My Rare Political Statement...Illegal Immigrants
This is a long post. However, it addresses BOTH sides of the immigration issue.
The actual bill as it was received in the Senate from the House. http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=109_cong_bills&docid=f:h4437rfs.txt.pdf
In a nutshell, here is what the bill provides (ref: Wikipedia):
· Requires up to 700 miles (1100 km) of fence along the US-Mexican border at points with the highest number of immigrant deaths. (House Amendment 648, authored by Duncan Hunter)
· Requires the federal government to take custody of illegal aliens detained by local authorities. This would end the practice of "catch and release", where federal officials sometimes instruct local law enforcement to release detained illegal aliens because resources to prosecute them are not available. It also reimburses local agencies in the 29 counties along the border for costs related to detaining illegal aliens. (Section 607)
· Mandates employers to verify workers' legal status through electronic means, phased in over several years. Also requires reports to be sent to Congress one and two years after implementation to ensure that it is being used. (Title VII)
· Eliminates the Diversity Immigrant Visa (also known as Green Card Lottery) program. (House Amendment 650, authored by Bob Goodlatte)
· Prohibits grants to federal, state, or local government agencies that enact or maintain a sanctuary policy. (House Amendment 659, authored by Thomas Tancredo)
· Incorporates satellite communications between immigration enforcement officials. (House Amendment 638, authored by John Carter)
· Requires all United States Border Patrol uniforms to be made in the U.S. to avoid forgeries. (House Amendment 641, authored by Rick Renzi)
· Institutes a timeline for deployment of US-VISIT to all land-based checkpoints. (House Amendment 642, authored by Michael Castle)
· Requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to report to Congress on the number of OTMs (Other Than Mexicans) apprehended and deported and the number of those from states that sponsor terror. (Section 401)
· Formalizes Congressional condemnation of rapes by smugglers along the border and urges Mexico to take immediate action to prevent them. (House Amendment 647, authored by Ginny Brown-Waite)
· All illegals before deported must pay a fine of $3,000 if they agree to leave voluntarily but do not adhere to the terms of their agreement. The grace period for voluntary departure is shortened to 60 days.
· All children born to illegal immigrants in the United States will become wards of the state.
· Requires DHS to conduct a study on the potential for border fencing on the US-Canada border.
· Sets the minimum sentence for fraudulent documents at 10 years, fines, or both, with tougher sentencing in cases of aiding drug trafficking and terrorism.
· Establishes a Fraudulent Documents Center within DHS.
· Increases penalties for aggravated felonies and various frauds, including marriage fraud and document fraud.
· Establishes an 18-month deadline for DHS to control the border, with a progress report due one year after enactment of the legislation.
· Requires criminal record, terrorist watch list clearance, and fraudulent document checks for any alien before being granted legal immigration status.
· Reimburses states aiding in immigration enforcement.
· Housing of illegals will be considered a felony and subject to no less than 3 years in prison.
· Allows deportation of any illegal alien convicted of driving under the influence (DUI).
· Adds human trafficking and human smuggling to the money-laundering statute.
· Increases penalties for employing illegal aliens to $7,500 for first time offenses, $15,000 for second offenses, and $40,000 for all subsequent offenses.
· Refusing to accept immigrants from countries which delay or refuse to accept the foreign country's citizens deported from the United States (Section 404)
Debate
The House version of the bill is opposed by a variety of immigrant, social, humanitarian, and religious organizations. Some opposition groups state that it would unfairly affect over 11 million illegal immigrants, their family members, and communities. Some claim that it includes measures which create substantial barriers to community policing critical to public safety. Some also claim the legislation represents the harshest anti-immigrant bill in nearly a century.[citation needed]
When discussing this bill it is important to note that the bill does not specify one particular group over any other; passage of the bill would affect all illegal aliens living within the US. The fact that most of the protests to date have come largely from Mexican and Latino based population centers stems from the fact that Latinos are believed to be the largest illegal-immigrant ethnic group in the country, with approximately 11 million non-citizens in the US.[citation needed]
Detractors say the bill includes measures that will infringe on the human rights of asylum seekers by stripping important due process protections, criminalizing status over which they may have no control, and dramatically limiting their access to essential services. It would also turn undocumented illegal immigrants into felons, and punish anyone guilty of providing them assistance. It also would create several new mandatory minimum penalties for a variety of offenses, including some that would expose humanitarian workers, public schoolteachers, church workers, and others whose only object is to provide relief and aid to five-year mandatory minimum prison sentences.[citation needed]
On the opposite side of the issue it is argued that living illegally in the United States is a crime, and that this bill merely aims at recementing US immigration codes that have for so long been neglected. Supporters of the bill also argue that it will increase border security by providing more US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to the border, thereby helping to curtail any possible illegal entry to the country by terrorists. H.R. 4437 has also been loosely tied to the USA PATRIOT Act, which among other things increases the government's power of surveillance by reducing the number of people who could be potential risks to the country. It is also argued that the passage of this bill may help curtail drug trafficking and human trafficking from Mexico to the US by depriving smugglers of sources and contacts on the US side of the border.[citation needed]
Response
Millions of individuals have protested the legislation, claiming that it will break up families and result in mass deportation. Their leaders have called for Congress to pass a bill that allows individuals currently not authorized to be present in the country to receive legal status. The United States Senate has various bills working through its committee that have stricken some of the provisions from H.R. 4437, such as the parts declaring illegal presence to be a felony and criminalizing aid to illegal alliens. In addition, many cities and counties have taken formal positions opposing the bill. Labor unions have also opposed the bill, though there is division among the labor movement as to whether to support a guest worker program, or amnesty to those currently present, two provisions currently in some of the Senate bills.
In support of the bill are many immigration reduction organizations. The Minuteman Project has taken a position supporting the bill as a first step to controlling the border. In addition, conservative talk radio hosts have come out in support of the bill.
The Running Joke:
If, you are ready for the adventure of a lifetime, TRY THIS:
Enter Mexico illegally. Never mind immigration quotas, visas, international law, or any of that nonsense.
Once there, demand that the local government provide free medical care for you and your entire family. Demand bilingual nurses and doctors.
Demand free bilingual local government forms, bulletins, etc.
Keep your American identity strong. Fly Old Glory from your rooftop, or proudly display it in your front window or on your car bumper.
Speak only English at home and in public and insist that your children do likewise.
Demand classes on American culture in the Mexican school system.
Demand a local Mexican driver license. This will afford other legal rights and will go far to legitimize your unauthorized, illegal, presence in Mexico.
Drive around with no liability insurance and ignore local traffic laws.
Insist that local Mexican law enforcement teach English to all its officers.
Good luck! You'll be demanding for the rest of time, because it will never happen. It will not happen in Mexico or any other country in the world except right here in the United States, land of the naive and stupid, idiotic politically correct politicians.
This brings me to my point (as I almost always have one, today two). Why are we debating on this? If the illegal (key word here) immigrants are not thrilled with the thought of being arrested for being in the country illegally and considered a felon, then go back to the country of origin and request the visa/citizen process in a legal manner.
Coming to the US and screaming about “rights” afforded to you are not legitimate. The rights are for the citizens of the United States. You do not have the right to vote, free speech, freedom of assembly, bear arms or otherwise. You are illegal immigrants, just as many white people were before you (Native American stab).
Black ancestors were brought to this country involuntarily. So, as far as they are concerned, they deserve the rights of everyone under the Constitution. George Mason intended it that way when it was originally designed.
My second point is this for my brethren to the South. You should not debate this issue. Why? Because, you too are of Native American decent (more than some considered Native American). The doors should be open for any and all Native Americans whether it be Mayan or Sioux. You are performing the jobs, most Americans are not willing to perform to better yourselves and your family. You should be requesting the walls and borders be removed for all Natives, not for rights in an already established set of laws defining the people as “illegal.”
It is believed that this will cause an economic consequence to the U.S. by allowing all of these people to enter legally. So, instead of bringing in cheap labor willing to work in the jobs most do not want, let’s send our jobs overseas, outsource to India and China, or open up the Free Trade Agreement to send the jobs over the border. Oh, wait…we already do that…and we lose revenue.
Did you know…
The treasury department has more than twenty people assigned to catching people who violate the trade and tourism embargo with Cuba. In contrast, it has only four employees assigned to track the assets of Osama bin Laden and Saddam Hussein.
The actual bill as it was received in the Senate from the House. http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=109_cong_bills&docid=f:h4437rfs.txt.pdf
In a nutshell, here is what the bill provides (ref: Wikipedia):
· Requires up to 700 miles (1100 km) of fence along the US-Mexican border at points with the highest number of immigrant deaths. (House Amendment 648, authored by Duncan Hunter)
· Requires the federal government to take custody of illegal aliens detained by local authorities. This would end the practice of "catch and release", where federal officials sometimes instruct local law enforcement to release detained illegal aliens because resources to prosecute them are not available. It also reimburses local agencies in the 29 counties along the border for costs related to detaining illegal aliens. (Section 607)
· Mandates employers to verify workers' legal status through electronic means, phased in over several years. Also requires reports to be sent to Congress one and two years after implementation to ensure that it is being used. (Title VII)
· Eliminates the Diversity Immigrant Visa (also known as Green Card Lottery) program. (House Amendment 650, authored by Bob Goodlatte)
· Prohibits grants to federal, state, or local government agencies that enact or maintain a sanctuary policy. (House Amendment 659, authored by Thomas Tancredo)
· Incorporates satellite communications between immigration enforcement officials. (House Amendment 638, authored by John Carter)
· Requires all United States Border Patrol uniforms to be made in the U.S. to avoid forgeries. (House Amendment 641, authored by Rick Renzi)
· Institutes a timeline for deployment of US-VISIT to all land-based checkpoints. (House Amendment 642, authored by Michael Castle)
· Requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to report to Congress on the number of OTMs (Other Than Mexicans) apprehended and deported and the number of those from states that sponsor terror. (Section 401)
· Formalizes Congressional condemnation of rapes by smugglers along the border and urges Mexico to take immediate action to prevent them. (House Amendment 647, authored by Ginny Brown-Waite)
· All illegals before deported must pay a fine of $3,000 if they agree to leave voluntarily but do not adhere to the terms of their agreement. The grace period for voluntary departure is shortened to 60 days.
· All children born to illegal immigrants in the United States will become wards of the state.
· Requires DHS to conduct a study on the potential for border fencing on the US-Canada border.
· Sets the minimum sentence for fraudulent documents at 10 years, fines, or both, with tougher sentencing in cases of aiding drug trafficking and terrorism.
· Establishes a Fraudulent Documents Center within DHS.
· Increases penalties for aggravated felonies and various frauds, including marriage fraud and document fraud.
· Establishes an 18-month deadline for DHS to control the border, with a progress report due one year after enactment of the legislation.
· Requires criminal record, terrorist watch list clearance, and fraudulent document checks for any alien before being granted legal immigration status.
· Reimburses states aiding in immigration enforcement.
· Housing of illegals will be considered a felony and subject to no less than 3 years in prison.
· Allows deportation of any illegal alien convicted of driving under the influence (DUI).
· Adds human trafficking and human smuggling to the money-laundering statute.
· Increases penalties for employing illegal aliens to $7,500 for first time offenses, $15,000 for second offenses, and $40,000 for all subsequent offenses.
· Refusing to accept immigrants from countries which delay or refuse to accept the foreign country's citizens deported from the United States (Section 404)
Debate
The House version of the bill is opposed by a variety of immigrant, social, humanitarian, and religious organizations. Some opposition groups state that it would unfairly affect over 11 million illegal immigrants, their family members, and communities. Some claim that it includes measures which create substantial barriers to community policing critical to public safety. Some also claim the legislation represents the harshest anti-immigrant bill in nearly a century.[citation needed]
When discussing this bill it is important to note that the bill does not specify one particular group over any other; passage of the bill would affect all illegal aliens living within the US. The fact that most of the protests to date have come largely from Mexican and Latino based population centers stems from the fact that Latinos are believed to be the largest illegal-immigrant ethnic group in the country, with approximately 11 million non-citizens in the US.[citation needed]
Detractors say the bill includes measures that will infringe on the human rights of asylum seekers by stripping important due process protections, criminalizing status over which they may have no control, and dramatically limiting their access to essential services. It would also turn undocumented illegal immigrants into felons, and punish anyone guilty of providing them assistance. It also would create several new mandatory minimum penalties for a variety of offenses, including some that would expose humanitarian workers, public schoolteachers, church workers, and others whose only object is to provide relief and aid to five-year mandatory minimum prison sentences.[citation needed]
On the opposite side of the issue it is argued that living illegally in the United States is a crime, and that this bill merely aims at recementing US immigration codes that have for so long been neglected. Supporters of the bill also argue that it will increase border security by providing more US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to the border, thereby helping to curtail any possible illegal entry to the country by terrorists. H.R. 4437 has also been loosely tied to the USA PATRIOT Act, which among other things increases the government's power of surveillance by reducing the number of people who could be potential risks to the country. It is also argued that the passage of this bill may help curtail drug trafficking and human trafficking from Mexico to the US by depriving smugglers of sources and contacts on the US side of the border.[citation needed]
Response
Millions of individuals have protested the legislation, claiming that it will break up families and result in mass deportation. Their leaders have called for Congress to pass a bill that allows individuals currently not authorized to be present in the country to receive legal status. The United States Senate has various bills working through its committee that have stricken some of the provisions from H.R. 4437, such as the parts declaring illegal presence to be a felony and criminalizing aid to illegal alliens. In addition, many cities and counties have taken formal positions opposing the bill. Labor unions have also opposed the bill, though there is division among the labor movement as to whether to support a guest worker program, or amnesty to those currently present, two provisions currently in some of the Senate bills.
In support of the bill are many immigration reduction organizations. The Minuteman Project has taken a position supporting the bill as a first step to controlling the border. In addition, conservative talk radio hosts have come out in support of the bill.
The Running Joke:
If, you are ready for the adventure of a lifetime, TRY THIS:
Enter Mexico illegally. Never mind immigration quotas, visas, international law, or any of that nonsense.
Once there, demand that the local government provide free medical care for you and your entire family. Demand bilingual nurses and doctors.
Demand free bilingual local government forms, bulletins, etc.
Keep your American identity strong. Fly Old Glory from your rooftop, or proudly display it in your front window or on your car bumper.
Speak only English at home and in public and insist that your children do likewise.
Demand classes on American culture in the Mexican school system.
Demand a local Mexican driver license. This will afford other legal rights and will go far to legitimize your unauthorized, illegal, presence in Mexico.
Drive around with no liability insurance and ignore local traffic laws.
Insist that local Mexican law enforcement teach English to all its officers.
Good luck! You'll be demanding for the rest of time, because it will never happen. It will not happen in Mexico or any other country in the world except right here in the United States, land of the naive and stupid, idiotic politically correct politicians.
This brings me to my point (as I almost always have one, today two). Why are we debating on this? If the illegal (key word here) immigrants are not thrilled with the thought of being arrested for being in the country illegally and considered a felon, then go back to the country of origin and request the visa/citizen process in a legal manner.
Coming to the US and screaming about “rights” afforded to you are not legitimate. The rights are for the citizens of the United States. You do not have the right to vote, free speech, freedom of assembly, bear arms or otherwise. You are illegal immigrants, just as many white people were before you (Native American stab).
Black ancestors were brought to this country involuntarily. So, as far as they are concerned, they deserve the rights of everyone under the Constitution. George Mason intended it that way when it was originally designed.
My second point is this for my brethren to the South. You should not debate this issue. Why? Because, you too are of Native American decent (more than some considered Native American). The doors should be open for any and all Native Americans whether it be Mayan or Sioux. You are performing the jobs, most Americans are not willing to perform to better yourselves and your family. You should be requesting the walls and borders be removed for all Natives, not for rights in an already established set of laws defining the people as “illegal.”
It is believed that this will cause an economic consequence to the U.S. by allowing all of these people to enter legally. So, instead of bringing in cheap labor willing to work in the jobs most do not want, let’s send our jobs overseas, outsource to India and China, or open up the Free Trade Agreement to send the jobs over the border. Oh, wait…we already do that…and we lose revenue.
Did you know…
The treasury department has more than twenty people assigned to catching people who violate the trade and tourism embargo with Cuba. In contrast, it has only four employees assigned to track the assets of Osama bin Laden and Saddam Hussein.
Comments
Hammer
It is not exactly correct. Everyone (citizens and non-citizens) living in U.S. rights are guaranteed by the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. For example the illegal alien has right for freedom of speech, but no right to vote.
So, I forgot to mention that I am all abut FAIR trade (as opposed to Free trade) and am very happy you made the connection between the immigration situation and the trade issues!
Keep up the good work compadre!
Paz!
Also, extra "points" for using Wikipedia. The best site on the net. ;)
It is the Preamble of the Constitution that differentiates our rights and the rights of illegal immigrants. It is an introductory statement, a preliminary explanation. Let me explain...
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense,[1] promote the general welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty, to ourselves and Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
Notice the key word "of," not "in."
The word "of" means: Derived or coming from; originating at or from
The word "in" means: Within the limits, bounds, or area of
Please do not assume that everyone within the boundaries has the rights as declared in the Bill of Rights. The Preamble defines the assumtions.
84. Whose rights are guaranteed by the Constitution and the Bill of Rights?
Everyone (citizens and non-citizens) living in U.S.
http://www.immigration.com/citizenship/questions1.html
Oh, 1 more thing, I would take one of the sample question answers as gospel. If you have ever taken one of those MCSE exams and used study questions, you know there is always one to throw them off. I am sure you know what I mean. Why in the world anyone would want to run Windows Server is beyond me.
Human trafficking and sexual slavery; every year women get arrested when they manage to escape from the above. This is because at this stage they have been smuggled into the country - and when escaping from the abusers they have ended up in prison because of their now illegal immigrant status.
What happened to actually providing them some sort support rather than imprisoning them?