Results 1 to 7 of 7

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

  1. #1
    Administrator Jean's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    California
    Posts
    65,443

    Immigration Extremely Important To Tennesseans

    Poll: Immigration Extremely Important To Tennesseans

    Posted: Feb 27, 2008 07:47 PM PST


    NASHVILLE, Tenn. - A new poll released Wednesday reveals how some Tennesseans feel about the illegal immigration issue.

    Researchers at Middle Tennessee State University polled hundreds of Tennesseans.

    The poll found that almost 60 percent of people across the state believe that immigration issues are very, even extremely, important to Tennesseans.

    The poll also discovered 50 percent of people believe immigrants take the jobs that nobody wants. But, 35 percent believe immigrants are taking the jobs that Americans need.

    Confusion abounds about the illegal immigration issue. Among the common beliefs is undocumented immigrants take jobs away from Americans.

    But unemployment is around 5 percent in Tennessee. Economists believe for the most part the people who want to work are working. Plus, if an illegal immigrant did take the job of a Tennessean, state labor officials said there's no way to track it.

    "The data may not be systematically collected, but ordinary people see the evidence of the eye every day and that affects how they feel about the issue," said Carol Swain, who teaches political science and law at Vanderbilt University.

    Some people also believe illegal immigrants strain healthcare systems.

    "(They) don't seek medical care, and they won't seek medical care until they are almost on their death bed," said Gregg Ramos, an attorney.

    But how big of an issue is it? Existing federal laws make it impossible to tell.

    "There's a federal law you can't turn anyone away from the emergency room," said state Rep. Debra Maggart.

    So hospitals such as Vanderbilt University Medical Center follow the law and treat everyone. Officials do not ask about a patient's immigration status. Vanderbilt officials said they can only estimate they spent millions of dollars last year on healthcare for illegal immigrants.

    Another area people examine the impact of immigration is education.

    "It is causing a lot of monies to be spent, that haven't expected to be spent, said Kathryn Garcia, a teacher.

    Thousands of foreign-born students have entered the Tennessee school system. It roughly costs $9,000 per student to educate them.

    "That shows you right there what a burden it is on our taxpayers," Maggart said.

    But just how big of a burden? Once again, because of federal law, educators don't ask about immigration status so no one is certain how many children are being educated.

    "We don't know who is legal and illegal," Garcia said.

    "There is more contributed to our economy by the immigrant population than is actually taken by the immigrant population," Ramos said.

    The belief is undocumented workers provide a much-needed workforce that contributes to the local tax base.

    Springfield City Manager Paul Nutting would disagree.

    His city has been at the forefront of the illegal workforce issue in Tennessee. After immigration raids there, it's estimated hundreds of illegal immigrants left the area. Well-populated neighborhoods now sit empty. The past five years, the city's tax base has risen.

    Nutting doubts immigrants in low-paying jobs, with little disposable income, had much to do with it.

    Now that they're gone, Nutting said, "I don't think we are going to see much of a dent in the tax base. Most of the places where these people were living at, obviously were not paying a lot in property taxes anyway."

    The research found people on both sides of the issue believe illegal immigrants are an exploited workforce. They contend companies that hire them are a big part of the problem.

    There is also agreement that there needs to be comprehensive immigration reform at the federal level.

    The Hispanic population in Tennessee has grown 55 percent since 2000.

    http://www.newschannel5.com/global/story.asp?s=7937169
    Support our FIGHT AGAINST illegal immigration & Amnesty by joining our E-mail Alerts at https://eepurl.com/cktGTn

  2. #2
    Administrator ALIPAC's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2004
    Location
    Gheen, Minnesota, United States
    Posts
    67,681
    Barf, what a load of horse crap!

    W
    Join our efforts to Secure America's Borders and End Illegal Immigration by Joining ALIPAC's E-Mail Alerts network (CLICK HERE)

  3. #3
    Senior Member Dixie's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    Texas - Occupied State - The Front Line
    Posts
    35,070
    All I could think about were the Americans living below poverty level in the mountains.

    Dixie
    Join our efforts to Secure America's Borders and End Illegal Immigration by Joining ALIPAC's E-Mail Alerts network (CLICK HERE)

  4. #4

    Join Date
    Jan 1970
    Posts
    624
    Thousands of foreign-born students have entered the Tennessee school system. It roughly costs $9,000 per student to educate them.

    "That shows you right there what a burden it is on our taxpayers," Maggart said.

    But just how big of a burden? Once again, because of federal law, educators don't ask about immigration status so no one is certain how many children are being educated.

    "We don't know who is legal and illegal," Garcia said.
    Just goes to show you we need some kind of Real ID!
    [b] If we do not insist on Voter ID, how can we stop illegals from voting?

  5. #5
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Location
    Oregon (pronounced "ore-ee-gun")
    Posts
    8,464
    "The data may not be systematically collected, but ordinary people see the evidence of the eye every day and that affects how they feel about the issue," said Carol Swain, who teaches political science and law at Vanderbilt University.
    Ms. Swain does Lou Dobbs interview spots every so often. I like her almost always. She also has written a book on the subject matter as well (sorry, forgot the title and I'm too tired to look tonight).

    Also - what Dixie said is so true. I've traveled quite a lot in that area can tell you that America still has pockets of poverty. Parts of Appalachia are still struggling like they have for some time.
    Join our efforts to Secure America's Borders and End Illegal Immigration by Joining ALIPAC's E-Mail Alerts network (CLICK HERE)

  6. #6
    Administrator Jean's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    California
    Posts
    65,443
    There is obviously a lot of spin going on with the msm nowadays trying to downplay the issue of illegal immigration. Seems to be the plan during an election year. Not buying it!
    Support our FIGHT AGAINST illegal immigration & Amnesty by joining our E-mail Alerts at https://eepurl.com/cktGTn

  7. #7

    Join Date
    Jan 1970
    Location
    Tri-State Area IA, MN & SD
    Posts
    650
    I know people who live in TN, including law enforcement, and I think they would not agree one bit what this article has to say!

    I'm going to copy it and send it to them!
    From the Border Movie:

    I will not sell my country out ~ I WILL NOT!
    I'd like to see that pride back in AMERICA!!!

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •