Thread: IMMIGRATION DEBATE RIDDLED WITH MYTHS

Immigration debate riddled with myths

By: DICK EIDEN - commentary
September 2, 2007 8:56 PM PDT

Mark Twain said, "A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes." That's what's happening with the immigration debate. I've always admired and supported the North County Times' open letters policy, but the misinformation in the Letters section and on the blogs is appalling.

Take the recent "anchor babies" discussion, for example. It is simply not true that somebody can come to the U.S., give birth to a baby (U.S. citizen per Constitution), and thereby become a citizen or legal resident. The truth is that a citizen must be 21 years or older to sponsor their parents for legalization. Even then it's a difficult, expensive and time-consuming process, and few qualify.

It is also not true that all immigrants without documents are "criminals." As of February 2007, entry without inspection is a misdemeanor with a maximum sentence of six months. But most of the 12 million "illegals" entered before the law was changed, and are not criminals. In addition, an estimated 40 percent entered legally and overstayed their visas, which is not a crime.


It's not true that hiring undocumented day laborers is a crime. While 8 CFR 274a (Code of Federal Regulations) makes it illegal to hire workers without documents, section 274a.1(h) says it doesn't apply to "casual employment by individuals who provide domestic service in a private home that is sporadic, irregular or intermittent." Like Social Security, workers' compensation and other employer responsibilities, traditional day labor relationships are exempt.

It's not true that people without documents are entitled to all kinds of free stuff. They are entitled to certain emergency health services and their children get a public education ---- that's about it. Talk to any welfare worker. A recent NC Times series exposed that meth users are swamping our emergency rooms, not immigrants. Far from "demanding" services, people without documents tend to lie low and fly under the radar.

There is no "invasion" or "tsunami"; we aren't losing our sovereignty; Bush isn't a puppet of Mexico; undocumented workers don't drain the economy, they pay taxes, commit fewer crimes than citizens, work at jobs "Americans" won't take, etc. There are too many mistaken beliefs to address in one column.

Sincere people should ask themselves how so much misinformation is spread so quickly and broadly, and if racism plays a role. Most every ethnic and immigrant group has been the brunt of prejudice, discrimination and scapegoating throughout U.S. history. It would be more than surprising to think racism has come to an end. Indeed, one need only look at the North County Times blogs to see reckless and hateful comments toward the undocumented, immigrants and Mexicans in general. I'm not blaming the newspaper ---- it's the price we pay for an open forum. In fact, I'm kind of glad the racists don't hide behind a phony veneer of reasonableness or civility on the blogs. People should know what ugliness there is here in North County.

In an effort to put on our shoes, as Twain might say, North County Forum and the Coalition for Peace, Justice and Dignity are starting a speakers bureau. We would like to present some facts and our points of view to service clubs, church groups, schools and others who are honest about figuring out this complex and important issue. Contact us at ncforum@sbcglobal.net.

Vista resident Dick Eiden is a retired lawyer, director of North County Forum and a member of the Coalition for Peace, Justice and Dignity

http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2007/09 ... 9_1_07.txt

"In an effort to put on our shoes, as Twain might say, North County Forum and the Coalition for Peace, Justice and Dignity are starting a speakers bureau. We would like to present some facts and our points of view to service clubs, church groups, schools and others who are honest about figuring out this complex and important issue. Contact us at ncforum@sbcglobal.net. "
Yeah, Mr. Eiden. I'll volunteer.

"There is no "invasion" or "tsunami"; we aren't losing our sovereignty; Bush isn't a puppet of Mexico; undocumented workers don't drain the economy, they pay taxes, commit fewer crimes than citizens, work at jobs "Americans" won't take, etc"

He didn't say whether these are myths or truths!


"There is no "invasion" or "tsunami" FALSE

we aren't losing our sovereignty FALSE

Bush isn't a puppet of Mexico FALSE

they pay taxes MOSTLY FALSE

undocumented workers don't drain the economy FALSE

commit fewer crimes than citizens FALSE

work at jobs "Americans" won't take FALSE

etc FALSE

The whole article is plain OPINION and nothing else and the opinion is blatantly wrong!

It's not true that people without documents are entitled to all kinds of free stuff. They are entitled to certain emergency health services and their children get a public education ---- that's about it

"That's about it" huh. The author should take off his blinders and look at the burden that "people without documents" (i.e., illegal aliens) place on U.S. taxpayers. According to a June 2005 report from FAIR, in California alone, annual illegal immigration education costs amounted to $7.7 billion, or 13% of the state's school budget.

According to the California Healthcare Association, Los Angeles County alone has reported spending $350,000,000 A YEAR on health care treatment for illegal immigrants.

I could go on, but you get the sad picture.

The man is delusional.....most agencies can't even ask about status. Being entitled to benefits and actually receiving them are two different things. They are getting all kind of benefits they are not entitled to.

Not surprisingly the anti-LEGAL immigration author doesn't mention the many negative aspects of "day laboring" and the harm this causes to communities. Overall, he omits major points, downplays others, and resorts to name calling so typical of the OBL and ethnic pressure groups.

For a detailed discussion of "The Law Against Hiring or Harboring Illegal Aliens" see here:

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Finally, according to this newspaper report at least, "Since 1929, illegal entry into the United States has been a federal crime, a misdemeanor."

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/l ... %2C00.html