here's a statement I have for the readers..!! I don't see how its fair for other immigrant from over the seas have to sign papers to be legal citizen and be approve before coming, while the mexican can just hope the border...~!!~ I understand that we should show love to the mexican and open up the border, but that wouldn't be fair for the over sea immigrant...!! They had to go through a process... I believe if the mexican want to make a new life in American, they should sign up to be a citizen and be legal in the U.S. <><

i think it is apparent that all of this illegal immigration, is going 2 end up in a war between us & them on u s soil.& that's just what bush & his group want . when that happens he'll call in the military & declare marshal law ,the borders will be broken from canada through 2 s. america , the u s will no longer be a soverign nation. what will emerge will be the NORTH AMERICAN UNION . this immigration thing is just a part of bringing 2 fruition a much bigger plan

I saw a comment above that said something like "white people wouldn't work on a roof, or in the fields in 100 + degree temperatures. This is absolutely worng! I grew up in Dallas, TX. Our summers get very hot also. We regularly get above 100 in the summer. 10 years ago if you drove by a construction site, the majority of the people would be American. I myself worked mowing lawns when I was a teenager. I know a lot of american people that used to work in construction. Some had their own businesses. And they were able to make a decent living for their families. Now, a lot of these Americans are really hurting, because they have a very hard time finding work. Or, if they do find work, it is for very little money. The ILLEGAL workers will do the work for much less money. And I know for a fact that a huge number of the ILLEGALS get paid under the table with cash. So they are NOT paying income tax. I worked at a landscaping company ( in the hot sun) when I was younger, and I saw first hand how people got paid. So I hate when I hear someone saying that white americans are lazy, and don't wan't to do hard jobs. I have had several hard manual labor type jobs. The problem is for americans, it is hard to get these kind of jobs because everyone at these jobs speak Spanish. Don't tell me I need to learn Spanish!!!! If they wan't to come here, they need to do it legally, and LEARN TO SPEAK ENGLISH. Don't tell me that Americans won't do these jobs! We just want to be able to make a good wage. We don't want to live in a house with 20 other people like the ILLEGALS do. Some of the above comments make it sound like Americans are all racist. It's not that we are racists. We just don't like ILLEGAL immigration. It is not fair to the American working class, because our situation is getting pretty bad, because of ILLEGAL immigrants. Did you all know that the United States allows more legal immigration than any other country in the world. Everybody talks about how the US needs to have compassion for the poor people from other countries. Would Mexico allow 11 million people from central America to come accros their southern border? I don't think they would.

The American National Anthem

Oh Jose cant you see, we're tired of supporting thee.

When you snuck acrossed the border, it began an illegal plight.

Over broad stripes and bright stars, We'll continue to Fight.

Mexican Flags we did watch, that were so sadly streaming.

Our tempers did flare, with Mexican's everywhere.

Gave proof to the nite, we must send them back there.

O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave.

For the land of the U. S. Citizen and the home of the American's.

written and produced by U.S. Citizens
Made In America

What is wrong with everyone? It should be no problem what so ever, for immigrants to be here, everyone thinks that all these hispanics or whatever you sick people who have no heart for anyone want to call them, all you think is that mexicans want is to come over here and sit on their but and get welfare checks, open your eyes that is what every average american does, i for one do not get welfare, and you know what, im half mexican. my mother is white and my father is mexican and you know both of them get up every day, just like any other american and go to work and by the way they pay taxes too. It honestly makes me sick to my stomach at the thought that it only bothers the average americans who dont get welfare, that the hispanics get welfare. listen to yourselfs people, you make no sense what so ever. and whats gonna happen when all these hard jobs that all these lazy americas wont do, are empty, whats bush gonna do then? I also realize that half of the average american obviously know nothing about what hispanics have to go through to get here to make sure their families have food and clothes and a nice house. can any of you people tell me, i would love to know. angelamartinez_2003@yahoo.com

I am shocked that these people can protest in a country where they have no rights. Demanding rights and demanding to bring the rest of their families in. Its not a simple matter to just save these poor people, America is very compassionate, but what it is going to do to our ecomomy is extremely important. Lack of caution and thought will bring America's down fall, by taking care of everyone else in the world. Is anyone researching the added financial impact on the average American benefits? The Social Security crises is suddenly quiet, are they no longer broke? I bet they will be broke at the next presidential elections. How many illegals are collecting and never paid in? Our health care is in crises who will pay for that? Schools and roads are over crowed and will take years to try to catch up-they can come over 100 times faster than we can build any schools or roads. It is a hugh burden we lay on these American traditions. Americans give their time and money to provide to the people here. Is it a decision that we can afford? If they choose to protest why can't they scream and yell for rights in their own country to fix what is wrong with their homeland and make it livible? Force it down their throats not ours, some intend on going back anyway. Don't hide from a needed revolution so they can be happy at home. I am not against these people but I am sick of every store catering to these people. When I go into the grocery store its latino music, department store latino music, its like that all over. One merchant actually made an announcement in spanish and no mention of what was said in english. My home owners association is spanish and declared this a spanish neighborhood and do not want me here. My american dollars and rights bought this american home on american soil. Funny how they have suddenly left me alone are they illegal and decided to be quiet or waiting for things to quiet down for hispanics? America has numerious cities that whites or blacks can not buy homes or they will be run out- harassed. Some are rude people.

The United States is a By-Business For-Business country. Businessess in this country like educated shoppers and ignorant workers. They want something for nothing, if not at least very little, and social responsibility is just something business leaders joke about in private. When employers are in prison, the border protections we have will be just fine. Until then laws are for suckers. Every person from every other country who has followed the rules feels like a sucker when they hear that millions of people are going to be given what they had to struggle to gain. What people are marching for will be given once the United States annexes Mexico then we'll have free-trade AND equal employment protections, and it shouldn't change until then. Oh, and let's not forget how hard many willfully non-english speakers in the K12 system are diluting resources. And finally, if employers will just be patient once the "No Child Left Behind" program finishes even Aldous Huxley would be shocked and horrified at what an ignorant and pliant native work-force the United States will have.

People keep saying I'm AMERICAN. Guess what Mexico is also AMERICA. I am not hispanic but I disagree with alot that is going on. I have 5 children that are half white/mexican. My ex husband has his papers now. He paid taxes even when he didn't. My last child father is here illegal. All that is going around is children whos parent or parents are illegal should not be citizen so does that also go for my child. This country says they don't discriminate aganist color age sex etc.... All of this is nothing but lies. Because the USA does discriminate. They should restate their words to. As long as you are here legally we won't discriminate you. Come on Bush you said you are here to help this people. So start putting your words in action.Oh by the way Ryan H from L.A. not all the people that are protesting are here illegal. Everyone at my job are going there including myself.

What a joke - "the illegal immigrants just want a nice house & education for their children - they don't go out & buy Louis Vitton" - How many of them are getting education here & sending money back to Mexico to build their "dream" home with American money? - More than you might imagine. I know of many just in my small town! Open your eyes America! Why don't these same people protest in their own country & make a "dream life" there? Why ? - Because they would probably be jailed. Open our borders? It seems that's already the problem; the border "doors" only swing one way.

Camella Pinkney-Price of Hispanic Evangelical Churches has been quoted as asking, "Why are people called illegal immigrants when they have shed blood, sweat and tears to work in this country?" One has nothing to do with the other. Bravo if anyone wants to live and work in the greatest country on earth, BUT DO IT LEGALLY! Why should amnesty be granted to illegals just because they've lived here without getting caught for 5 years? Don't be fooled by the rhetoric. "Guest worker" is just a smoke screen for amnesty. A guest is someone INVITED, not someone who sneaks in under the cover of darkness, obtains false ID's and continues to elude authorities. If a citizen committed a crime 5 years ago & now was caught would he/she go without punishment? Absolutely not, nor should it be that way. Enter legally, work for citizenship just as other nations' people have to do. The whole idea of our country not being able to function without illegals is a bunch of political propaganda! Let's wake up and face the music. All over California hispanic kids are cutting class to protest with no repercussions! What do you think would happen if any other ethnic group tried that? There would be penalties, truancy issues, etc.
Come on people - let's call it like it is. If you want to live & work in this country, you have to follow the same rules as any other counrty's immigrants would.

I believe our immigration system should get back to grassroots...close the borders and filter evrybody coming in. 12 million people has put enough of a strain on our economy, comfort of living and school systems just here in southern California alone! I am a 32 year old African American and I have had the rare opportunity to work side by side with immigrant workers doing down and dirty manual labor to make ends meet. The fact is that immigrants with permits and visas give something back and do have a different attitude about being here. The ones with no papers simply fly under the radar, getting paid under the table, taking up valuabe resources and opportunities any willing and able citzen would jump at. I admit my presence raised the wages for the crew for the time I was working there, but after I and others moved on to better jobs, three men were hired per each of us. Three hispanic, low wage, non-english speaking, mostly illegal immigrant workers. Many non migrant Americans were denied this job for the fact the employer could hire these untrained workers for next to nothing rather than paying someone what they're worth. It is never the case when someone says immigrant(hispanic) workers are doing jobs Americans wont do. They're being taken from under us. I have been subject to this many times when searching for work and I can say favoritism was even more rampant when a hispanic foreman or manager was involved. Nationality over experience? Lower wage over higher wage paid out? Non complainer over knowledgable worker? I personally am tired of it.
I think that ALL immigrants of ALL nationalities should be sorted out and dealt with accordingly. If they have legal documentation they can stay, if not, give them a final chance to get themselves straight. Put the law to them and make it stick. Hispanics protesting against the new laws obviously are mostly illegal and have simply not taken the opportunity to naturalize themselves in any way.
When they get into the United States, any and every immigrant knows that documentation is a necessity. Many avoid getting documents because of a belief that registering will be just like signing a notice of deportation or handing yourself over. Community leaders have dropped the ball on this issue. It seems most of the protest and uprising could be slowed or stopped by the very people at the front of the movement. They could just say," hey , if you don't have your papers, go get 'em so you'll be left alone." No, they want to yell and scream and wave MEXICAN flags in protest of something that was their responsibility in the first place. The should be waving the American flag, speaking english and making their presence here more meaningful, not more of a burden.

I HEAR PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT THOSE LIKE ME,JUST BECAUSE THE WAY I ENTERED THIS COUNTRY AND TODAY I CALL HOME, THEY SAY WE HISPANICS/LATINOS/MEXICANS COME HERE TO LIVE ON TAX PAYERS FOUNDED PROGRAMS AS WELFARE,HOUSING,ETC...TAKING ADVANTAGE OF BENEFITS THAT OTHER WISE 'AMERICANS' WILL ENJOY, WELL IN THIS SIX YEARS LIVING AS AN ILEGAL/UNDOCUMENTED ALLIEN I HAVENT,AND A LARGE NUMBER OF OTHERS IN THIS SITUATION DONT EVEN KNOW OR DONT WANT NOTHING TO DO WITH SUCH RPOGRAMS.ALSO BLAME OTHER SOCIAL ISSUES ON US OVRLOOKING THE FACT THAT WE PAY TAXES IN EVERY SINGLE PRODUCT/SERVICE WE MAKE USE OF, WHEN WE SPEND WHATEVER IS LEFT IN OUR PAYCHECK,AFTER THEY TAKE OFF AN AMOUNT FOR SOCAL SECURITY AND FEDERAL INCOME TAX BUT THAT IS MONEY THAT WONT BE REFOUNDED TO US SO WE PAY TAXES SOME HOW AS ANY OTHER WHO HAS TO WORK FOR A LIVING,ITS JUST FAIR I GUESS.U.S.A ITS GREAT LETS MAKE IT GREATER.

I agree with most Americans on this issue. I live in nearby El Centro Ca, and if you don't speak spanish in most jobs you can't get a job, I'm told you need to learn spanish, well I for one am speaking my natural language english in the U.S. If they want to be here then go about it the right way and get a visa or work permit. We as a country have some of the weakest borders. They tell us that we can go to Mexico and live but yet when they want the houses back that people have spent their retirement on they just take it and there is nothing we can do. There President needs to improve his country, it's workers pay and maybe they wouldn't be in such a hurry to leave a country that they say they love and wave their flag. As an Ameican we need to start helping the poor, uneducated, and the elderly and our own starving children and families before jumping on the band wagon to go to all the other countries when their in need.

“Oh yeah just another redneck far right extremist”

Dear America
We are a small island nation in a small corner of the Atlantic
We have a major problem that more than equals your great nation
Immigration

As we are an island, almost the entire coastline can be breached by immigrants at any time of year.
It also appears that more and more countries are also entitled to come here for financial gain.
We are told that it is for our benefit- they do jobs we wouldn’t normally do.
They enrich the country with a diversity we can all enjoy.
The BBC has recently stated that immigrants pay ten percent more in taxes that they receive in benefit.
I find that highly unlikely as those that do work do so off the cards and for cash.

Our most recent beneficial resource has been a huge increase of polish and other eastern European people
Whilst I will agree that most of the polish people I have come across (thousands) where I live are almost always fully employed and hardworking they also end up overcrowding a flat or home as it is cheaper to split the rent ten or fifteen ways.
They have also pushed out the people that had previously done these jobs( not necessarily British).
They always work for less or minimum wage.
They will do jobs without little or no training.
They do not complain if treated badly.
They save their money to go back home with.
They are seldom equipped with safety equipment or any command of the English language.
Most of the other European country folk do not appear to hold down or search for gainful employment and tend to hang around the house- outside and in or frequent coffee bars.
Whilst the state gives them money, for huge amounts of children and many elderly and ill relatives.

Over a number of years but particularly since we have had more EU socio- financial migration our countries economy, National Health Service and benefits system has been in decline.
People from the tip of Scotland to what was previously the very affluent south east of England are suffering under a mutual strain which will end up as deprivation.
We no longer build social housing that is already in decline
Although the government have said that we need one million new affordable homes in the south-east.

We can no longer look after our old people
There are immensely long waiting lists for hospital treatment
Benefits are being cut, particularly for the neediest.
All manner of health and social care are beyond breaking point.
Schools are over crowded and failing.
Crime is on the increase, although crime detection may be up.
Our future is going down the pan.( what future).

We previously opened our homes hearts and our country to people from around the world we once ruled as an empire.
There were very few dissenters as we felt a duty to help others who were part of our commonwealth.
No problem we integrated very well with people from all walks of life.
I personally have many friends and acquaintances from the Caribbean, India, Pakistan numerous African nations the far and near east, Moslem, Jews, Hindus, new age Christians, non conformist, Rasta etc.
All of whom made a permanent home here and chose to work with the population and not make themselves a separate people.
We now cannot fly our own flags for fear of being branded a racist.
We cannot flaunt our British-ness (MS Word suggested brutishness)
We are not entitled to some opinions although we were once leaders in freedom of speech.
We cannot complain against someone who is of a different colour or religion for fear of reprisal or imprisonment. (Police – it would be likely to incite racial hatred)

The government do not wish us to know how many immigrants are here as they only count the head of the household – so if for instance if the figures show for March only fifteen hundred people entered legally then it may be anything up to fifteen thousand depending how many relatives( or not) arrived with them.
In many cases the so called family is not even related but accepted because there is no documentation that proves it.
If there is nothing to hide why not show the real number.
Perhaps it is because they know that this country is very near its final straw.
The people that previously came here from other countries are also feeling the pinch and are expressing there very real fears.
Before you read this and think oh yeah just another redneck far right extremist spouting off against anybody who is not like him
You can never be so far from the truth.
I have lived and worked for many years within one of the most diverse communities on earth.
We have over a hundred languages and dialects represented within about a square mile.
Seldom is there any real racial or sectarian animosity or violence either underlying or real.
I both support and agree with the need for social inclusion of all people.
For me sexuality or race colour or creed, mental or physical ability has never been an issue.
My children have been brought up to be honest, lawful, and tolerant and respect everyone.
For my sins I was brought up in the slums of Glasgow, when there was still a deep residue of sectarianism and well know what can be caused by such hatred.

The bottom line is we are a small island with limited resources that has never been given the opportunity to vote or hold a referendum on some of the most basic or important laws that have been passed in recent years, apparently for the good of the union (not U.S. – E.U.) not the U.K.

What we have will not go further than it is stretching already.
Who will give us assistance when our well is dry (we are currently in drought)
Our crops fail.
Our people die needlessly (already happening)
Our infrastructure fails (just read our local news)

Will we be sent aid from other countries?
Will we receive money from a world bank?
Will we get air drops of Red Cross Parcels?
Will we be blamed for our own demise?
Ha! I don’t think so
We a caring nation always prepared to stick up for the down trodden, champion of the weak the elderly and infirm will sink under the weight of our own humanity.
For the all of the people that are already here, the milk of human kindness has not only passed its sell by date it has gone off.

God Bless Us and all, and all who fail in her

N.B.
To the powers that be
I do not think for one moment that the ravings of a normal peon in the street will ever be published
As i am not a movie star, high roller, activist or a politician
But I would like to think it was important to know –
Your country is not alone
But we can no longer defend the defenceless or support every just cause
We have to for once turn to our own needs and goals or we will become just as extinct as The North American Indian or Australian Aborigine are becoming.
(I do not mean any disrespect to either of these people as they are the true owners of these lands)
We will exist in theory
People of the future will both exalt and decry our previous existence in history books
As we die in a drunken stupor in a place not of our choosing.
One nation open to all.

John C Mooney
West London, England.

I AM an undocumented immigrant or as some of you American citizens call me "an illegal", "a felon" or "someone who doesn't pay taxes, lives from food stamps, and works for less than the minimum wage". Six years ago I arrived to this country with only one thought in my mind “to prosper”. At age sixteen I was barely considering the idea of staying here for as long as I have, but little did I know that later I would call this country home. I’ve worked as a dish washer, cook, cashier, waiter, and currently as a draftsman and assistant engineer for a firm, I have learned the language, I have paid taxes, I have paid for my own college tuition, I have got good grades, I have joined honor societies through school, I have made friends from all cultures and races, I have integrated myself into this country, I have managed to do all of that with the same mentality your grandparents or great-grandparents had years ago. I have managed to do all of that because I believe in the American dream. And I’ll still do a lot more even if I am obliged to use fake documents or to live “under the shadows of society” as some say.
I can understand the anger of some of you towards this issue. You feel like you are being invaded and abused, like if someone is trying to steal from you, but let me tell you that that isn’t true. We, twenty first century immigrants (legal or illegal), want to see the USA flourish as much as you do. We are not taking anybody else’s job, the jobs are taking us. There is a lot of work here, you Americans don’t realize how good you have it compared to the rest of the world. And if some of us use the health services we are not supposed to, it is because we REALLY need them and because we cannot sign up to any type of health insurance policy due to lack of social security. I myself had to use the emergency room once because I was dying in pain, then they told me it was a kidney stone so it wasn’t a big deal, but still I was worried!, I got some assistance in the hospital, nonetheless I paid for almost 50% of the exaggerated bill.
To make the story short I just want to ask for acceptance, let us be part of your community, we are already here and we will not go anywhere because we like it here. Oh, one more thing, you don’t have to learn Spanish, but if you do, good for you, you have learned something new, you should be happy!, I remember I had to learn English from 1st grade to high school back when I lived in Ecuador, I didn’t like the class, but I think I am doing pretty good don’t you think?

I would like to address the question of children born in the US to a Mexican who has come legally, but the other parent is illegal. The question has been raised as to is it fair that one parent would have to go back to Mexico and the children be left to be raised by a single parent.

Excuse me, but our prisons are well-populated with people who have done ILLEGAL things, thus leaving children who are US citizens to be raised by a single parent.

Evidently, we are to make some distinction between the children of US citizens who break the law and must pay the price, and Mexicans who break the law. Oh, I see it now. One goes to prison, but the other - not even a citizen and here because they broke the law - is called by some a 'guest', and has the right to wave the Mexican flag and demand his/her rights (???) as they parade up and down our streets.

So yeah, the illegal parent goes home, and the rest of the family goes with that parent if they cannot bear to be separated. When the parent who crossed illegally did so, that parent set this possibility up.

Well, we COULD build a big wall as some have suggested; but can we find enough cheap illegal labor to build it? And how many of them would be willing to finish up the work on the south side of it ?

Our senate is failing to release future problems concerning this guest workers program as a path to citizenship.I think everyone has forgotten ,what i call"the forgotten illegal immigrants",those who are here legally but have overstayed or out of status.May be senate should consider them,because they are already here,they have their record,most of whom are responsible for thie education,insurrance ..etc.I mean why add 11 million to the population ,making it a burden on we american citizens.

I would like to respond to Mr. Herrera. Your argument seems to be that Americans will not do jobs that illegal aliens will. And that that somehow this low wage labor is helping the economy. Mr. Herrera, that kind of talk is awefully similar to the talk of those who owned slaves and said that it was FREE labor that kept this country, or in particular , the south, moving. We saw in history that the country did not fall apart after emancipation and in fact, today the south is thrieving. Secondly, to say that we need to allow people to enter this country illegally just so we can extract cheap labor seems, to be a little sinister.

I have a solution. Why not help these people start their lives in America the right way? Legally!

I work in a medical faciliy were we do income based sevice for low income people..We see lots of illegals as well as americans. Americans would be willing to work the jobs illegals take if the pay was better and the job was avaible. But with daylabors working cheap, better pay is not foreseeabl for those jobs. Get rid of illegals and those jobs would pay more.( Illegals tend to have several families in one home.Cheaper rent)This help them work at a lower wage job.) Americans belive in family homes not group homes. Give Americans there jobs back, employers would be forced to pay better if illegals weren't here taking the jobs.

First, the source of the problem is in Mexico. How many Mexicans leave their country because they hate Mexico and would rather be Americans? I would guess very few. They come here because Mexico is unable to support them with decent jobs. Mexico and the US are separated by a mere line in the sand. The difference is the government, not geography. So Fox should stop griping about the US immigration policy and fix the legacy of corruption and incompetence in his own back yard that has led to people tumbling over themselves to leave.

The argument about "jobs Americans won't do" is bogus. Americans don't do the jobs because they don't pay enough. The pay is bad because roofers and landscapers can blackmail illegals into accepting slave wages. Illegals don't TAKE jobs that Americans won't do. They CREATE jobs that Americans won't do by driving down the wages.

Whether someone enters the US or not should not be determined by one's willingness to hide under a pile of vegetables in a stifling hot truck. We should set realistic quotas that legalize the true rate of immigration - i.e., raise quotas to allow as many more people to come here legally as now are coming here illegally. Then vigorously enforce the law against any who come here illegally, both against the illegals themselves and the people who hire them.

its not the illeagles are taking jobs away it is the people that hire them they get out of paying workers comp and pay low wages thus sticking it to the tax payers

It isn't going to stop no matter what is done. The best we can do is learn to control it and use it to our advantage. Make sure that whether the individual is here leagally or not, that if they are employed, and most of them are, they are paying their taxes and supporting the system they are buying into. From what I see, this is generally the case now, but most people are blind to this reality.

Bottom line, we're importing poverty to the USA for the profit of a select few but we are unwilling to fund any improvements for the maintainence of decent wages, welfare and government services.

Where is the outrage when Cubans waved Cuban flags during the Elian Gonzalez episode? Where is the outrage when the Confederate flag is waved with pride? English the universal language...have you not heard of a huge country called China? I challenge any white teenage male from Des Moines, Iowa to come to El Paso, Texas in the dead of summer (105-110 degrees) and re-tar roofs for a wage 5 times what an undocumented worker gets paid. Better yet, come spend a day picking lettuce, onions or cotton. Come on America, put your money where your mouth is...start applying as janitors, maids and chile pickers...you talk a real good game, but have always failed to do anything for yourselves. At least these people, with sincere and strong Christian values, try their best while being ridiculed by typical Americans, who talk the talk, but never walk the walk. Supply is not the problem, the demand is...yet no one talks about that do they? Economics 101.