Que Paso?

[JayJayFuntime]

What do you think of illegal immigration? I am fortunate to see both sides having half my family from Mexico. Seeing how many manipulate the system - it gets frustrating. I have 3 illegal nieces over here now that just got braces...my little girl still can't afford them. Go figure.

I see lots of good - but I do see the harmful consequences as well. Just wanted to get your opinion.

Who ever KNEW the Beatles would write a song in the 60's about American Immigration????
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o916_10Bnww

[kaiser soze]

We'll it might get worse with all the narco-terrorism that's exploding over there. People won't be running for jobs, they'll be running for their lives!

I believe it is a problem at both ends of the spectrum. Mexico isn't providing for their citizens and the U.S. isn't helping with denying citizenship. Shipping jobs over the border isn't helping, exploiting cheap labor doesn' help, the war on drugs isn't helping, and the "Dang Fence" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHjKBjM1ngw) as Mccain would call it isn't working

Like you said, there are families spread throughout the Southwest and Mexico...so it's hard to keep people apart. Having always lived in the North I have no idea how problematic it is - but I bet many many many places hire illegals, and seeing Hispanic workers (legal or not) has been the norm (and accepted) for decades.

Maybe it should be turned into the new DMZ, Berlin Wall, or Great Wall of China

Now that's Liberty for ya!

People can call them illegals but I consider the majority of them victims.

[JayJayFuntime]

Nicely said.

How many 300K homes are being BUILT on the backs of people in my family making minimum wage...or cash under the table?

Wealth is funneled to a small minority....that's the primary problem we have in this country.

Next time you hear someone scream SOCIALIST - check out their bank account...they're probably getting cheap labor and selling it high on cost.....

What's WORSE than SOCIALISM?

CAPITALISM run amok.....

[p-branez]

I talked to a friend who just moved to Arizona about what's going on there.

What you say JayJay is really the point that we arrived at. My friend said the main critique of immigrants is that they take jobs from Americans. But at the same time, lots of people putting forth this critique have probably benefited from the illegal labor - like building their house.

He also told me that using the word "illegal" in relation to immigrants is a sweeping generalization that 1. doesn't move the discussion forward and 2. is not actually correct, because it is not illegal to be in the US without proper documentation, it is only illegal to work without documentation.

Thought it will never happen, it seems like reform of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) is necessary. We know these "free trade agreements" aren't free, they are, as you say, written in favor of particular interests in wealthy countries. Also, Adam Smith in "The Wealth of Nations" notes that free trade is composed of two equally important parts: free trade in goods and services, and free movement of people.