I think there is a difference Jim, Illegal immigration is just that illegal, whether its people from South America crossing the Mexican border with Coyotes (people who for a hefty fee, guide them in avoiding the border patrol), or people from Europe or Australia who overstay their visitors visa.
There is a HUGE difference between those people who immigrated here through the process and those who don't. My grandparents came over in the Eastern European wave in the early 1900's. They did so legally as so many people did at that point. Sure my grandparents worked hard once they got here, but so do many people who are here illegally. But there is a difference, the people who come over illegally are just that here against the current prevailing US law. Coming from California, I have seen first hand how strained the system is, providing services (such as health care and education) to people who are in this country illegally. California tried passing a law (proposition 187)in 1994 which specifically stopped illegal aliens (those who cannot establish their status as a U.S. citizen, a lawful permanent resident, or an alien lawfully admitted for a temporary period of time) from receiving medical or other public services and education. The law passed, but you should have seen the protests on it. Ultimately the law was "put on hold" by a federal court, but you can imagine the frustration the people from Califonia felt with the system (and lack of Federal controls) in order to pass it and Gov Davis killed it outright in 1999. (Note, I'm neither advocating nor opposing the Proposition, just reporting it). To me being against illegal immigration isn't a cultural bias it's the fact that illegal immigration eats up resources. There are reasons why there are limits on immigration worldwide. Its funny in a way, since Mexico has very strict immigration laws for residency in Mexico (http://www.usembassy-mexico.gov/eMexImmigRegs.html#Immigrant%20Status) yet they protested the hell out of Proposition 187. -----Original Message----- From: Jim Davis [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Wednesday, August 27, 2003 10:32 AM To: CF-Community Subject: RE: The Robin Williams' Plan > -----Original Message----- > From: Michael Dinowitz [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > Sent: Wednesday, August 27, 2003 12:48 AM > To: CF-Community > Subject: Re: The Robin Williams' Plan > > He probably wouldn't. I just forwarded it with the subject I got. Good to > know > people are paying attention and looking these things up. :) > I particularly like part of 6, 7 and especially 9 which is quite apparent > with > my stance on the UN. Some of it sounds "good" in a fantasy-land, fairy tale way (like "we should all have wings, then we'd be able to fly to work!"), but most of it just doesn't sit well with me. I don't know if it's coincidence or what but I've received about 20 various "stop immigration", "all those people are on welfare" and "if you live here learn the language" pieces in the past week or so. While I agree that immigration, especially illegal immigration, needs attention this attitude frustrates me. I ask people with this opinion where they're ancestors came from (never here) and the reasoning always is "well, my grandparents worked for what they got, not like these people today". The problem, of course, is that the SAME EXACT sentiments were leveled against pretty much every large wave of immigrants by the children/grandchildren of the PREVIOUS wave of immigrants. The Irish, the Italians, the Chinese, the Dutch and Germans, etc have all been victims and accusers. It's just really disheartening to know that my culture simply refuses to learn from its past. Jim Davis ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~| Archives: http://www.houseoffusion.com/lists.cfm?link=t:5 Subscription: http://www.houseoffusion.com/lists.cfm?link=s:5 Unsubscribe: http://www.houseoffusion.com/cf_lists/unsubscribe.cfm?user=89.70.5 This list and all House of Fusion resources hosted by CFHosting.com. The place for dependable ColdFusion Hosting. http://www.cfhosting.com
