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 2 of 6)
16. If there are so many people against the May Day marchers where are all the marchers and protests against it? I too am fed up with all the accomodations this country gives to illegals. We provide them spanish tv, spanish radio, interpreters, spanish instruction pamphlets, etc., etc. and it is time for it to stop. If they want to live in America they need to learn to speak and read the language become a legal citizen and not expect us to accomodate them. It made my blood boil seeing these people marching and demanding rights and priviledges for illegals. What arrogance, how dare they! It is time for the people against it to take to the streets and show them how we feel.
R. Johnson at 1:18PM on May 2nd 2007
17. No, no, no, wait in line like the rest of us, we worked just as hard (if not harder) @ the turn of the last century, just because Mexico is close and millions broke the law by easily crossing the border doesn't mean we'll give you a free pass, we waited leagaly, now you wait, and as far as us not being able to function without you, THINK AGAIN, we too thought nobody else could fill our shoes, well, guess what? some legal citizen will gladly put the hotdog in our buns and pack our cabbage.
Ricki Chic at 1:20PM on May 2nd 2007
18. Agreed to all, except when I lived in LA the Mexican gangs were not only killing each other, but those caught in the middle. I spent many a Weekend waiting for a bullet to go through my window.
Illegals (thats what you are when you use forged identiy papers), corrupt govenment (everyone know how honest Mexican cops and such are in Mexico), people who do not pay taxes, and more gang memebers to make up for the dead ones, are individuals we all need and want in the US.
Let them bring there filth to the US! Then they will destroy this country like Mexico and true Americans can move to Austraila.
RW at 1:20PM on May 2nd 2007
19. I think everyone that is against this movement for legal status in this country is full of it. For everyone's information many white people in this country, and I say white because they act as if they owned this country before it was ever formed. Remember that many of white people's decendants came in boats and stole land from native americans and ended up stealing land from Mexico. Please, save your sorry excuses by saying that all this land that is California to Texas was purchase because it was not. Learn to live with the fact that this country is rapidly going through a rapid diverse change and that many people are fed up with just white conservative america.
Mike at 1:23PM on May 2nd 2007
20. Why should they be allowed to protest, they are illegal. If any foreign country and protested their laws do you think I would be alive or free to tell about it. In example, I think I will go Saudi Arabia and live as an illegal alien and protest becoming a muslim. I don't think that would go over well. If there are jobs in the U.S. that Americans will not do then we as Americans have a problem.
Jim at 1:25PM on May 2nd 2007
21. Why should they be allowed to protest, they are illegal. If I went any foreign country and protested their laws do you think I would be alive or free to tell about it. In example, I think I will go Saudi Arabia and live as an illegal alien and protest becoming a muslim. I don't think that would go over well. If there are jobs in the U.S. that Americans will not do then we as Americans have a problem.
Jim at 1:27PM on May 2nd 2007
22. Jane.
Your comments are all nothing but racists. and you are very well accompanied.
Your complaints should be directed to the right people in USA (Rich and politicians)who want to exploit the poor (and your middle class). They do not care about you or your country, they care about their pockets and will exploit you or the poor Illegals that came to this coutry and they lie to you racists and put the blame of YOUR problems on this poor ILLEGALS that are asking to be LEGAL. Worry when These ILLEGALS stop asking to be L E G A L. You are wrong again when you say WE DON'T need them. Feel sorry for you and your company. Thank God not all rich people, all politicians,or all citizens in US. Think like you or YOUR COMPANY.
Hilario Jauregui at 1:32PM on May 2nd 2007
23. I truly understand why people from other countries want to live here. I also sympathize with those who are seeking assylum and have leniency for them. But our brothers and sisters from Mexico are simply driven by greed. I have lived in four different states in Mexico and can safely say they can make a living there if they work hard and are willing to make some changes. How is that any different from a Detroit autoworker who has to move to Atlanta to make a living? Or a high school drop out that has to go to night school? College is FREE in Mexico and all that is required is some effort. Please tell me how there is more opportunity here when the competition is SO much higher for the same positions in schools. We feel sorry for Mexico because we have never tried to get over their border and live in their country. BELIEVE me it is NOT easy. Why should they be allowed to just come across and then given the same rights as others who patiently waited and followed the laws? And when they scream about not gettin their rights I want to scream and say YOU CAN HAVE THEM WHEN YOU HAVE FILLED YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES AS CITIZENS AND PAID YOUR TAXES!!!!!!!! Since when should we give priviledges without any responsibility from people who don't have a legal right to be here in the first place? If I would have flown the American flag over my house it would have been robbed on a weekly basis as it was I was only robbed twice in one summer. Some people just don't understand the word BOUNDARIES.
amy at 1:33PM on May 2nd 2007
24. White people are all racist. They fuck everyone to be on top in the process. This gpes back all the way before slaves. Read some history books by Author Rowe and you will see that they even enslaved people in Britan who were white. That is why the world is all fucked, look at us, we are in almost every freaking country trying to promote democracy, in reality is us telling them no you can't do that. So I end this thought with giving every white person in america a big fat finger up there ass. It is too late to stop what is going on, in another 50 years or 100 this country will be totally different, and whites know that, that is why they are always coming up with bull shit legislation to deter people from doing certain things.
Mike at 1:32PM on May 2nd 2007
25. It's ILLEGAL to murder, ILLEGAL to steal,ILLEGAL to rape and ILLEGAL to come to this country the wrong way. If we legalize the ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS, then legalize the others too. People ILLEGAL IS ILLEGAL. By the way this white boy picks his own vegatables and friut. I don't need some ILLEGAL to do it.
jim packard at 1:37PM on May 2nd 2007
26. Plain and simple, " Fuck all white people". White
people think they
are superior to all races and it is funny because they are not. This
goes back to before the era of slavery. They fuck everyone in the
process to achieve their objectives. Look at the shit that is
happenning in Iraq, it's a mess and who is running it? Bush and he's
white. So I just do not understand how you AMERICANS can sit in from
of your computers and say that ILLEGALS should go back to their
country. Well guess what, your ancestors were illegal and inside of
you there is some of that blood, so do not make things up and say that
you are fully AMERICAN. One more thing, fuck all those latino people
who think they are white just because they were born here, or got
citizenship, and do not want to grant others the same luck they
had. Remember that you were illegal too you fuckers, and for you to
turn your backs on your people is worser than
me pissing on your faces. To wrap this up, if all those ILLEGALS as
you like to say do not get what they want now, it is ok, but I bet you
that in about another 20 years latinos will be running this shit of a
country you all like to call AMERICA. For your information if you are
wondering, "Yeah, I am Mexican and Damn proud, and I also have some
German in me, but hey why bother telling you im an illegal to all of
you regarless." Racist fucks.
Mike at 1:55PM on May 2nd 2007
27. I took the opinion poll at the bottom of the article. The Republican Party, I'm sure, has also noticed that 70% of those 90,000 people that took the survey are against granting citizenship to those 12 million illegal immigrants.
The President is from Texas and won the last elctiion largely due to Texas and Florida (Remember, Florida?). These two states have an enormous number of illegals who are often related to registered voting citizens. The fact wasn't lost on either of the Bush boys.
All they can do now is drag their feet and stall until they can blame it on the Dems after the next election.
I'm prepared to live with more or less immigration laws. The real issue is that we have 12 million new Americans unaccounted for. We need to either get them on the records or prepare to evict them. Make a choice, but do something
Roy at 1:55PM on May 2nd 2007
28. Last time I checked it was "illegal immigrant" that are breaking the law. that makes them criminals. Ship there butt's home. IF you want to work in this Country Pick vegetables and Fruit do it by becoming a legal citizens. I'm willing to pay more for my fruit and vegetables if that will take care of the illegal immigrant problem. And for the white trash comment made by Lynn. Worried Mom and Dad will be shipped home. Maybe if you Marched in your own County you could fix your problems there and stay in your own county.
jodie at 2:09PM on May 2nd 2007
29. I a 36 year old Mexican born, raised in US. Been here since I was 3 years old I am proud to say I am an American, but more proud to be Mexican. A place where you do not know hate and there is no discrimination. My parents taught me to be who I am and work hard for what you want. It is sad to see why people don’t understand or think that Latinos cross the border for the fun of it. The reason my father came to the US in the 1960 was to make 3 dollars a day instead of 3 dollars a week to feed his family.
A lot ask why we cross illegal; do you know how much it takes to be able to get a passport to cross the border? Well you have to own land. Have money in the bank. If that was the case no one would need to cross the border. But don’t have a wealthy person from another country because they roll out the red carpet for them. That’s why all the “real” terrorists were here legally... and why do you think other country own most of Los Angeles?
Yes I agree there are some bad apples but there are bad apples in all people we can not judge all people for the mistake one person makes.
For those who say that the Latinos are the ones that cause of the problem in health care and so forth I disagree we have never received medical or medical and have never been supported by food stamps. Thank GOD that when we needed to go to the doctor or to the dentist we had paid out of pocket or made payment arrangements.
Before the BUSH tries to make a brick wall (like in Berlin) he needs to take care of the real problems at home. We all know the war in Iran is all about the Oil.
Juan at 2:37PM on May 2nd 2007
30. i say we wait for the police company picnic when teir wives and chidren are with them and show them the same respect they showed the people at mccarthur park then we'll see their reaction. wasn't it also the folks on covered wagons that came across so fast they didn't stop to check that there were already people living here.so who is the illegal immigrant
ARTHUR at 2:37PM on May 2nd 2007