Thread: Videos of last nights immigration debate on tv

http://www.khou.com/video/

Now the dark haired smart mouthed lady is not for Americans.

We need an email campaign to explain to her the facts.

http://www.khou.com/news/local/stories/ ... ab9b0.html

Chat room Q&A: "Crossing the line: Immigration and Houston"

09:11 PM CDT on Saturday, October 14, 2006

From 11 News Staff Reports

Chatroom Q&A with experts on "Crossing the line: Immigration and Houston"

moderator: Thank you for joining the “Crossing the Line” live chat. We will begin at 8 p.m. following the show...

moderator: Remember, if you missed tonight’s show you can see it again on KHOU.COM shortly..

moderator: Thank you all for your participation tonight! We’ll be wrapping up in about five minutes.

canadaguy: i am a canadian citzen lived here all my life

Immigration Attorney: You are indeed fortunate. We have a different standard for Canadians than persons from other countries. Unlike any other country, Canadians are granted 6 months stay without need of a visa in their passports. Few realize the number of Canadians living in the U.S. out of status. It is much easier to cross the Canadian border than the Mexican border with the U.S.

bbsb: Everywhere I go it seems like everyone is speaking spanish . What happened to English being spoken in America


Central Am. Resource Ctr.: I came to this country when few spoke Spanish and my parents had a strict rule that we only speak Spanish at home. As young children, we learned English quickly and four of my siblings and I are college educated and one has his own business. Our children more English than Spanish. In that sense, Spanish-speaking immigrants follow the same path as other immigrants. For more information on this, see website www.migrationpolicy.org.


TX Border Watch: It is incumbent on every American to voice an opinion on this topic. The House and the Senate need unfortunately to make this law and greedy employers and “illegal” lobbying groups suppress the will of the people on this each time a good bill/law is before congress. We must remain vigilant to reinforce on a regular basis that we want our border secure, we want our police to be able to do their job, and we want the law enforced. We need an English only law. Email me if you wish to be involved. Lyoungblood@houston.rr.com


Double R: What a hot forum – the tax burden will always be more – this has become the U.S. problem and Mexico’s and other countries answer to their social woes – Mexico is nothing more that a passage to the U.S. not only for Mexican but others .. Mexico is not about to secure its southern border; for the right amount of money the door is open and the only stipulation “doesn’t stop ‘til you get to the U.S”.

What is Mexico doing for its citizens? I think that Mexico’s social security program is go to the U.S. get your education, send money to Mexico, and when you are old come back and retire with your American dollars. Mexico is not doing enough for it’s citizens --- there are plenty of jobs that need to been done just look at Mexico’s infrastructure, there are plenty of jobs that need to be done in Mexico. Roads, power, communication services , why are those jobs not made available? Those same jobs are being done in the U.S. by Mexicans, and other illegal Latinos


Central Am. Resource Ctr.: As an individual with dual nationality, US and Mexican, I can agree with you that migration is in part a domestic problem of the courntry of origin, ie, the lack of opportunities for its citizens and so that country bears that responsibility. Mexico is no exception. But the US economy also needs a labor force inserted into its most dynamic sectors to continue to grow. So the responsiblity is mutual. For more information, please refer to www.migraitonpolicy.org


Central Am. Resource Ctr.: thank you for your message. How do current immigration laws affect you and your famly?


AlwaysLegal: I have been in the states for 10 years, always with legal status and L1A VISA, I got denied the residency because of the size of the comp-any I work for...they tell me now, there is NOTHING I CAN DO BUT TO GO BACK....?


Noel: Not just that but billboards everywhere are now in spanish.


Immigration Attorney: The Spanish speaking market in Houston is tremendous. Hispanics are the largest ethnic group in Houston at this time comprising 38% of the population. They need goods and services. The majority are U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents. Don’t you think adveriser want this market? Why wouldn’t you want to run ads in Spanish?


mageemiller: How many amnesty programs have we had? And yet the man that sat there and has been here for 23 years still doesn’t speak English! Give me a break.


Central Am. Resource Ctr.: My father migrated in 1956 and he still does not speak English well, but he has his own business, has produced four college educated adults and has several properties that contribute to the tax base. Remember that the immigrant family in the program faces a immigration legal system that makes it very difficult to find a legal avenue of redress. Despite his status and language barrier, they did give this country their most valuable assest - a soldier that died on the battlefield.


irwin fletch: I have a question for the moderators.. wouldnt it HELP Mexico if the border was closed? then, the people would actually stay behind and CHANGE/IMPROVE their country? as it is, they just leave and their country gets worse! please answer


Central Am. Resource Ctr.: There are many Mexican immigrants that have assisted in democratizing Mexico and attempting to change the course that the country has taken. But it is ultimately the responsibility of the Mexican people as a whole to change the situation. By a few percentage points, the presidential candidate that lost in the last election had a program to attempt to deal with the poverty that drives people out. It take time to change a country. For more information on immigration, please refer to www.migrationpolicy.org


lawstudent: I think that the issue needs to ba averted to the mexican government more so then the Amercan one


Central Am. Resource Ctr.: Both governments need to look at this problem seriously. Mexico to reduce the povety that drives people North and to open opportunities. The United States to fix an immigration system that is dysfunctional in a time of global economic integration. For more on immigraiton, please refer to www.migrationpolicy.com .


txbev: I am sick and tired of having to make payment arrangements when i go to the doctors and hospitals, but the illegals get free medical care


Harris Co. Dem. Party: I’ll bet you don’t even believe what you wrote. If you do, try this: next time you have to go to the doctor or hospital, just tell them you’re in this country illegally. Tell them that they can’t charge you—your treatment is supposed to be free—because you’re here illegally! See how you’re treated. We do not have “free” medical care for undocumenteds and “for pay” for everyone else. The truth is, we do have too little accessibility to quality health care at affordable prices, but it’s not as your statement portrays it—free for them, unavailable to citizens unless we pay for it.


gbpreuss: Some of the issues here don’t relate to immigration, they are class and race related. There are ways of regulating immigration, and yet allowing those who want to come here to work in with less hassle

ma: to Donn: I have family back in my mother’s native country who have no choice BUT to wait the long years. Why can’t these illegals from south of the border?


Immigration Attorney: Our current immigration system simply doesn’t work. We badly need comprehensive reform to make legality the norm not the exception. When people see no viable legal means to immigrate, they simply disregard the law. Congress needs to realistically review the situation. Persons who followed the law should be processed first as Pres. Bush has said but we cannot realistically return all of the undocumented in this country to their homeland. They are an important part of our workforce. Still, we need to know who they are and put an incentive for them to come out of the underground. The measure passed by the Senate would require them to wait at the end of the line and take 11 years at the earliest to become citizens after learning English, paying taxes and avoiding any criminal activity.


Donn: The show made me think about their situation and why they are coming here.


Central Am. Resource Ctr.: Each immigant brings different stories that ultimately bares our humanity and concerns for the well-being of all human beings. For more information, there are two websites www.immigrationforum.org and www.migraitonpolicy.org. These also have references to the immigrant experiences in this nation and elsewhere.


ma: of course every1’s speaking spanish. we treat them like royalty...


Immigration Attorney: Under the Illegal Immigration Reform and Individual Responsibility Act of 1996, undocumented individuals are barred from receiving public assistance unless in emergency situations. A recent survey of the homeless in Houston found that virtually non of the homeless in Houston being undocumented individuals seeking social services. Most are veterans and U.S. citizen males with drug problems. Studies have shown that the undocumented paid more than they get back in services.


Black Americ: As an African American I truly feel threatened by this illegal immigrant explosion


TX Border Watch: Unfortunately, you should be on many levels….loss of jobs and/or keeping wages low, your budget is hit as well for education, health care, police costs in time and manpower, and a judicial system flooded with cases with our recent flood of illegals encouraged further by our government. Get behind “Secure the Border” … so many of these levels will be greatly reduced if they just do not get here. Help us insist as well that employers cannot take advantage of low wages and having the general public…pay the rest of the costs involved with the illegals being here. Lyoungblood@houston.rr.com


conroe1: Why was nothing said about the border patrol and police officers being assulted at the border every day?


Nat. Border Patrol Council: An entire show could be devoted to the border, but this program attempted to address a broad range of issues related to illegal immigration. For the record, there are more than two assaults against Border Patrol agents every day. This is completely unacceptable! T.J. Bonner President National Border Patrol Council


bonniezim: Make them legal so we can at least get income taxes from them and school taxes, etc.


Harris Co. Dem. Party: We do get taxes from them! That’s the point. There is not a single tax you pay that does not apply to undocumented immigrants. They pay the same sales tax you pay, the same property tax (either directly or through paying rent to a landlord). They pay social security taxes at the same rate, withheld from their pay, but they don’t get to collect social security upon retirement. And income taxes are withheld from their paychecks the same as it is for American citizens—unless they are working for some citizen employer who is breaking the law by not withholding income taxes.


Nat. Border Patrol Council: Congress tried that in 1986, granting amnesty and citizenship to nearly 3 million people. At the time, it was estimated that there were 3 to 4 million people in this country illegally. Today, the estimates range from 12 to 20 million. Obviously, amnesty only served to encourage more people to come here illegally.


rik: One thing that puzzles me, when looking for a job in the Houston market most require you to speak spanish. Why is it that the citizens of this country are the ones that have to change? If I was planning to move to another country I would make sure I understand the language.


Central Am. Resource Ctr.: I think immigrants as whole agree with you. There are waiting lists wherever English is offered to the immigrant population. But it is usually difficult for the first generation to learn the language, but second and third do so. For more information, please refer to www.migationpolicy.org.


TX Border Watch: Your statement is right on target. Houston is asking its police to learn “enough” Spanish to be functional….and Chinese…and Vietnamese…and so on. We as a country cannot afford this. Get involved with FAIR, TFIR and insist on an English only law for the good of our country…law enforcement, education….and so on Lyoungblood@houston.rr.com


SJPsycho: Welcome to the United States of AMexico!


Noel: Go to Ben Taub Hospital and see to whom your tax dollars go to. A real eye opener.


Immigration Attorney: I’ve been to Ben Taub and they are overwhelmingly Americans who did not have insurance in their jobs. As David Lopez said, only 14% of the cost can be tracked to undocumented individuals and they are by and large mothers receiving pre-natal care. Americans who drink too much, smoke and over eat are the primary patience seen by the Harris County Hospital District as reported to the Commissioners Court in September.


lawstudent: i thought too that the show was very thought provoking


texan4usa: I understand people need to make their lives better BUT they need to be talking to their government and not burdening our systems.


Hou-Galv Archdiocese: While it is true that underdeveloped nations of origin should be doing more for their citizens...for the citizenry of these countries is problematic at best...first there are the very difficult, institutionalized inequites and corruption and lack of civil liberties in varying degrees depending upon the nation. We have the longest continguous border between a highly developed nation and region of the world, i.e. Latin America that is unevenly developed and generally underdeveloped. It is unreaasonalbe, and in my judgment, immoral to ask a person to waith the five, ten, fifteen years if takes to come here as a documented immigrant while their children are malnourished, while the future is so dim in their land of origin


whoru: exactly..... this is “america”.. land of opportunity.....”one nation under god with liberty and justice for ALL”..anyone who is complaining about immigration are instant hypocrites if they say they have any respect for the Pledge of Allegiance


gbpreuss: It also strikes me as curious that many complain about how illegals are coming here for the health benefits. This was brought up on the show, and the woman who pointed out that many more Americans are driving up the medical costs was cut off by D. Duncan who said that’s the benefit of being American. IS IT. Just how good are our American health benefits?


bonniezim: I married an illegal. He’s been here 20 years. Came with his parents who are now citizens. He’s still waiting.


gbpreuss: Why would African Americans feel threatened?


lmn: I support a strong us border - what can I do to contribute to this cause?


Harris Co. Dem. Party: I support a strong border, too. But until you turn off the magnet that attracts—indeed, lures—people to enter this country illegally, you will not stop illegal immigration. And that magnet is the promise of jobs. It’s American companies that create illegal immigration and the problem won’t be stopped without addressing that issue simultaneously. That’s why the United States Chamber of Commerce and virtually every other business group in America opposes a “seal the border” only solution. It would severely adversely impact the American economy. There must be a comprehensive approach to this situation. We cannot demonize the folks we lured to this country without punishing the people who lured them here—businesses and individuals who profit tremendously from the labor they get for the wages they pay and people come here to earn.


Nat. Border Patrol Council: The most important thing that you can do is become involved in our political process, frequently expressing your views to your elected representatives and voting for candidates who share those views.


INS: to answer your question, i dont think its fair that those on the side of allowing the illegals in are making it seem as if they are the victims when we are the one having to pay the raising taxes


INS: the illegals are smarted than americans because at several jobs, there are illegals using family members’ residents cards and managing to get away with it


txbev: i hear there mexian CPAs who teach the illegals how to cheat social security and allow them to carry their relatives back in Mexico that have never worked here or paid anything in to this country. Is this true?


Central Am. Resource Ctr.: I do not know, but I do no that there are about 250,000 retired US citizens living in Mexico to make ends meet. For more information, please see www.migrationpolicy.org


conroe1: Why was nothing said on the show about the borderpatrol agents and police officers who get assulted daily?


hobbs: Exactly how many Mexicans are allowed to emigrate to the U.S. each year and under what terms? i.e. how many unskilled without sponsorship?


Immigration Attorney: While the U.S. takes in approximately 1 million legal immigrants annually (including children of immigranting parents), and refugees, the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas estimates that and additional 500,000 workers are need to meet market demands. As you may have read, unemployment recently reached 4.6% which most economist believe to full employment. One proposed solution has been a guest worker program such as the Bracero Program used after WWII to address labor needs in the U.S. These individuals were allowed temporary work in the U.S. and returned to their homeland. We all agree that we need to reestablish circularity of movement for person to go back to their homeland. During this program, apprehensions and deportations dropped to only 25,000 per year from 1 million previously.


ziggyden: I can’t get medical attention, or “Gold Card” But everyone that doesn’t speak english can!


feed-up: I am sick and tired of the way we treat the illegal immigrants. They overcrowd our schools, run up medical bills that my tax dollars pay for and I cannot afford medical insurance for myself...... you are turned down for jobs because you are an american who does not speak spanish. They crowd our neighborhoods with those trashy trailers and hang their clothes on bushes and trees. I think this country needs to wake up and give the people who were born here a break. Stop allowing them to overload our hospitals having all of these babies and whatever else. I am just sick and tired of being sick and tired. The people who are taking up for them are probably using them for slave labor. We can stop them from crossing the border if the government really wanted to but they don’t want to because they are using these people. It is frustrating to be in a store or laundry facility and all you hear is spanish. Instead of forcing us to learn their language, they should learn our language. What is wrong with this country anyway. Why do we owe these illegal children an education? Why do we owe them ANYTHING? Wake up america and listen to the people who have a right to be here. If an american citizen breaks the law there is a price to pay but they can come over here and just get everything handed to them on a silver platter. GIVE US A BREAK why don’t you. Their immigration status should be known before they can get a job or enroll in our schools. Of course as long as the schools get the money from the state per student, they won’t complain.


Central Am. Resource Ctr.: There are several websites that with data that clears some of your concerns. These are www.migrationpolicy.org and www.immigrationforum.org . We hope this helps.


Hou-Galv Archdiocese: To begin with, you have obviously not spent a great deal of time interact with the immigrant comunity, meet their families, experience their work ethic. Indeed, in any segment of society we will have undesirables...from unethical Enron executives to street level drug dealers. However, the so called burden these immigrants place on our system is more than offset by their contribution to our economy, culture and overall way of life. Yes, their nations of origin should do more to stabilize and expand opportunity in their own lands, yet we enjoy this inexpensive labor because these immigrants simply want a better life. the issues of unavailable health care, stresses on education are issues that would still be suffering for want of solution with or without undocumented workers in our midst...poverty is across the demographic board and it is not caused by imiigration.


TX Border Watch: We must remain vigilant to reinforce and insist on a regular basis that we want our border secure with out amnesty, we want our police to be able to do their job, we want our politicians to listen to us as the House has, Senate has not and president has not providing the necessary funds to enforce current law, hurt some feelings if we have to and we want the law enforced. We need an English only law especially for any one wanting to work here. Lyoungblood@houston.rr.com


mageemiller: Am I angry? Yes. I work in law enforcement. All I hear in the jail is “no conprenda englis”


Central Am. Resource Ctr.: I think it is serious when law enforcement officers who swear to serve and protect all feel this way. I know you are also a professional—perhaps you can seek assistance to ensure that your feelings do not interfere with your duty. For more information on immigration, please refer to www.migrationpolicy.org


sassy2666: What about the asian people and the middleeast peop[le they are growing here also?


tim1125: fine, so that family shown on TV has been here 23 years. WHY CAN’T THEY SPEAK ENGLISH THEN!!! They’ve had 23 years!!


Central Am. Resource Ctr.: My father has been here 51 years and he does not speak much English—but he established a business and has many properties that contribute to the tax base. The point is that immgrants who are limited in English speaking nonetheless contribute to this country. My father college educated his five children and this family gave the ultimate sacrifice, a soldier in this nation’s defense. For more information, please refer to www.migrationpolicy.org.


Immigration Attorney: While I agree that we should encourage everyone to speak English, there is no law at this time that they must. There are many communities in our city in which people conduct their business in a language other than English. Check out Chinatown on Bellaire, Koreatown in Spring Branch. These people do quite well thank you.


teecjordan: My question is this. We as taxpayers pay to teach bilingual education for free to immigrant children. But if I want my daughter to learn Spanish, I have to pay. It doesn’t seem fair.


Central Am. Resource Ctr.: All people in the city, county and state pay taxes—sales and property taxes. Since 1999, undocumented immigrants also are able to pay taxes through an Individual Tax Number through the IRS. According to the IRS, there are over 9 million people with this since this became law. So all immigrants, irregardless of status, pay taxes. For more information, please refer to www.migrationpolicy.org


US Citizen: I dont care why they are here, the fact that they are illegal is enough for me to want to deport them. You say they follow our laws? But just the fact that they are here illegally means they dont. That is a complete oxymoron


Hou-Galv Archdiocese: First, under current immigration laws being an undocumented immigrant is a civil offense. The position of the U.S. Catholic Bishops is that while we do believe every nation has a right to protect its borders, our current policy is irrationial, and inhumane. From time to time throughout our history we have had immoral laws on our books, such as laws sanctioning slavery and racial segration. We believe that the most humane approach is not to focus entirley on border defense to streamline the documentation process for both new arrivals and those already here who have built up equities, who have established themselves and productive members of our society. With these many millions “on the books” we believe our society would be safer and more secure.


Immigration Attorney: Illegal is defined by what we as a society says is permissible or not. Chinese and Asians in general were considered “undesirables” for over 60 years. We made law against mixed race marriages and disallowing women to vote. Just as we have make things illegal, we can make them legal. President Bush and the Senate have worked to create a comprehensive plan to address the undocumented situation and look at long term solutions. The House refused to meet in conference but have paraded around the country demonizing people seeking the same life our grandparents and parents sought. Until the 1970s almost any European could immigrate with a job letter. This was not available for the rest of the world. What is illegal and legal is for law makers and the public that elects them to decide.


Shon3235: After living in San Diego, Ca. for 15 yrs. via the U.S. Navy, I’ve seen the overcrowding in schools. There are not enough Teachers in California. I honestly don’t want to see kids who are not here legally kicked out, so what do we do?


Nat. Border Patrol Council: If we crack down on the employers who hire illegal aliens, they will stop coming here. People do not come here primarily for education and health care, they come here for jobs that pay far more than those in their own countries.

mageemiller: Why aren’t we challenging Mexico with fixing their country so their people will stay.


mrs Jene: Why do other counties come here, and can get tax free grants to open businesses and these mexican immigrants get harrased while the others threaten and terrorize our country? I would for someone from India and he stated they get 250,000 grants and of them pitchin and build businesses and we Americans don’t own Jack.


old guy: I am a native Texan and am on my second family and I must say my second set of children are being robbed of the education I pay for - also, on the program was a couple who had been here for 23 years yat they spoke no english - what happen to blending in with the culture


whoru: i bet half of those “ANGLO” politicians and speakers have Mexicans cut their grass and take care of their children....it would be great to see a special under cover report on THEM!


auscitizen: All citizens should feel threatened not just by the illegal situatiuon but by a government that is too politically correct to enforce it;’ laws


dmorr: Mexico needs to do more for their people. Giving handouts and not forcing their corrupt gov’t to take responsibility encourages the problem. I spoke to a single mom yesterday who said she won’t have to worry about saving for her son’s college because he’s half hispanic and is assured a scholarship. I’m a middle class single mom and there’s no scholarship money left for my kids because it automatically seems to go to the hispanics. My kids work hard in school too. I’m tired of supporting everybody, except my own children!!!!! Thank you. Good show.


Noel: Black America... I understand your feelings. Jobs are being taken from you as well as me.


Harris Co. Dem. Party: But you should feel at least as threatened by a government that cuts Childrens Health Insurance Program and doesn’t provide quality health care for children, or one which countenances a $5.15 per hour minimum wage for years and years or one that doesn’t provide quality education for its children as you are about folks who come here—admittedly illegally—to work and contribute to society and go to church here and raise families and want, above all, to keep their families together. It seems to me that somewhere our values have gotten skewed.


eltalion: Those minutemen only mention the parts that are convenient to their racism. They are not interested in stopping the causes of illigal inmigration in the countries where undocumented people come from.


mageemiller: We still have US citizens that are going hungry.


Central Am. Resource Ctr.: You are right and no human being should go hungry. For more information on immigration, please refer to www.migrationpolicy.org


Immigration Attorney: The City of Houston is aggresively seeking to address the homeless and the poor. A recent study shows that 35% of the homeless suffer from mental or physical conditions that do not allow them to live independent lives. 55% need counseling for drugs, alcohol and job skills. We have closed down our mental health facilities in Texas in the 1980 and left these people on the streets. They are not undocumented nor are undocumented workers taking jobs away from them. These were the conclusions from a two year study in Houston by the Blue Ribbon Commission to End Homelessness and the Pew Hispanic Institute both completed within the past year.


TX Border Watch: These folks should be our first concern with jobs, job training, health care , education before we allow any illegals to cross the border. I am here on the border as I type...the weather is cool and the illegals from over 1000 miles away are streaming through Mexico “our ally” from Guatemala and Honduras. My job down here is not easy...it is not fun...I would gladly be fired from this job or be laid off for lack of work if the Arch Diocese would stop assisting the folks when they get here, our government would stop inviting them here, and our greedy employers would stop enticing them here. Lyoungblood@houston.rr.com


TexasNative: The guest family on the show had to have a translator for Debra Duncan to ask them a question. My question is, if they have lived here for 23 years, why in TWENTY-THREE years have they NOT BOTHERED to learn English?? That is my pet peeve with illegal immigrants. If you are going to break the law to come here, at least have enough respect for the citizens to learn the language!!


skipperlee6: I believe the issue is minimum wage. Congress have giving themselves 3 raises in the last 8 years and turned down raising the minimum wage everytime it has come up and i’m very tired of hearing the president talk about a worker program; taking jobs that Americans will not take;that job does not exist, someone was doing those jobs way before the illegal came over. What he’s doing is giving the rich big companies the finacial brake of hiring illegals for less not having to offer benefits and worker compensation, so that leaves the lower educated American without work. Also, when that American needs support from the government; housing, food, and other supports their turned down because when they go for help from these services monies are so thin, because the waiting rooms are filled with illegals that are being serviced first.


Nat. Border Patrol Council: I agree that the main issue is wages. As long as American employers can get away with paying lower wages to illegal aliens, they will do it. It’s up to the Government to enforce the laws against hiring illegal aliens, and its efforts in that regard have been pathetic.


mascarab: I have been writing officials asking that immigration be stopped completely. WHY? 9-11 would be one good reason, but I will remind you , in our history , there were times that immigration was halted, amoung which was time in disease and depression. I think making sure we are not letting terrorists under various methods, including students . BUT , on a personal neighborhood level....the housing uis going up at such leaps and bounds it is physically making me sick. I moved to my community because it was just outside the metropolitan area and ..smaller and quaint , In a matter of one year after moving in 6 years ago, the building started and has advanced faster and faser, to where it is not the place we moved to anylonger, and MOR is proposed. I hate this. We once had immigration becaue we needed citizens. Now we have too many already...and how many illegally at that ?? And among that how many are here to do us harm , by criminal or terrorist nature?


Harris Co. Dem. Party: 9-11 would not have been prevented if we had a 50 foot fence along the entire Mexico-Texas border. Oklahoma City would not have been averted if we had spent billions of dollars more securing our borders. If terrorism is your real concern with the immigration issue, I think we could get far more security using the billions of dollars folks say we should spend building fences making our ports more secure—that’s the real threat from terrorism.


CuriousMan: Hello. I was watching the show tonight, and I was really intrigued. Coincidentally, I am doing a debate for my speech class concerning this topic. Could you direct to where you got all your information?


Central Am. Resource Ctr.: For information on immigration, please refer to www.migrationpolicy.org and www.immigrationforum.org


Hou-Galv Archdiocese: I would invite you to visit Justice for Immgrants on the internet. This is the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ webspage that provides a great deal of useful information.


native1: Most immigrants are working and not begging.


Nat. Border Patrol Council: No one is questioning the industriousness of illegal immigrants. The real issue is one of fairness. Our legal immigration system is the most generous in the world. Allowing anyone and everyone to circumvent the legal process transforms the system into a joke that is unfair to all of those who play by the rules.


Black Americ: My real concern is that terrorist will exploit the opening for the immigrants


Central Am. Resource Ctr.: Unfortunately, people who believe that their cause, whatever that may be, is advanced through the use of indicrimante violence will exploint any and all resources, not just immigrants. Using violence for a cause is wrong whether you were a Mohammad Atta or a Timothy McVeigh. Terrorism and immigration are not the same. So far, terrorism is best dealt with through the strengthening of intellegence systems to prevent attacks from happening. For more information, please refer to www.migrationpolicy.org


Immigration Attorney: While there have been rumors about terrorist seeking to enter across the Mexican border, non have been officially reported. Just as the Canadian authorities announced finding a cell in Toronto, I must believe that Homeland Security would announce any plot they uncovered. Why would a terrorist risk entering from Mexico when they can enter easily from Canada. Additionally, Mexico has strict restrictions on persons obtaining a Mexican visa from a Muslim country.


Nat. Border Patrol Council: Almost all Americans share that concern. Since it is so easy for an impoverished and untrained laborer to cross our borders illegally, think about how much easier it is for a well-financed and highly trained terrorist to do the same thing!


Dax: “The show made me think about their situation and why they are coming here.”

This is a monster the the very US has created.


TX Border Watch: We can no longer absorb all the working poor and illiterate of the world. We are not that wealthy. I am here on the border tonight and the Border Patrol radios are replete with calls. Are your ready for another 1 million illegals here this next year? What about the following? The environmentalist in me understands that our air , water and living conditions can not tolerate this rapid influx of people who do not understand that you can just throw your trash along the side of the road. Today we are at 300 million…what will our country provide our grandchildren in 25 years when we are at 500 million.? I do not want to live in Houston and drive its streets and highways with nearly twice as many people….so many of which do not now and will not then…have driver’s licenses, speak the language, have auto liability insurance….How do we afford the highways, hospitals and schools....without some discipline...we cannot. we must enforce our laws for an orderly society or we “fall to the barbarians as did Rome”. Lyoungblood@houston.rr.com


Dax: Black American why do you feel threatened? Do you feel that they are going to take over the welfare program?


treedoctor: Why can’t illegals pay tax’s?


BobR: I agree with Double R.... if the illegals are just here to do do hard work, then why don’t they work hard to make their native counrty one where I would like to illegally invade?


tim1125: Can someone please tell me about that family brought out? If they have been in the country for 23 years, why can’t they speak english yet???


TX Border Watch: Speaking English.....man oh man an illegal and his wife who have been here for 23 years and CAN NOT speak English....an interpreter was required ........ can one say..... Assimilation... The current law requires passing an English test to become a citizen. It is obvious, these folks should not be citizens and should be receiving no publicity ....except their son went to Iraq and was killed. This is certainly a place where I have compassion (the father of my granddaughter returned from Iraq OK, but he may have to go back) and we should offer them citizenship if they can pass the English test. We cannot disregard all of our laws for a hero’s family. A line must be drawn somewhere. Some will disagree.


proud2b: I also feel agitated by the fact that some illegals are comparing what’s happening to the civil rights movement??


DeeTee: I would like to bring up the cost to tax payers in the form of welfare. I am a state worker and I see how much money illegal immigrants receive from the government. When thye have babies, tax dollars pay the bill. Then the children are automatically citizens and they qualify for food stamps, Medicaid, welfare and even housing. Then there is no way to really track what their true income is as they have no social security number. The crazy thing is that we are not allowed to contact immigration, we just give them benefits.


texan4usa: I think our government needs to do what our forefathers set our government up to do, protect its citizens...


Central Am. Resource Ctr.: The Supreme Court has ruled that “all persons”, not just citizens, are equally protected before the law and are entitled to all protections of the United States Constitution. For more information, please refer to www.migrationpolicy.org


Single: Regarding the burden on schools and health care—I am a single home owner with no dependents. Why is it that I am forced to pay for other peoples’ childrens education and health care on one salary?

Houston, thanks for posting this. Notice that the guy from the Central American Resource Center has dual citizenship Mexico-U.S.?

"I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen."

And maybe I will make a call to the t.v. station to ask his name.

Whew

Video - Houston Took Deborah Duncan from us. I really like her reporting skills and she came from DFW.

Plumber is an unskilled/low wage job? How are those Mexicans getting a jounryman's license? Who is inspecting their work? Cut them off! Mexicans are taking these jobs from Americans. The guy is working here and building a house in Mexico!!!!!!!!!!! What! I can't afford to live in another country and build a house in America.

Ms. ACLU wants to compare apples to oranges. It's a shame that Americans are getting benefits when you want to deny illegals.

Mr. LULAC is a nutter! Why did they throw in the bleeding heart story and they have been here 23 years and can't speak English. Let me see, they didn't get amnesty 20 years ago. I think their story is bull.

$10,000 in America is equal to 110,000 in Mexico! Kick them out and they will be just fine in Mexico. I'm real sick of the leach system.

Dixie