NEWS
Seeking reform for immigrants
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Also by Keegan Kyle:
- Nothing to complain about? (December 12, 2007)
- Recruiting isn't easy on campus (December 7, 2007)
- Doyle set to sign off on ethics (February 2, 2007)
- Volunteerism on the road (October 19, 2007)
- Down and dirty on campus sanitation (October 11, 2007)
Related Stories:
- Activists rally for immigrant rights (October 15, 2007)
- Madison rallies for immigrant rights (May 2, 2007)
- Bush introduces plan for immigrants (January 19, 2004)
- Immigrants rally at Capitol (September 13, 2007)
- Senate toughens ID acquisition (February 24, 2006)
by Keegan Kyle
Friday, March 9, 2007
Speakers from religious, labor and Hispanic communities gathered at the state Capitol Thursday to protest the federal Real ID Act and rally support for immigration reform.
Passed by Congress in 2005, the Real ID Act creates federal standards for state driver's licenses in an effort to improve national security and border patrol.
Rev. Amanda Stein of Trinity United Methodist Church was one of several speakers calling for reform.
"I would say that it is because we have no coherent immigration policy that we have people dying at our borders," Stein said before nearly 40 people. "This is a disgrace to God."
The Madison Immigrant Workers Union, which organized the Capitol event, will hold several events this month and is planning a march to the Capitol building March 24.
Anonymous (March 9, 2007 @ 7:24am):
"I would say that it is because we have no coherent immigration policy that we have people dying at our borders," Stein said before nearly 40 people. "This is a disgrace to God."
Um, aren't they voluntarily crossing our borders for personal gain? You're right, Jesus taught us to seek wealth no matter what the cost. I think it's time to reevaluate your religion.
Anonymous (March 9, 2007 @ 8:13am):
"I would say that it is because we have no coherent immigration policy that we have people dying at our borders"
Nope - it's mostly because those people are criminals. All they have to do is enter the USA legally and they would not be dying, but that would mean standing in line with the millions of people all over the world who wish to enter the USA. I have no sympathy for line jumpers who won't follow the rules.
Anonymous (March 9, 2007 @ 9:23am):
Arrest that girl in the photo.
Anonymous (March 9, 2007 @ 9:27am):
Why does a protest of 40 people warrant a story?
Anonymous (March 9, 2007 @ 9:58am):
It's not "immigration", it's an INVASION.
The borders should be secured. There should be a coherent policy that the invasion will be stopped! Bring the troops home from Iraq, and the Balkans, and Germany, and Japan, and Korea. Put them on the border to stop the invasion.
The campaign to accomplish the enlargement of Mexico at America's expense is called Reconquista, which is Spanish for Reconquest. For several decades, the border between America and Mexico has resembled a sieve; and for political reasons, the governments of both nations have refused to secure it. Mexican politicians encourage illegal immigration by their citizens into America for three main reasons. First, illegal immigrants send home money which in turn helps Mexico's economy. Second, Mexican politicians see illegal immigration to America as a way to reduce crime and poverty in Mexico. Third, most Mexican politicians hate America and back Reconquista.
Anonymous (March 9, 2007 @ 10:19am):
The problem is that they are entering the country illegally. Too bad if they die out there in the desert. Do the smugglers even bother to tell them what they're in for? I'm not sympathetic. Millions of our jobs went south of the border over the last twenty years. They have our jobs, let 'em be happy with that. But when they come up here and get construction and manufacturing jobs starting at $15 and hour, that's where I draw the line! A lot of Americans would kill for a job that pays that good!
Anonymous (March 9, 2007 @ 10:48am):
The "immigration reform" they seek is a free ride.
Sort of like the "un-documented un-depositors" asking that the laws against bank robbery be eased.
And make no mistake - these criminals are stealing the opportunity to enter the USA, an opportunity that millions of people all over the world are standing in line for.
Anonymous (March 9, 2007 @ 11:20am):
This debate is amazing considering that there is not immediate election. Who knew that people don't just use this issue for political gain?
Anonymous (March 9, 2007 @ 11:23am):
To 9:27am:
I'd hardly call this a story. Yep, the word-count tells me it's 128 words. That doesn't even reach the LTE threshold.
(That is, unless they're going for the picture is worth a thousand words thing...)
Anonymous (March 9, 2007 @ 2:39pm):
true not much of a story. however it is foolish to say that americans would kill for jobs that immigrants are having. most immigrants aren't getting that 15/hr job. remember people, the majority of people on welfare in this country are not hispanic, but whites and blacks - and its always been like that. immigrants are only taking up jobs that "americans" are too lazy to take up.
Anonymous (March 9, 2007 @ 2:41pm):
I make a motion that a few posters pick up a 9:55 class (9:58, 10:19, 10:48), may I suggest a course on the history of migrant labor...or perhaps english
"A lot of Americans would kill for a job that pays that good!"
well, the job pays well.
Anonymous (March 9, 2007 @ 2:49pm):
oh by the way, manufacturing jobs for immigrants dont start them out at $15/hr but rather $7,8,9 bucks an hour.
if people on welfare in this country (majority being whites and blacks) knew what it was like to live in a third world nation/developing country where poverty affects more than 50 % of the population, where your corrupt government didnt provide public assistance...believe me, they wouldnt be lazy anymore and they'd find a job. there wouldnt be any white trash in the USA believe me.
if you all knew what it was like, believe me, you wouldnt be saying all the nonsense youre all saying. get out of your shells people and look at the whole world
Anonymous (March 9, 2007 @ 2:50pm):
"the majority of people on welfare in this country are not hispanic, but whites and blacks"
correction: the majority of people on welfare are white.
Anonymous (March 9, 2007 @ 2:50pm):
2:41: Your English needs a little help too. In this country, we capitalize the first letters of sentences and use periods at the end of sentences.
Anonymous (March 9, 2007 @ 3:05pm):
I'm always amazed at the sense of entitlement among Madison students.
Do you really think that poor Mexicans are really trying to reclaim America and steal American jobs because they hate America? Or could it be that after 80 years of American-sponsored mismanagement and neoliberal policies all their job opportunities have been destroyed and their land has been stolen? Migration is never a matter of will, it's a matter of survival.
Anonymous (March 9, 2007 @ 3:16pm):
At least we're being invaded by catholic work-a-holics, it could be worse.
I'd suppose that the French would trade immigrant problems with the US in a heartbeat - LOL.
Anonymous (March 9, 2007 @ 4:34pm):
To 2:50pm -- Although standardized punctuation and capitalization are usually taught in "English class," they are matters of style, not English.
English is, indeed, a living language.
Anonymous (March 9, 2007 @ 4:57pm):
"Do you really think that poor Mexicans are really trying to reclaim America..."
Nope, I think that rich Mexicans are using the USA as a dumping ground for the problems that they have created for themselves. Yeah, yeah, I know you'll say it's all the USA's fault that the rich Mexicans have completely screwed the poor Mexicans but I don't buy that.
Anonymous (March 9, 2007 @ 10:35pm):
I understand that people like to voice their opinion and I admire that some of you have decided to express your anger and hatred based on your misconsceptions of what is the reality for a lot of the immigrants. A lot of people feel that they are being invaded. Let me remind you that the invasion of America started when the Mayflower landed in Native American soil many years ago, illegally-no visas or permission was given. It would be awsome if the jobs you say these people are taking are at 15.00 per hour I would like to know where they are to apply for one (I am an American citizen). Most of the jobs these people get are in the low wage range. I would like to know if you will ever compete in the market for the jobs these people take.
Anonymous (March 9, 2007 @ 11:32pm):
"immigrants are only taking up jobs that "americans" are too lazy to take up."
Kid, I have seen illegals out in the western states that actually make that much! Go to California, Oregon, Utah and Colorado and you'll see them taking home that much money.
In the LA Times last Spring, they did a story about illegals in the LA Metro area making that much. They also interviewed a landscaper who had tough time filling landscaping jobs at-I'm not making this up-$35/hr. Thirty-five bucks an hour! Now tell me you couldn't find a college student who'd be happy to drop out of school and take a job like that!
Scenarios like those aren't as commonplace here in the Midwest, so maybe you'd find that to be unfathomable. Just go out West and you'll witness it firsthand, I guarantee!
Anonymous (March 10, 2007 @ 11:18am):
"Thirty-five bucks an hour! Now tell me you couldn't find a college student who'd be happy to drop out of school and take a job like that!"
Hey genious, obviously they COULD NOT FIND A COLLEGE KID TO FILL THAT POSITION. If you want the job, because it pays SO much, why don't you take it, American... American who wants to fill that job... American, take your damn job back.
Anonymous (March 10, 2007 @ 11:46am):
"the invasion of America started when the Mayflower"
BS, the "invasion" started tens of thousands of years before that. There's no such thing as a "Native American", only people whose ancestors have been here for different lengths of time. The so-called "Native Americans" were fighting and killing each long before the Mayflower arrived. All land tiltels are at bottom "By Right of Conquest". I'm sure that the Anglo-Saxons would like their land back from the Normans, but then didn't they conquer it from the Britons? The "Native Americans" have made out as well or better than most conquered peoples.
For me it's a matter of fairness. It's not fair that Mexicans are jumping the line. Too bad there's not a wide open frontier to support open borders but there's not. Feel free to trade your American citizenship to soem poor Mexican but don't expect me to. My ancestors arrived here over 400 years ago. I'm a direct decendant of a Civil War Union Soldier who was a direct decendent of a Revolutionary War Soldier. This gives me a far greater claim to the benefits of living in the USA than somebody here illegally. Maybe you think that's not fair, but I think that it's just.
Anonymous (March 10, 2007 @ 1:11pm):
America? America starts from Argentina all the way to Canada.
Anonymous (March 10, 2007 @ 3:42pm):
You say it's a matter of fairness, but you have to consider that these jobs have been made available to illegal aliens by private employers and corporations for years. Who's more at fault, the employer or the employee?
There is NO ONE criticizing business for their complicit illegal activity. If you want to send workers back, you also have to shut down the businesses who have enjoyed cheap illegal labor... in "fairness."
If you oppose illegal immigrants without opposing illegal employers, you're as good as racist/ nationalist. If you also oppose illegal employers, you're being fair and reasonable.
Anonymous (March 10, 2007 @ 7:33pm):
Here we go again, using the race card. Does everything have to be racist? Geez, can anyone have an opinion on any matter without some other (insert adjective to describe mental ability here) making it a race issue?
That said, you are right, you want to stop illegal immigration, you have to hit those who employ them AND take away (severely reduce) access to various public services. As long as they can come to this country, find work, and or live off the sweat of those legally employed in the US, they will keep coming.
Anonymous (March 11, 2007 @ 1:55pm):
I have seen NO ONE suggesting how business can ensure that there are no illegal aliens working for them. Any attempt at checking credentials is branded as racist. And then there's the problem with credentials. Just how DO you prove that you are a citizen in an age of easily obtained false documents.
A high security, biometric, DNA based national identity card is the method which might work, but I don't think you will find much appetite for that on either the left or the right (or the center either).
That's why I advocate strong border controls. Much better than setting up internal sercuity officials to ask everyone "PAPERS, PAPERS, WHERE ARE YOUR PAPERS".
Strong border controls would also allow the USA to go back to running the government on import duties instead of income taxes. The same systems preventing smuggling people could stop goods from coming in without paying duties.
Anonymous (March 11, 2007 @ 1:56pm):
My apologies, I meant xenophobic, not racist. It's not the immigrants' fault for the "invasion," just like it's not the ants' fault when you leave your sucker on the sidewalk.
The immigration issue clearly shows that our government has become too big and too sloppy. I'm surprised a "conservative" like Bush would rely so heavily on big government bureaucracies, like the department of Homeland Security, when his party FOR YEARS has preached about the waste and inefficiencies of the very same government.
We've not just left the immigration sucker on the sidewalk, we've left billions of suckers... well, you decide who is the sucker.
Anonymous (March 11, 2007 @ 4:54pm):
Every job I've ever had required me to show my social security card. But you raise a good point about phony documents. Why is it that a Sam's Club card is laminated and bar coded, but your SS card is not?
How can you ask your government to "secure the borders" when they cannot even produce a respectable SS card? A national ID card is a good idea, but it will have to double as a passport and social security card too.
Anonymous (March 11, 2007 @ 6:02pm):
People, please, think, understand, and educate yourselves. Your misconceptions and lack of empathy are pathetic. I'm ashamed to call you Americans.
Anonymous (March 11, 2007 @ 7:40pm):
6:02, I am educated, but not empathetic to illegals. My wife is a LEGAL immigrant, she went through all the INS (I know, old name, same function) BS to get here.
I would like anyone here to tell me of one other country that would tolerate the influx of illegals the U.S. endures (or for that matter, has so many people wanting to risk life and limb to get it... but that is another discussion). You are right, there are none!!
I have no problem with immigration, it is needed (most coming here legally still strive to achieve the American dream... too bad most born here expect it to be given to them), just do it legally. Punish the suppliers (and yes, I can't figure out why Bush has ignored this issue for the most part) and the rest will fall into place.
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