Working in construction as I do causes me to come in contact with many "illegal aliens", and I have found them to be more hard working and better citizens than most of my fellow "white" Americans. This country will continue to improve only so long as we allow immigrants to come here and improve their lives and ours at the same time. The only losers are those Americans that are lazier and stupider than the immigrants, and these individuals will be losers irrespective of what happens with the immigration issue.

Please let me voice my opinion about immigration.
I know that the United States is a melting pot of different cultures. Both of my grandparents on my father's and mother's side came from Poland. In order for them to stay in this country, they had to learn to read, write and speak English before they could get their citizenship. During this time of transition, they were scared when a knock came at the door assuming the possibility of being sent back. If these Mexican people wish to stay in this country, they should learn our ways. I think a 5 year span is enough for them to learn to read, write and speak English in order to get their citizenship. They would not be eligible for any government, state or county benefits unless they have their citizenship. If they commit a crime during this time, they should be sent back. They are welcome to do seasonal or temporary work, with a worker's permit. They should be issued a temporary driver's license. The money they earn here should be taxable. I just noticed in my local newspaper that the county is voting on whether or not to change the voting ballots into half English and half Spanish. We should not be forced to learn their language since they are the ones that want to live here; they need to abide by our ways. Has anyone ever considered what this would entail? Would ALL of our textbooks, law books, newspapers, magazines, signs, legal documents, advertisements, money, etc have to be written in Spanish? Give me a break!!!!! THIS IS THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA - founded with the English language. Let's remember why this country was formed and founded upon - THE ENGLISH.

The illegal immigrant rallies told me one thing....where all those people are living and working. What large businesses are hiring them and where the authorities should be cracking down on hiring illegal people. This is crazy. Do we just opne and/or erase the border between mexico and the US?.....we can not do that as we are becoming a 3rd world country. Fine those companies now and make them hire Americans on welfare....and make them pay a decent wage. I ask if those large companies are paying worker's comp? I don't think so....they need to be fined now. Politicians are afraid to lose votes...make them do it..write letters. Now.

Well to think that alot of people think this way about imigrants, yes theres gangs yes theres graffitti but did you stop to think that african americans also have gangs, also make graffitti same as white people, you talk about us imigrants taking white peoples job, hey its your fault if your too layz to get off ur fat ass and do it, the fact is, we come here in search of a better life and we find it in jobs that YOU the white people arent willing to do. And aonther thing, before you go and judge us with all the negative crap you say about us, God once said, let he who is with out sin cast the first stone.

Dear Brian, since nearly all the immigration news stories told which big businesses closed (Perdue, etc), I hope you will suggest on your Evening New Program that the I.R.S. check these companies to be sure they are paying employer taxes on these illegal immigrants. And that they have filled out W-4's, so that state, federal, social security and medicare taxes are being withheld from each employee. It seems to me that the I.R.S. and Immigration and Naturalization have been handed a free pass to check on these companies and their employees. Surely these huge corporations are not paying these millions of illigals in cash.

The definition of Illegal, means "Prohibited by Law". So if all these people are here 'Illegally", and protesting in our streets, and purposely trying to slow or stop our ecomony,then why do we procescute drug dealers, bank robbers, car thiefs, etc.?. We procescute them because they broke the law. The United States Government needs to quit slapping the americans in the face, and do the jobs, that we elected them to do. If we continue to cater to everyone in the world the United States will very soon, become a poverty stricten 3rd world country.

We are to blame. We started hiring illegals to save money. They take the jobs no one else wants to do because we taught our kids that they shouldn't have to work at such lowly jobs...they deserve better, even when it's not earned! Everything has been given to this generation and the previous one by the post WWII generation, and it's going to be our downfall. Yes, being illegal is wrong...for those who came here for a better life, like our parents and grandparents did from Europe and became citizens, it's a slap in the face to them and their descendents. If the immigrants want equal rights, jobs, housing, and a better life in the United States, then respect our Nation, learn the language, and become citizens.

I would protest in the streets for the rights of Americans and immagrants that are legal but you see I had to work so that I could pay taxes so that those people who think we stole part of there country could go out on our streets and demand that we give them the same rights that we have. I have never broken the law I work I send my kids to school and I pay my taxes. If I did something illegal I would get punished for it that is why we have laws. If they want to stand in line to get into America that is fine coming here illegal is not fine. The goverment had better wake up and send them the right message because law abiding tax paying citizens are just about fed up.

I reside in the one state in the union that has the lowest immigration numbers and still the topic is a sore spot with many here. We have carpenters, union workers, professionals--both ends of the employment spectrum--and we find our news station and newspapers scattered with, "Another Group of Illegal Immigrants found Working at Construction Site.", etc. on and on....and that fires up the debate more over illegals right to work, be here, etc. especially when you find out that they made $15 dollars less than a citizen and paid no taxes..how can you compete with that.Please, don't get me wrong,I am not against anyone gaining there citizenship to this country and to what we have to offer and I feel that if they are willing to at least put forth that very small effort of being a United States citizen then maybe they have something to offer our communities as well, but do it legally...then you can march, protest, vote, yell, scream, jump up and down about the government of the United States just like the rest of us do that were born here! And I agree with the statement made by another comment before me that if you have it so bad here then leave...
I am a mother of 2 children, working full time for the benefits and the monies that I earn and I would at least like to know that my tax dollars are going to help the people of the United States first. We have veterans of previous wars that are homeless, Iraq war families whose fathers, sons, and husbands have gone over are on welfare or are barely making it...and this is wrong (whatever your stand on the Iraq war is). In my home we take care of our own first, then if we are able we help whom ever we can..
but don't expect it just because you got across the border undetected and have lived here for X amount of years.
Maybe we should just take in a deep breath and understand that I am sure that I do not and will not know all issues that face illegal immigrants or immigrants for that matter...but my opinion is that if you want to be here, work here, raise a family here, live here...then become an United States citizen and lets move on...hell, there are people in this world dying for country and some for nothing but starvation and political unjust...maybe then we could tackle the tougher issues...together!?

You know it's funny, my day went off without a hitch on "Immigation Day." To show their true economic impact, maybe they should not utilize US and State social services resources one day this month. Then we would really see their economic impact!

I know the pro-immigrant demonstrations (which were very obviously made-for-the-TV-cameras) were yesterday's "one big story," but just the same there was entirely too much coverage--over 50% of the newscast--on them. Up to 1 segment would have been sufficient.

I did notice, in the report out of Washington, where a New Orleans demonstration by Latino immigrants helping in her rebuilding effort was briefly shown--had NBC Nightly aired a full report out of New Orleans on this, last night's newscast would have been vastly improved, and I would not be complaining today.

It tears my heart out and shreds my spirit when on days like yesterday I read in the Times-Picayune, Baton Rouge Advocate, and other Louisiana papers online about how her people are valiantly struggling to survive--let alone clean up and rebuild their homes and lives--amidst mountains of debris like those in the Lower 9th--where the water is still not safe to drink or even bathe in, and electricity is still spotty at best--and then seeing little or nothing out of New Orleans on NBC Nightly.

I'm posting this with tears in my eyes--it upset me when, after having seen first-rate Louisiana coverage for about 2 weeks, there was nothing at all Sunday night, and it made me almost physically ill yesterday to read in the blog where someone had actually rejoiced over there having been no post-Katrina coverage. This being the latest of more than a few callous, mean-spirited, distressing anti-Louisiana and New Orleans postings I've seen in the past few days.

At that time, I've also read a great deal from storm survivors from New Orleans and elsewhere in Louisiana and have found profoundly moving their descriptions of the physical and psychological trials and tribulations of life in the storm zone and the intense struggle to put their shattered lives back together. It would take a combination of stamina and chutzpah to manage this without falling apart. Louisiana and her people at this time need other Americans to come down and help them, or, if they are unable to do so, as I am, to be supportive and empathetic and offer a sympathetic ear and a shoulder to cry on. The last thing they need with what they must endure is to hear people in distant states whining about Louisiana being in the news too much and about her people not being deserving of help.

That must seem overly sensitive on my part--perhaps the negative comments wouldn't disturb me so much were NBC Nightly were to make time for post-Katrina coverage every evening. But at times when such coverage is skimpy or non-existent, I begin to worry that someone at NBC Nightly has decided to "wave the white flag."

This is an especially nerve-wracking time for Louisiana, which, still in a great deal of pain from the previous storms, fearfully awaits the start of a new hurricane season which is less than a month away. This is the worst possible time to forsake Louisiana and her agonized people. Now is not the time to knuckle under to those who would have NBC Nightly "move on" and cover "actual current news."

Please bring back the sort of excellent post-Katrina coverage that had been airing before Sunday.

Send them back where they belong there doing more harm than good. Put americans to work not illegals

why are the american people that are hiring the people that are here without papers being charged with any crime? isn't it against the law to hire them. if you don't hire them they will not come.
why isn't anything being stressed in the news about the illegal employers who are not paying taxes. isn't it against the law to work people for less than minamal wages? why aren't they charged with conspiracy to commit fraud against the usa? this is a two way street. for every illegal worker there is an illegal boss defruading the illegal worker and the usa

We have no one to blame as Americans, but ourselves about immigration and everything else going on in this country right now. We have got to realize that the government is actually working against the PEOPLE, not for the PEOPLE. We have the power to CHANGE things, but we won't do it. The people running this country owe their blood to corporations, so until that is changed (may need a revolution) a downhill America is what we got.

Kind of off topic, but I think it's ridiculous that noone is reporting Stephen Colbert's speech at the White House Correspondents Dinner. That man should be given a medal and all the news networks are not reporting it to stay in the administration's good graces.

Come on Brian, prove me wrong.

In a country filled with so many diverse people coming from so many different cultures and backgrounds, it always catches me off guard when I read something like this that is so ethnocentric, and racist. In a country founded on immigrants, founded on people looking for a better life and a better future for their children, can anyone really blame them for risking their lives, and the lives of their families for a chance of something better. Is that not the American dream? The hope for something better? Or is the American dream only for certain groups of people? Its very scary to me that we as a society maybe so self-centered that we can’t understand another person’s longing for a better life. I personally believe we, the richest country in the world have no right to deny these people the right to be happy, healthy, educated, and have some part of all the rights that we enjoy everyday. Granted I think something should be done to slow the amount of people coming into this country illegally, but we have no right to round these families up like pigs going to a slaughterhouse, and send them back as if they have no worth or value as human beings! We, not only as Americans but as fellow human beings, have no right to do that to anyone. The recent undertone of people crying that these people are taking their jobs is in many cases unfounded. In most cases these jobs that these people take are jobs that we as American people will not do. Seriously, do want to mow lawns , wash cars, long days of picking fruit, or how about sweep blood in a slaughterhouse? Its not fair that anyone should have to struggle, but let’s not push our problems on to certain groups of people. To be quite honest if you want to be mad at someone for the recent loss in construction, factory, and other jobs like this, you need to be mad at big businesses that move their factories to other countries to exploit cheap labor not only in Mexico, but many countries around the globe. And also blame yourself for wanting larger pay, better and easier jobs, bigger homes, more benefits, because all of this comes at a cost. Companies cant just pull money out of thin air, and when a smaller company can’t compete with these superstores chains, people start losing jobs. I am not saying that it is not right to want a better life. What I am trying to say is that we as a American people need to step back to reevaluate our situation as a whole, and stop trying to find “easy outs.” In my personal opinion it’s the “easy outs” that have gotten us in this situation.

I was happy to find the Daily Nightly Blog - it was moved on the main page, so I'm glad it wasn't cancelled. What I learned from the "boycott" today was that when my son ordered his usual "plain hamburger - just meat and bun, please" at McDonald's... that's what he got, first time. We didn't have to drive back through and explain to someone that it didn't mean cheese, pickles, catsup, and mustard. And, oh yeah, he got a boy toy, too instead of one for a little girl. It was a pleasure. Last week at 8 p.m. in an Anglo neighborhood here in Denver... there was not one person working, including the manager who could speak English. I asked the manager (after trying to explain 'plain hamburger') what would happen if there was an emergency. He said, "Call 911. Call 911." That was it.

As further proof that I'm a bad mom, but a good consumer... I went through a Taco Bell today and when the woman asked how I was, I said, "Fine thanks. How are you? And she said, "We're all terrific! Thanks!" And I got napkins, a straw, AND a spork... all without begging!

My grandparents came here, learned the language, paid taxes, obeyed the law, raised 7 kids, voted for FDR to help "save the country, then win the war" and died proud of their work. Oh yeah, they wanted a better life for their kids, too, that's why they escaped to a country with a port and WORKED TO BUY TICKETS to sail to America on the Lusitania in 1914.

Why should I be impressed by these people who break the law and expect to be rewarded for it? Spare me.

Its true that illegal immigrants don't have rights but the Republican Party can not use them as an escape goat for the high gas prices, the devastating Irag war (which I supported before the constant mistakes) and the curruption plauging their party.
Illegal immigrants come here to work and our companies hire them. If it was not for the companies hiring them then we would not have the influx of immigration. I know thereare people still hiring for picking fruits, cleaning house and washing dishes so if you want does jobs please take them. I know of people that would rather take their
unemployment check then take those hard low paying jobs. Therefore, do not take your aggression towards the immigrats but the companies we purchase from.
We do benefit from their low wages by purchasing cheaper iteam. The illegal immigrants compose 25% of the agriculture buisness. Will our food stay the same price
if they would be deported back.
Also, one blogger wrote that illegal alliens bring street gangs, graffitti and drugs but there has been reaseared done and this not true. The illegal aliens had the lowest incarceration rate compare to natives, even though they are poor. Here is the link to the Harvard professor's research. http://www.phil.frb.org/econ/conf/immigration/Piehl.pdf#search='Immigration%20and%20crime%20harvard'

If you know research from a credible source that contradicts this new research, please let me know to correct myself

I am not in favor of amenisty but in favor of the Kennedy bill. This is the best bill that will allow our unwanted jobs to be filled and lead the immigrants to citenship.

Today's boycott is a slap in the face to U.S. citizens and immigrants who have crossed our borders LEGALLY. If those who took part in today's marches hoped to win me over the result is the opposite. I am angered by law breakers who demand their "rights" in a country which is not theirs! Their "rights" were to enter legally, or not at all. End of story.

I have two points about this immigration issue and the way it is being reported.

One everyone in the western hemisphere is an American (North, Central, or South)however, I am a United States Citizen and when you refer to being an American as if every American is a US Citizen I get upset. Only U.S. citizens have the right to decide on the laws of the United States and its immigration policies and the media and politicians should remember that.

Two I have heard the immigration story served up by the media as a dividing the nation; I don't believe that non-citizens can be counted as members of my nation and thus can not divide it. I think that it is time for the U.S. Citizens to stand up and make a decision by vote on the issue whereby the politicians and the media only get their one vote a person to speak their conscience by ballot. It is the right of the US Citizens to decide this and no other person(s) of the world.

Too bad they don't spend the same energy in protesting to effect real political change in the country(ies) from which they come. They should be acting to overthrough the corrupt governments in their homelands so that they can stay home. To that end, they should be protesting to have this administration and congress to enact policies and legislation that do not reward those corrupt governments.

By my watch, over 2/3 of tonites broacast was immigration "propaganda" NO WAY do these marches, protests or whatever you choose to call them deserve any more than 4 or 5 minutes. I've watched Tom, Brian etal for years, but no more if this slanting continues. Schieffer CBS had less than 5 minutes and inclued Iraq, Iran and other truly newsworthy info. I'm changing my evening news source and will do lots more exploring of more balanced sources.

My grandparents were immigrants and they insisted that only English was spoken in the home. The USA did not have to pay for an extra set of DMV books or City/ County /State forms and papers be printed in there language of origin, Swedish. Why, because they had respect for themselves and others. The immigrants of today want us to count the cost toward the economy….wow, where do we start, Health Care, School system, etc. They amount that they pay for cheap food and cheap dry goods that they can afford could not possibly equal the cost of have them here. May be they should just keep walking all the way back to there country and protest to there Government and stand up to them.

I see all these petitions and blogs on what the "marches" today have done for the illegals. I personally observed EVERY closed door of Every establishment on my normal route and vowed NEVER to darken their doors again. These are the "sweatshops" that don't really look at documentation. Places that hire illegals or have family members that back such illegals. I will not go back to them. First was Jack in the Box on Horizon. Think about it citizens. Why tell these employers we will back them.

Until today I was sum what sympathetic with the migrant workers in this Country until they started flying the American flag upside down and chanting Viva Mexico!! I fought for this country to protect everyone, But if they are so patriotic to Mexico then they should go back. Don't come to this country and be disrespectful to the people that are helpping them to support their families. After today they can all go home.