...I think the catholic church should be excempt from paying taxes if they are political...shame on the government and politicians for flauntingly breaking the laws of the country...don't they understand what illegal means...this is a slap in the face to all the people who try to enter this country legally..if the mexicans want to demonstrate then let them go to mexico and demonstrate for better conditions in their own country...go home
carmen at 12:17PM on May 2nd 2007
8. I agree earlier with what another had said in regards to our country looking like a third world country. This is what immigrants have brought to us. We have ghettos being created under our noses. These people breed gangs, crime and violence. We have enough problems in this country and surely we don't need any more. Unfortunatly we can't determine which ones are good or bad. The solution is don't allow any of them to become citizens. They export our dollars to their own country. It's time we stand up and take action. The government is by the people and for the people. We are the government and can change it. If we can send troops to Iraq to solve their problems, we can no doubt solve our own.
Dennis s. at 12:17PM on May 2nd 2007
9. I am outraged at the situation. At present, I am living in a town that is overrun with illegal immigrants. Our schools in Morristown, TN are catering to the illegals and our own kids are being ignored. The stores are catering to them and we are being ignored. All aid to families are going to illegals and the elderly and children in our area are not eligable for any aid. I think our government needs to step up and take charge of the issues. If someone wants to come to this country and work, they should do it legal. Pay taxes like the true citizens of this country. AND LEARN TO FLY THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA FLAG AND SPEAK ENGLISH.
LMaloney at 12:32PM on May 2nd 2007
10. I'm Mexican. I crossed the border in '93 and since then I have worked hard to realize the American Dream (the same dream your great-great parents had once when they migrated from Europe). Yes, I have earned a lot but it had cost me half of my back, my wet back. I became resident on '00 and since then I get a check back from the IRS when I fill my income tax. But, what about the seven years I worked as illigal? People who hate us for "taking their jobs" don't realize that whe have been paying taxes as well as the "ones who work," this time I'm not talking about those who live from the Social Security.
Do You Have It Clear Yet? We work hard on the jobs many American Citizens won't take and that is for sure, I have proofs for that.
For example: I Work in a job where you have to get up at 3 in the morning and many white people have come to work with us and leave within a week saying that the job is too hard.
L. Yanez at 12:19PM on May 2nd 2007
11. Why does Congress and the President seem to forget that "illegal" is the key word in "illegal immigrant"? These parades should be raided by INS agents and anyone without valid citizenship should be deported.
Kevin Gilhooly at 12:21PM on May 2nd 2007
12. These ILLEGAL ALIENS should be rounded up at every rally and sent over the border. They are ruining our country to the lowest level. This presidentil election for me is to see which side votes for NO AMNESTY. They came here against the law, want all benefits for nothing, they have NO CIVIL RIGHTS IN THIS COUNTRY, they should not be allowed to march, only for AMERICANS. They held crosses in memory of those who died crossing the desert, well that is there own choice, not our fault. They steal I.D's, frre medical when I as a retired woman has to pay $200.00 a month out of my social security check because I can't take the chance of being without it, they have many children her and get all free, something is wrong with this picture. They are dirty in appearance, drinkers, thieves,they are not IMMIGRANTS they are ILLEGAL. Politicians need to stand up for AMERICAN citizens, not amnesty for criminals. We don't need them here let alone want them here.Every business I deal with I will not go there if I see mexican there or hear the lanuage. They are illiterate and refuse to learn english, print their signs in spanish, fly their flags, it's time AMERICANS marched. NO AMNESTY< ONLY DEPORTATION
jane at 12:35PM on May 2nd 2007
13. the last time i checked it wasnt the mexicans that flew into the towers in N.Y. and it wasnt a mexican that went on a shotting rampage at V T.... so next time you use the word "illegal immigrant" think of all the other immigrants that are "so call here on a school visa" and never leave...but yet cause more damage in the USA than any other immigrants!!!!!
lynn at 12:36PM on May 2nd 2007
14. There is a simple answer to the problem.Fine the employer $5000.per day for each illegal and if the employer cann't pay shut him down. Therefore, if there is no jobs the illegal's will go home!!!!We will have to deport!!!
MINGLE at 12:50PM on May 2nd 2007
15. the last time I checked it wasnt a mexican that flew in the towers in N.Y. and it wasnt a mexican that went and shot all those people in V T ..so next time you use the word "illegal immigrant"......think about those people that "so call" come here on a school visa and never leave and cause more trouble then the mexicans .... think long and hard about the fruit and veg. you eat every day because you WILL NEVER SEE A WHITE MAN picking that for your dinner...as for us being dirty we are not the ones that are "white trailer trash".......
lynn at 1:01PM on May 2nd 2007