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How has immigration affected your life?

July 26th, 2010
12:51 PM ET

As the U.S. state of Arizona prepares to enact a new law which will allow police officers to ask for proof of residency from anyone being investigated for a crime, the spotlight has shifted on the role immigration plays on developed countries around the world.

[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/07/26/immigration.art.gi.jpg
caption="Does immigration help or hinder?"]

Opponents of Arizona's SB 1070 say the measure is discriminatory and invites racial profiling, but supporters say it's necessary to curb the flood of illegal immigrants in the border state.

On July 21, ten nations joined Mexico's opposition and signed a declaration expressing their "strong condemnation and profound rejection of the law," according to Senate President Carlos Navarrete Ruiz.

As countries around the world voice their opinion on the Arizona law, the debate brings into question the role that immigration can play in a country and whether it either helps or hinders.

Countries like Canada have gained a strong reputation for embracing immigration from countries around the world and today, Canada is one of the most multicultural and diverse nations on earth.

Other countries like the United Kingdom and Australia have had more difficult paths to multiculturalism.

In Australia, Pauline Hanson's One Nation party won a handful of seats in the Queensland parliament on the back of an anti-immigration message.

In the United Kingdom, Nick Griffin's British National party also received a great deal of attention for their right-wing policies, but remains relatively ignored in mainstream politics.

We want to know what you think.

Are you an immigrant? How have you found your transition from one country to another? Do you think the majority of people are welcoming? Do you oppose immigration? Should there be tougher regulations in your country?

Please leave your comments below - we would also love to use your comments on air, so please let us know if you are interested in appearing on CNN's Connect the World. And don't forgot to let us know where you're writing from.

Filed under:  General
soundoff (146 Responses)
  1. JimS

    The premise of your statement fails to properly introduce the correct issue at hand. That of legal versus illegal immigration. Yes, Canada is one nation that embraces multiculturalism through immigration – but it is through LEGAL immigration. The totally ignored aspect of the brouhaha in Arizona is the fact that the new law is designed to enforce and counteract the insidious aspect of illegal immigration.

    CNN – if you are going to structure the question – at least put it in proper perspective. All true Americans are for legal immigration – those that don't are – lawbreakers – no more no less.

    July 26, 2010 at 1:34 pm | Reply
  2. Henry C Schinaman

    I do not like the way our government is addressing this issue and many others, primarily, the cost of our government.

    What ever happen to the "Civil Servant"?

    I now live in Europe.

    July 26, 2010 at 1:58 pm | Reply
  3. Amy O'Connor

    I am pleased this has been brought up! I am all for LEGAL immigration and I feel that people who are hiring illegal immigrants are the ones who should be punished. There are rules and a system that need to be followed to ensure everyone's best interest is at hand.

    And I can say this for the fact I am an American who only recently, last week, immigrated to England to live with my Irish Husband in London. We followed the immigration laws, the amount of work, money and stress got us here legally and has me in a place where I am actively seeking work.

    With all this said, neither of us have ever committed any crimes, have gone without paying taxes or lived off the state. At any time we can be checked on by immigration whether that be a telephone call, questionnaire through the mail or someone physically coming to our door. We have nothing to hide though, both with higher education degrees (i did my MA in London 3 years ago) and wiling to work in society and follow rules.

    July 26, 2010 at 2:03 pm | Reply
  4. MikeyMike

    99% of Americans are descended from immigrants. The question is legal vs illegal. It is ridiculous to think that lawbrekaers should be allowed to roam freely, use our social serices, and have babies so that the cannot be deported. I understand that there is a huge discreopancy of wealth between rural honduras and American cities, and it is difficult to keep people who are living in abject poverty from risking their lives for a better life here. But many of those countries have resources and wealth, but are jsut poorly managed (look at Nigeria for example). Like everything esle he messed up, George Bush let the number of illegals in the country rise from 1M to 11M under hi watch. Just another example of 'no one managing the store" and his complete incompetance as a manager of the country's interest.

    July 26, 2010 at 2:05 pm | Reply
  5. melody Evans

    I am a British citizen who lived 32 years in the United States. I did all of my schooling there married and divorced there twice and served in The United States Army. I left the US in 1999 to have a child in France. I was NEVER told that I had to return to the United States every year. Last year when I went to visit my mother and family I was pulled aside at the immigration/customs and had to wait with my 7year old American little girl for 45 mins. Then this 20 something customs officer told me that he could interagate me but because my daughter was with me they would let me go with a WARNING. I had to surrender my residence card. Its a bloody shame that I lived and would have died for that country and they treat you like s-. Its no wonder that you have people feeling like they do towards you.
    They will not even listen to you or try to help. Now I have my family there and my non-biological child will oneday want to live in the States and after everything I will not only lose my country but maybe my family and my daughter. I was told if I had 50,000 dollars I could move to the states with no problem. Its crazy. Maybe thats how bin laden got in.

    July 26, 2010 at 2:09 pm | Reply
  6. Daniel Roth

    I am a fifth generation American who is married to a wonderful Mongolian woman. I am visiting her country for the first time. I also am learning what it is like to be on the opposite side of the "coin". But for me the real issue is both legal vs illegal immigration–and the grief a legal immigrant has in obtaining a Green Card via marriage! My wife came here on a legal visitor's visa. I met her online,flew out to meet her ,while she visited her extended family. At 60 years old, I felt that I had the right to pick my own spouse without government interference. Boy, was I wrong! Our first generation Indian adjudicator did everything he could to squash her Green Card application. He tried to make demands that were impossible to meet. I finally won-after a year of effort- and $6,000 in expenses!! This is just wrong!!

    July 26, 2010 at 2:09 pm | Reply
  7. Mildred Antonelli

    One thing that bothers me about the anti-immigrant attitude is not recognizing that many immigrants who come today are here because of what we have done to their societies. They come here because their resources have been pillaged, their cultures destroyed, or at least damaged, and their economies made unviable; and in many cases their political lives co-opted. Interestingly too is that the most unwelcomed are those who have been the most victimized–the poor and inadequately educated. Another outstanding aspect of the anti-immigrant attitude is that they are seen as responsible for our problems, which they are not. On the contrary, they are victims of the same forces that are responsible for our problems.

    July 26, 2010 at 2:09 pm | Reply
  8. Keira

    I'll start by saying that SB 1070 stomps on my last Puerto Rican nerve. I find it discriminatory and insensitive. It's really easy to complain with a full belly, a roof over your head & knowing that you don't have any major hardships to worry about. These people have NOTHING but the clothes on their backs at times.

    It's clear the US needs immigration reform but why not grant amnesty to there people that are already here, contibuting to the economy and society in general? Why discriminate & paint a target on their backs? Why is it only Mexicans (or Hispanics) being targeted? Why categorize all Hispanics/Mexicans as freeloaders who abuse the system?? It's blatant fear & discrimination of those people that are 'different'. I vehemently "refudiate" the state of Arizona.


    July 26, 2010 at 2:15 pm | Reply
  9. Mike R

    I emmigrated from Canada to the US ten years ago with my young family and we eventualy became US citizens. I had the education and financial means to do things legally.

    I don't condone illegal immigration, but stop and think of how desperate these peoples lives must be for them to resort to illegally coming into the US across a desert, or in the back of a crowded truck. They risk their lives for the hope of a better tomorrow. Their plight is no different than our forefathers.

    A balance needs to be struck to keep the American dream alive.

    July 26, 2010 at 2:17 pm | Reply
  10. Just thinking

    If I think from economic perspective it's demand ans supply. There was a demand of inexpensice labor and there were very few people available and 'legal' immigrant rate and laws prevented this demand to be fulfilled naturally so people chose illegal ways. Now, this demand has lead to dependence and catch-22. If we ask them to leave we have to do our own work, if not they would end up doing 'our' job. People who are vouching for 'legal' ways should know it's very tough and long winding process to become legal immigrant.

    July 26, 2010 at 2:33 pm | Reply
  11. Stephen D

    I've been an immigrant 3 times in my life. My family brought me from England to Canada when I was a small child and I grew up in Canada and became a citizen. At the age of 33 I was offered a university job in the USA, so I emigrated there. I soon came to realize that the US immigration regulations, if you want to do it legally, are so full of confusion, Catch-22s, mindless paperwork, expense, delays and surly border agents, that I'd just about had enough. I then married a Canadian woman and the wait to get her in the US was 4 or 5 years, and during the wait she's not even allowed in the country for a visit. Needless to say we moved to Europe (not England), where we were welcomed with open arms and are far happier. In the EU, the non-EU spouse of an EU citizen is allowed in immediately (just turn up as long as your country doesn't need a visa) as long as the EU member is in employment or training.

    American may be the land of opportunity for some, but the ridiculous nature of the legal immigration process means that this highly educated native English speaker decided it wasn't worth the effort.

    July 26, 2010 at 2:35 pm | Reply
  12. Xiao Feng Qin

    I am a chinese and live in Germany for almost four years. There are some foreigners, who feel isolated in Germany. They cannot really integrate in this country. I think in current society the world should be aware that the limits between countries are not necessarily important . This is also a reason why we support globalization. Of course mass of immigrants can result a lot of problem,but I believe that many people has the potential competence which can be only stimulated by an opportunity . They need a chance to go away from their own country and find there way. The world need elites. Some of them haven't even got a chance, therefore I think such a country like USA should offer a more comfortable and easy way for the immigrants sothat many people can struggle for their goals. I am deeply convinced that those people can give something back which many countries need urgently.

    July 26, 2010 at 2:38 pm | Reply
  13. Margaret R

    I am Canadian – immigrated from Denmark in 1957 with my family. We had to speak English at the time and there was no help in Canada with ESL or any other assimilation – immigrants had to be independent and tough. Now we allow immigrants into Canada who cannot speak English and cannot be independent both physically and financially. Our health care, education and social services are over burdened at the detrement of all Canadians. We flood our cities with immigrants so that ghettos are created. I am in favor of managed immigration that ensures new immigrants can stand on their own feet (with some help) and assimilate into Canadian culture and are loyal to Canada and not to their "tribes and clans" back in their country of origin. Immigration can build a nation but it can also destroy a nation's way of life.

    July 26, 2010 at 2:43 pm | Reply
  14. salayem

    melody Evans
    It is a case like yours that makes any complicated immigration law look like child play. Why don't you stay foot and stop confusing all those countries.

    July 26, 2010 at 2:45 pm | Reply
  15. Alan

    I want immigration reform. As a U.S born citizen, I have had to move to Bogota Colombia. My wife was in the U.S legally, however due to some bad attorney counseling, she found out that she had overstayed by less than 1 year. Now she has a 10 year penalty. This has been very difficult because I do not have the same job opprotunities as I do in the U.S. I am struggling to find work, and the truth is my wife and I would be better off in the U.S. We are both educated, paid our taxes on time, and stayed out of trouble.
    Again I am an American Cititzen by Birth. We have gone through all the I.N.S paperwork and proceudres, however since their is so much confusion and buearcracy it seems that I'll have to sit and wait it out here. If anyone has any advice or can help us please reach out. I do believe there ought to be strict immigration laws, however I think that U.S born cititzens should have help in being able to stay in the U.S if they are married to a foreigner.

    July 26, 2010 at 2:47 pm | Reply
  16. Mary Beth Henson

    I'm an American living in France for the last 9 years, married to a French man and with 2 daughters that have dual nationality. I lived in California -a hotbed for immigration issues – for 10 years. I moved to France at the age of 34 for personal reasons and have gained resident status through many years of paperwork and waiting in long lines in the cold, rainy wet Parisian mornings (and afternoons). I know what it's like to be an immigrant. I also know that I have it a *lot* easier that most of the immigrants to France because I am white, educated and working. I know that France is not as easy for immigrants from former French colonies in Africa.

    While I do understand many of you who speak about making a difference between legal and illegal immigrants, I truly don't think that you realize just how hard it is to obtain legal immigrant status. And I also wonder.... how many of us legal American descendants of immigrants know whether or not we are legal American descendants of *illegal* immigrants? I think it's a sad blanket statement to assume that all or most immigrants are illegal. Many of those illegal immigrants are working to regularize their status in good faith. And many many more of those illegal immigrants are doing the menial jobs in American that allow the priviledged, educated legal Americans to uphold their lifestyle (I'mtalking about the price of food, which is based on low immigrant labor, the price of construction – *way* cheaper in the US than in Europe that is based on low immigrant labor.... the list goes on).

    So I just really think that this issue is complex and canot be resumed in 'throw out all of the illegals' rhetoric. Immigrants – legal *and* illegal – are what have made America great. And the American ability to absord, accept and assimilate the culture of our immigrants from the world over is what makes us great. I'd hate to see that change.

    July 26, 2010 at 2:47 pm | Reply
  17. hb

    Poiticize all you want, be ignorant all you want especially those that has never been outside of their states. There are 11 or so millions of illegals, wouldnt it make sense to adjust thier friggin status and begin a new enforcment policy from now on....this is all 16 century UK isht.

    July 26, 2010 at 2:53 pm | Reply
  18. Celia Dekker

    I am a South – African, living in Malaysia for the past 2 years, I am only 18 years old, and I wasn’t and still isn’t happy about immigrating! I may seem only like a child or a teenager, but I think everyone should stay in their own country and be proud of what their country can offer, either good or bad! And if it’s a bad situation, they should try and stand together and try to fix the problem! I may not know a lot, but I know that when people in a country are negative about their own government and country, there is no hope, that’s how most South-Africans are, so they immigrate and so no good can come from South-Africa, which makes other South-Africans more negative! This counts for any other country.

    July 26, 2010 at 2:54 pm | Reply
  19. steev

    The stress that conservatives place on the illegal vs. legal immigration concern is disingenuous. If they cared that much about the law, they would be up in arms in equal numbers about drivers who speed, for example – in the federal legal code, undocumented presence in the country is of the same severity as various other minor civil offenses, like breaking the speed limit in your car.. So, why are right-wing folks all upset about one law but not the other?

    It's because they're just using "illegal" as a smokescreen to hide the fact that what they're really upset about is all the brown people in their town/state/country. upset and afraid about the Other, about people not like them.

    July 26, 2010 at 2:58 pm | Reply
  20. johuru

    "Illegal aliens have always been a problem in the United States. Ask any Indian" -Robert Orben

    July 26, 2010 at 2:58 pm | Reply
  21. Luc Whaley

    Along with many of you I believe that the question is also legal vs. illegal, but you are not considering the circumstances if that is how you narrow your view. Our farming industry, any part of it that is labor intensive would not survive a purge of illegal immeigrants, in part because they are the only people that are willing to take those jobs. Having grown up on a farm, hiring these migrants was not a matter of where they came from but of whether you would have enough workers to get the work done. Many people are not willing to go out and do these jobs, but they are essential to our way of life. There would not be illegal immigrants if they were not needed, because our legal immigration system has failed to work as needed. Also, fining the businesses does not adress the issue, it would simply put them out of business because you would leave them with the choice of hiring workers, or not being able to get the work done.

    July 26, 2010 at 3:00 pm | Reply
  22. Petar Zivanovic

    I think its rediculous! I am a former Illegal immigrant technically considered by the United States. I came to the USA when I was 5 years old to avoid all the balkan wars. I was ordered deported at the age of 11. Now any normal country in the world can tell you thats against rights and I dont have 18 yrs old for someone to judge me as a child. 12 years later they said I dont have a right to be in the UNITED STATES so i got arrested and put in JAIL for 6 months. (IMMIGRATION JAIL) However from the outcome of that my wife is suffering and my child which are in a financial depression. Both are born American Citizens and I am in extreme poverty in a 3rd world country speaking only English and not knowing anything. Why doesn't the USA now pay my wifes bills, instead of giving others unemployement and welfare? SHE WAS DENIED because shes married. Only problem is her husband was deported by an order of deportation he got when he was a child and didn't even know. Turning 21 I was arrested GOD BLESS FREEDOMS of AMERICA

    July 26, 2010 at 3:03 pm | Reply
  23. Carlos D

    I am sympathetic towards those who seek a better life, but not at the expense of breaking laws to do so. As an american citizen living in a third world country, I have noticed that people are mostly interested is in making money, not immigrating altogether. Ironically, anyone trying to "migrate" to a third world country have to obey the laws of that country. Third world contries also deport illegal, undocumented people all the time. So as I see it, Arizona is right. May all undocumented folk respect the laws of the State of Arizona; only then will they gain the respect of the American people.

    July 26, 2010 at 3:05 pm | Reply
  24. Erik Kengaard

    Mildred observes that many aliens (authorized and unauthorized) who come today are here because of what we have done to their societies; they come here because their resources have been pillaged, their cultures destroyed, or at least damaged, and their economies made unviable; and in many cases their political lives co-opted. She is correct. But the answer is not to open the doors to the poor and uneducated. The answer is to elect people to office who will help build up other peoples rather than destroying them. Think United Fruit, NAFTA, IMF, "free trade."

    July 26, 2010 at 3:06 pm | Reply
  25. Erik Kengaard

    The elites that own congress and run this country have created havoc in countries south of the border for their own selfish interests, and the people of those countries, and the people of this country, are paying the price.
    For an understanding of how our world (USA) works, read "America's 60 Families" by Ferdinand Lundberg. It was written a long time ago, but the message is still relevant (even if a bit biased). You can go to Google Books to get an idea of Lundberg's approach.
    The elites gain the benefits of immigration, legal and illegal, the taxpayers bear the financial costs, and the public bears the social costs of crime, dysfunctional schools, crowded emergency rooms and more.
    We have only ourselves to blame for putting bad people in office. Vote them out.

    July 26, 2010 at 3:07 pm | Reply
  26. Kris G

    I lived in another country for 6 years. During that time not only did I renew my status every 2 years, but I also carried around the paperwork I was asked to every day. Yes, I was stopped at times for other situations (random police drunk driving check stations, help at the local civil offices, etc) and each time the authorities asked for my paperwork, which I provided. I never had a problem as long as I carried my paperwork with me. To top it all off, before I lived there I made sure to study the language. I could not, and still cannot, speak perfectly, but I did my best to be able to live in their country without hindering their way of life.

    I have no respect for what is happening to illegal immigrants. I know it's heartless, but I do not care what happens to them because they are breaking a law. Yes, I realize the immigration process is difficult (my wife is a green-card-carrying resident) but it is that difficult for a reason: our country is overflowing with people who are causing us harm. Not illegals, but others who come into the US for the purpose of terrorism, weapons dealings, drugs, etc. Our laws, as a country, are not as strict as most other countries around the world, and just about everyone knows that even the laws which are enforced can be circumnavigated.

    If you didn't have the respect for my country to come here, walk up to the immigration office, fill out the paperwork and say "I want to live in the greatest country in the world," then you have no business being here. For those who believe our laws unjust, or those who enforce the laws, heartless, I say you don't belong here: You should have kept that in mind before you broke the law. I realize your families might be in trouble, and you might get separated from your loved ones, but you knew that was a risk you were willing to take. You have been caught: accept the consequences. I cheer for Arizona and the new laws in place: if the federal government cannot enforce their own laws it is up to the States to do so.

    July 26, 2010 at 3:07 pm | Reply
  27. Vickie

    I work in a public health facility and have first hand knowledge of the burden placed on public resources by the pregnant Hispanics. They get pregnant as soon as they cross the border and the financial burden becomes the American taxpayers' burden. It is common to see a young Mexican or other Hispanic with four to five stair-step children and pregnant with another. WIC resources are spent on sustaining this illegal population explosion.

    July 26, 2010 at 3:11 pm | Reply
  28. Won

    "Amy O'Connor",

    Were you not a blue-blooded dude, you would see the world differenttly for sure.

    July 26, 2010 at 3:12 pm | Reply
  29. Turbin Hebo

    I find it laughable that Mexico finds the Arizona law to be so terrible. Why doesn't the media report the laws governing illegal immigration into Mexico, or report more on the number of illegals entering Mexico on their southern border, especially those that are murdered, raped, beaten or jailed for up to 10 years. How can Calderon make these statements without smiling? Mexico is playing us for fools and our federal government is falling for it hook, line and sinker. Arizona is nearly the only state with the balls to try and make their citizens safer. Shame on Mexico, shame on our federal leaders, shame on obama for leading us into this mess, deeper and deeper into chaos.

    July 26, 2010 at 3:17 pm | Reply
  30. troubled

    I spent 9 years of my prime life as a legal immigrant in the united states. Went to school paid my taxes and always followed the regulation. English was the only language I perfected. However, staying on the right path has led me to get back to where I came from. I wanted to be a resident of the united states but the path to becoming one in the right fashion is close to impossible. There are false ways to do it but I chose not to follow those ways.

    It hurts to see that people that follow rules and stay legal have a tough time with all the restrictions whereas illegals are given more attention and get away with a lot of things.

    July 26, 2010 at 3:18 pm | Reply
  31. Martin C

    I moved here legally from England about 20 years ago, of course i jumped thru all the hoops, back then i thought it was worth it, however moving forward 20 years, it's apparently not worth it, now don't get me wrong, America is a beautiful country, but certain things are systematically destroying this great nation, for starters we have, and had incopetant Goverments for years now, and to top it all off the amount of hate that has transpired in this country is at near fatal levels, currently i'm in the process of applying to immigrate to Canada, at least they have a more stable Govt' and by all accord NICE PEOPLE, and finally a note to all politicians : You are more intrested in doing what is right for yourselves instead for the people, your shameful behaviour will eventually bring this fine land to it's knees, i don't know how you live with yourselves.

    July 26, 2010 at 3:18 pm | Reply
  32. nj



    July 26, 2010 at 3:19 pm | Reply
  33. Dave

    My mom immigrated to the US from Poland in the 1970's as a 25 year old nurse. Because she didn't speak the language, this highly trained/educated woman could not get the same job she held in Poland for five years – she worked in various factories, often two 8 hour jobs daily, to make ends meet and to get herself settled. Along the way, she taught herself English, found better and better jobs, and finally... to top all that, married my father a Polish/American and I was born. Before she met him, she struggled for years just to survive – doing legal, mindless jobs that her employers told her no 'American' wanted to do. Putting frames on cheap paintings bound for JC Penny and Sears, Cleaning the Sears Tower in the wee hours, bussing tables at various restaurants, and finally getting the only job she loved: working at Ocean Spray. Over the next several decades she saved money – got remarried to a wonderful man (who I now consider my real father), they were able to buy a house, newer cars, and finally retire in true middle class comfort. To me, this woman is a hero, someone who survived the odds – discrimination she faced while looking for work (being called a Polak, thrown out of many jobs and not paid, told: go back home 'you Commie' by more people than she cared to mention), divorce (where a crooked lawyer helped my biological father get everything except me), and many other obstacles – she worked hard to achieve the real American dream: Happiness, a great married life, home ownership and the stability that many crave. And she even put me through college – not asking for anything but for me to be happy and content with what this great country has to offer.

    July 26, 2010 at 3:23 pm | Reply
  34. Bhaskar

    Everyone knows the US immigration system is broken. In my opinion the govt. needs to address the legal immigrants first who are waiting in line for ages. This would motivate the rest the follow the law as they'd clearly see the end of the tunnel. Whenever an immigration topic picks up the heat it often gets derailed with illegals without a mention about legals who are playing by the books and have been waiting forever..

    Reward the one who are following the law first..

    July 26, 2010 at 3:25 pm | Reply
  35. truck_bomb

    Many people look at immigration only from there narrow point of view. There are many views to immigration but mostly the only view that counts is the government's position or who is in power at the time.

    There are many reasons legal immigration is tough. One is the government and the U.S tax payers do not want the responsibility of paying for the uneducated, the poor and anyone else from another country who does not meaningful contribute to the society. It is not the responsibility of the U.S goverment to ask its citizens to support someone who lives in the U.S illegally. This is the reason when someone file documents for legal immigration the U.S government forces said parties to sign documents concering support. The another reason it is tough to migrate to the U.S legally is that the U.S government does not seem to want anyone. The U.S prefers people who can overcome obstacles, and have the resolve to get through difficult situations. If it was easy, the country of the U.S. would be overruned. Migrating to any country is a privilage not a right and the government of the U.S in recent history has not and does not force anyone to migrate to the U.S..

    I agree someone with other writers in questioning the policies of foreign countries. The countries hou citizens migrate in mass should be held accountable. What I see with Mexico is a slowly envolving refugee crisis. It is a crisis that happening in years rather than in days or weeks. The Mexican government should be held responsibility for its own citizens instead of doing nothing for its people.

    I believe instead of trying to stop illegal immigration which is some respect may be difficult, the U.S. government should make it extremely dificult for someone who is illegal to live in the U.S. Possibly making it difficult to obtain work or starting a business if your are illegal whereas someone who has arrive in the U.S legally the process of working and living should be easy.

    July 26, 2010 at 3:26 pm | Reply
  36. Enough

    Illegal immigrants break the law, like people who go through a red light. They are fundamentally dishonest. Being "desperate" is not a license to break the law. The US and Canada must encourage good immigration from people who will share the values of the country fully both in terms of their morales and hard work. There should be no open door for ungrateful migrants who spit in the hand of their host and become parasites of society or for those who enter through the back door. Enough with the silly humanitarian crap.

    July 26, 2010 at 3:30 pm | Reply
  37. nobody angry guy

    this isn't about immigration. the us takes in more legal immigrants than anyone. this is about an invasion by millions of poor uneducated people who the us can't possibly afford to absorb. it costs california alone $14 billion a year in social services to take care of these poor mexicans. why doesn't the news media report this? $14 billion – and people wonder why california is forced to borrow money from the feds? And this number doesn't even consider how many mexicans are working in california with forged papers. Sanctuary cities? Really? What kind of retarded logic formed this sorry excuse for a law? People who are here illegally SHOULD fear the people who are paid to enforce US law! It is also unbelievable that it is "controversial" to ask someone to prove their immigration status. Racism? From watching the news – you would believe that most americans don't want the government to enforce its immigration laws because the laws are racist. Race has NOTHING to do with anything! Are you news makers 4 years old? This is about the rule of law and billions of my taxpayer money going to MEXICO. Period. The lax US federal government let this screwed up mess happen – they HAVE to fix it now and they need all of the help that they can get. The idea that the feds are suing az for enforcing a law the feds won't is the most absurd case of cognitive dissonance I have ever seen. The people running this country are certifiable. And the idea of mexico's president scolding us for enforcing our law is laughable. You people in the media really have to ask him about his own countries immigration policies and draconian laws. Just what is going on here? Haven't you people ever been to LA or phoenix for yourself? It is like visiting mexico city. This is not a complexed issue. It is as cut and dry. We have a problem that has to be fixed.

    July 26, 2010 at 3:32 pm | Reply
  38. thomas

    I'm an American 1st and foremost, however I've lived and worked legally in Italy for 15+ continuous years.I am considered a foreigner/immigrant here. I'm appalled to read "ten nations joined Mexico's opposition and signed a declaration expressing their "strong condemnation and profound rejection of the law"! Ridiculous! In Italy, resident immigrants are required by law to carry their papers showing they are legal residents; so I see nothing wrong with the AZ law... if anything it doesn't go far enough. My grandparents were immigrants to the USA in the early 1900's;none spoke English when they arrived, all strove to learn English and integrate and become part of American society, yet never forgot their native tongues/culture and why should they?! They also all arrived LEGALLY and applied for legal status according to the law. The AZ law addresses illegal immigrants and they and legal immigrants are trying to make a rights issue out of nothing. The illegals have broken the law, (I don't care what the reason was) and now they have the gall to demand amnesty and rights. This is our Federal govs fault for not enforcing our current laws. They alone are the only ones who can deport but when AZ turns over illegals to them, they will be held accountable. Congress cringes at that, those that do should be voted out next election.

    July 26, 2010 at 3:35 pm | Reply
  39. Gonzalo

    Only issue seems to me that this "illegal" (I prefer non-documented) immigrants use a number of public services for which they didn't pay. The solution should be in the lines of adding an "entry fee" and/or higher taxes to newcomers who don't fit in the current(highly educated, employed, etc) immigrant schemes. After all, many immigrants pay thousand of dollars (their life savings, many times, plus debt) in order to come to the US. Instead of giving that money to the immigration mafias, it should be used to improve public services where the immigrants are likely to live.

    Besides that, it seems to me immoral not to allow human beings move freely and look after their (and their families) well-being freely in the planet. That should be a human right.

    July 26, 2010 at 3:37 pm | Reply
  40. mbahde

    It is not targeting Mexicans/Hispanics like Keira says...it targets ILLEGAL immigrants...people that are for it are NOT against immigration...they come over properly, get a green card, 3 years gain citizenship, pay taxes, are accountable for services used...I knew several illegals...some were from Mexico, some were from Russia...and I know they continued to break more laws than just crossing the border...some of the women or families broke tax laws as well. They got jobs using false SSN at normal places...not just cheap cash paying no american wants jobs...as an example: one of them was a 24 year old female...she wasn't married. had no kids, but claimed she had 6 kids on her tax forms to get as much money as she could from her checks not being withheld. And since it was a false SSN, the government wouldn't be able to track her to audit.
    And here's another note: If you are in an impoverished nation and have trouble getting jobs or health care. Don't give us whining and crying sob stories on all the mouths you have to feed. Here's an idea...keep your legs closed or keep it in your pants. STOP HAVING 5-10 KIDS!!! I have one, and it was determined whether we could afford the 1 before we did...when we look if we can afford another, the answer is no, so we don't. Popping out a ton of kids when we are having trouble now is just plain stupid. The world is over-populated as it is and people like octomom and kate plus 8 make me want to puke. It just encourages welfare people to pop out as many as possible to get a TV show. These people need to be forcibly fixed or shot. Same goes for illegals...don't put yourself into a situation that makes it your only choice is to sneak into another country to birth these kids so you don't have a bill or need to sneak in to find work to send money back across the border to support them or bring them all over expecting US taxpayers to flip your child care bills.
    Is it tough to legally come to the US now? Yes. It is supposed to be. The amount of people they claim have fled AZ of just over 100,000 people out of the 450,000 how Phoenix is becoming a ghost town? Whoopie! Here in San Antonio, we have 350,000 homeless people on the streets...most of them legal US citizens. We could repopulate AZ from 1 major city's homeless to fill up those vacant homes and jobs in less than a week.

    July 26, 2010 at 3:37 pm | Reply
  41. Vik

    To all those advocating legal immigration, here goes. I came to this country as a legal immigrant in 2001 for my Masters in Computer Science. I was given a 90% scholarship. (Funded albeit by US taxpayers). I have been working LEGALLY ever since 2003, after my graduation. I have been in the "Queue" to obtain my legal residency for quite some time. I do not foresee getting the card for a very long time into future. Some estimate it to be 35 years of wait time. You know what that means, right?

    July 26, 2010 at 3:41 pm | Reply
  42. thomas

    Oh, and the 1st thing the US Congress should do is eliminate the antiquated (no 1st or 2nd world nations offer it) law whereby anyone born on US soil is automatically an American; schooling in their native languages as English should be named the Official language of the USA! It's way past time to eliminate these 'rights', instead of debating how many more they are demanding!

    July 26, 2010 at 3:41 pm | Reply
  43. José Bonilla

    A couple of years ago I started looking into the possibility to emigrate to the U.S. but I found it to be a very extensive, costly and painful path, to apply for a work visa you have to put down an amount of money that if you have it you are probably living a better life where you are, in my case I wanted to give better opportunities to my daughter now 7 that she says she want's to build robots and do all sorts of other things when she grows up but living here that is only another dream unfulfilled.

    July 26, 2010 at 3:43 pm | Reply
  44. Martin C

    A note to CNN just wondering how many of these responses will be forwarded to the White House, maybe it may give them a clue....

    July 26, 2010 at 3:45 pm | Reply
  45. jackie ruth

    Being from the US and a 10th or 11th generation American, I never thought that immigration would touch my life in the way that it has.

    But, a couple of years ago, I had a chance to come to Italy and take a job as a marketing writer. Having grown up on "Under the Tuscan Sun" and "A Year in Provence", of course I jumped at it! So here I am, an immigrant myself!

    It's now been almost three years and it's been tough. There've been days that I wanted to pack my bags and come home and days that I felt a happiness with my new life that I never dreamed. I do have to say, however, that I also never dreamed I'd know what it was like to be discriminated against for my nationality.....that happens here, a lot. or rather, I'm discriminated against for what nationality I'm not.

    my new mother in law denies that Italians treat people differently who aren't Italian but I can tell you first hand, I've been hung up on, denied apartments and even laughed at openly.....all because I'm not a native Italian.

    This all leads me to think that, if I experience this, as someone from a "wealthy country", what must people from the third world experience when trying to make a new life in Italy....or the States for that matter.

    I do know one thing. When and if I get back to the US, I will certainly be more tolerant of someone trying to speaking my language, when the opportunity arises. It's not easy, being the "new kid on the block".

    July 26, 2010 at 3:51 pm | Reply
  46. Pauline Mattei

    I immigrated in Switzerland 40 years ago, believing to find peace and understanding there...Illusions!!... The Swiss are VERY xenophobe and can be ferocious when they want you out (it means when they must pay you a retirement pension quite legally,,,).
    I have been harassed for 15 years now (especially at night: they prevent you from sleeping with everything they can (electromagnetic rays), and the police are rotten...). I am a 77-year-old lady and I have never harmed anybody in my life; I would like to leave but at my age it is very difficult when you are single and you have no help from anybody. An advice: DON'T come to Switzerland!!!...Unless you are rich!!!!

    July 26, 2010 at 4:08 pm | Reply
  47. Patricia Hastings

    I came to Canada from England 36 years ago. This is not totally relevant to the question, however, if I were to do it all over again, I would probably not. I have Canadian children, love Canada, it is beautiful, the people are kind and decent, but the cost emotionally of lost connections, relatives, your roots ... all take a toll. It is the next generation who benefits from the choices that you make, but they have to start from scratch building up family lines that they have never had due to being born a first generation Canadian. I believe it is a subject which is little discussed, but those who are considering immigration should not take the decision lightly.

    July 26, 2010 at 4:13 pm | Reply
  48. sri

    This is my 10th year as a legal immigrant in the United States and it is still a long way to go before I can get a Green Card. Did Masters in good US University, have been paying taxes with no hope of getting social security benefits, applied and re-applied many forms, informed US agencies whenever I change my apartment as is required of all legal immigrants etc. But I love the country and what it offers, so I am willing to go through all the hassle to stay legal.

    But, legal immigrants do not have the numbers (and so no political appetite) nor the political capital like the illegal immigrants who can easily manoeuvre the laws to their benefit. I hope employment based legal immigration gets some reprieve during this administration.

    July 26, 2010 at 4:14 pm | Reply
  49. Scott van Slyck

    I am a Canadian who has been living in the UK for the past decade.

    I have also the opportunity to live and work in 4 other countries in the EU, and Thailand and I have to say that I have not encountered a more immigrant unfriendly place than the UK.

    People here are genuinely xenophobic, and often speak openly and disparagingly about immigrants, whether they be legal ones from other EU nations, or illegal.

    The UK is a country which, in my opinion, has no concept of how to be multicultural, and as a result is deeply polarised and immigrant and ethnic communities are becoming more and more insular and isolated.

    This only leads to tensions and anger all around often resulting in violence or protest.

    I have also found that English (that is to say people who feel they are properly English, i.e. White Christians) are generally a very angry and seemingly frustrated people.

    They seem to suffer, from what I have coined, Empire Denouement Angst. Once the most powerful nation on the planet, they increasingly find themselves marginalised and see their former colonies moving ahead of them economically and socially.

    There are a little like the boy who grew quicker than everyone else and so commanded all the respect in primary school, perhaps even resorting to bullying because he could, suddenly being caught up and overtaken by his peers in secondary school and, finding this situation frustrating and intolerable, lashes out wherever and whenever he can.

    Consequently,there is a culture of heavy drinking, violence, anger and intolerance, which, sadly, I think is only going to get worst before it gets better.

    My wife and I have every intention to move back to Canada before my daughter, who is now 21 months, gets too much older, as we both feel she faces a desperate and uncertain future here and I want to ensure she is brought somewhere which embraces diversity and generally has a level or respect for fellow citizens.

    July 26, 2010 at 4:16 pm | Reply
  50. a jew... and Israeli

    immigration is what saved my family's life. my family immigrated in the 1930's to Israel which was still under British mandate from poland. Most of my family that didn't come here died in the Holocaust with only a few survivors . so for my family immigration saved our lives

    July 26, 2010 at 4:18 pm | Reply
  51. treborselpats

    The world runs on supply and demand labor.....plain and simple. Every country has its' immigration LAWS. What part of this discussion is not easy to understand. The problem is immigration law enforcement and its' flux to meet demand labor in any country.

    Illegal immigration is just that...illegal. Whether you overstay your VISA or do not meet the immigration requirements of that particular country. Want to meet the legal demands of a country to immigrate? Then you get to stay....plain and simple. Everything else is just irrelevant.

    July 26, 2010 at 4:18 pm | Reply
  52. Quinton Butterfield

    I am an immigrant living in Atlanta, GA. I have been in the US for 9 years if you count from when I started college, or 15 years if you count from when I got a SSN (off and on). I have decided that I would like to make the US my home. I am currently on an H1-B visa. I have found the immigration process to be extremely discriminatory and difficult to navigate. My life in the US is very difficult at times. I do not understand, if I am someone that contributes to this country, has gained and education here and employment, why is it so difficult for me to become a citizen. My job is holding me captive, and no one else will hire me because of my immigration status. There is basically no way for me to get on the path to citizenship unless I get married, and this is not in my plans for the future at this moment. I have so many limits placed upon me, and there is no good reason for them, in my opinion. For example, I have lived in Atlanta for five years, pay state taxes, property taxes (as I own a home) and I am still required to pay out-of-state tuition, a difference of over $50,000 over the life of the program.

    Now there is talk about immigration reform, but it is to help illegal immigrants. What about the millions of people that contribute to the economy have followed all the rules and are upstanding potential citizens. Why is it so hard for us to become citizens? Have we not proven ourselves? Should I become an illegal immigrant so that I can become a citizen if the immigration bill passes?

    The system does need an overhaul. I am also all for helping illegal immigrants stay with their families and for whatever other reasons. But I think that the LEGAL IMMIGRANTS need to be taken into account as well.

    Most US citizens do not understand this process and there is so much ignorance about immigration. One friend asked me, why don't you just take the citizenship test. Someone else said that immigrants scare them (and I am sure they were talking about Mexicans). Something needs to be done and done quickly, or else the new and upcoming countries (India, China, et al) will take all the innovators of the future, because the US makes is darn near impossible to immigrate here.

    O and by the way, if you are a millionaire, you can basically buy citizenship, wtf???

    You can use my comment on the air if you please.

    July 26, 2010 at 4:21 pm | Reply
  53. DD

    I am an immigrant from Eastern Europe and I have lived in this country for 26 years. I came , at 42, as a political refugee and had no problem, I repeat, no problem in getting a green card after one year and being naturalized five years later. I have never received public assistance (except 250 $ when I arrived), to get me started), I paid back the airplane ticket that was given to me in order to get to the US, and I never broke the law in this country. I earned a doctorate and I am am today a successful college professor with many international recognitions.I am grateful to this country for all it has given me and I am distressed to see how many Americans do not realize how fortunate they are just to live here. Of course, not everything is perfect, but compared to other parts of the world, this is heaven! So, of course I cannot be against immigration, but I entirely agree with what Jim S has said, and I think that illegal immigration should be stopped, and the borders should be more secure. I understand the complexity of the current situation, but I do not condemn the state of Arizona for trying to do something for its citizens. I always carry an ID with me and I am in no way bothered if I am asked to show it to authorities. What"s the big fuss about it? My self-esteem is in no way diminished by having to show some identity papers that acknowledge that I legally belong into the country I freely chose to live in and whose rules and regulations I freely chose to obey. And , Turbin, please leave Obama out if this!

    July 26, 2010 at 4:22 pm | Reply
  54. Scott

    I'm a US citizen living in Mexico and have a different perspective on the whole thing. Those Mexicans that could legally immigrate to the US by and large will not do so. Because to legally immigrate, you generally need to be highly skilled, have a college degree and so on. There are a lot of very well-educated Mexicans and they stay here because there are opportunities here for them. Good paying jobs and a cost of living much lower than the US. Mexico City is a paradise for the middle and upper classes, where the average income is 420k pesos per year (about $35k) and a nice apt in a fashionable district can cost less than $100k, dinner at a great restaurant is about 20 bucks, the maid that cleans your apt charges you $15, etc.

    The ones that move to the US are poor, uneducated and unskilled. They have no opportunities in Mexico. They cannot get a visa and will end up providing the much-needed unskilled labor that our economy depends on. If we really want to fix the problem, we need to start offering these people visas and actually try to regulate the flow of immigration. Because it will not stop, no matter how many laws we pass or how high we build the walls. It's a basic principle of international economics: they will continue to come until there is no longer an incentive to do so. And believe me, Mexico is not going to fix it's poverty problem any time soon.

    July 26, 2010 at 4:30 pm | Reply
  55. Weebie

    Of course Canada has little problems with immigration. It's a cultureless wasteland with no identity with its people. Britain and Australian people have identities and thus immigrants have further problems integrating if they don't integrate at all. Australia does it the best though instead of being a burden on the economy Australia makes billions through immigration. Australia though unlike other countries is run like a business and has successfully navigated its way out of the global economic crisis.

    July 26, 2010 at 4:31 pm | Reply
  56. Tracy Hester

    Immigration has changed my life because my adopted daughters were brought to Texas by their parents, who were illegal immigrants, when they were very young children. Their mother died and their father lost custody which led them to me at the ages of 11 and 14. They are now American citizens. People immigrate to America despite great hardship because they want a better life for themselves and their children. America is a land of immigrants. When did we decide to shut the door on immigration? It's what makes our country great!

    You are more than welcome to share my comments.

    July 26, 2010 at 4:34 pm | Reply
  57. Francisco

    I was born in Venezuela. When I was 7 years old, my parents bought a restaurant in Florida with the intention of giving my brother and I a shot at a better education and more opportunities. My father, like most other Venezuelans, foresaw a change in Venezuelan politics and wanted to escape it.
    We moved there with an E Visa (Business) because of the restaurant.
    I attended elementary, middle, high school, and college there. I was a high-scoring student. Never had any problem with the law, aside from one speeding ticket.

    For those of you who talk about integration. I was speaking English and making friends only a few months after arriving thanks to a great ESL program and supportive teachers. I think early 90s was also a time when children were taught multicultural studies and the typical image of peace on earth was people of every color holding hands.
    Things have changed.

    Unfortunately, some of us fall between the cracks. No matter how long you are in the US legally with the E visa, once your business fails or you turn 21 and are out of your parents' visa (E-1 for parents, E-2 for children under 21), you are basically sent home.
    Home for me was the United States since in the 16 years living in the US, I had only gone back to visit Venezuela once for 10 days when I was already 22.
    Now when I visit the US, I am a tourist.
    My parents' restaurant closed down due to cancer which claimed my mother's life.
    The last time they renewed my visa was when I was 21 and it expired at 23. So I left.

    I ended up moving to Spain where I can't say I am sad about the route life has taken me. In some ways, seeing the United States from a distance has made me a better citizen of the world.

    My parents and I did everything legally... and still, we slipped through the cracks. The only chance we ever had was a random green card lottery.
    Random? Is that what all this american dream talk is all about?

    July 26, 2010 at 4:34 pm | Reply
  58. Mark Depew

    Today I celebrate my twenty-fourth anniversary as an immigrant. I’m a US citizen who has lived in England for twenty-one years, India for one year and Germany for the last two years.
    In April 1990 Norman Tebbit introduced the ‘Cricket Test’ as a means of questioning the loyalty of British residents with Indian, Pakistani and West Indian migration background. The test essentially asked which team these British residents would support when the English national team played against teams from their native country.
    In 1990 I had been in the UK for four years with a gap year in India. ( I stayed in England another eighteen years before immigrating to Germany. Lord Tebbit never asked me who I supported when the USA competed against England in sport. (probably a good thing because I always support the USA!) Nevertheless I contributed not only economically, (taxes etc…) but socially to my adopted land. As did the majority of my neighbours from around the world even those who where in lower paid sectors of the economy or unemployed.
    The duration of my time in England was spent living in ethnically diverse communities with close to fifty percent of the local population coming from the Indian Sub Continent, plus Asylum Seekers and refugees from war zones across the globe. These communities were rich from many perspectives; culture, history, language and religion. Many of my neighbours came to live originally in their new community as a result of government housing policy. The region had suffered serious economic decline since the mid 1970´s and were to a large extent revived , or saved by the economic investment and commitment to local community development that the ‘immigrant communities’ offered. I was privileged to work with a wide range of different communities which for the purpose of this article I will refer to as people with migration backgrounds in local economic development and community programmes, this also included several interfaith programmes which became especially important after 9/11/2001. In my view, Managed immigration makes society and the economy better off.
    During my first eight months in Germany I was required to take a 600 hour German Integration Course consisting of language training, and an introduction to German politics, history, culture and society. I made this course with seventeen other students the majority of which came originally from the Middle East and Turkey. Our reasons for coming to Germany were as different as each of us but we shared the common goal of wanting to improve our ability to effectively integrate into our new chosen home.
    Integration politics in Germany are not so well advanced as in the UK or the USA. Society in general and politicians in particular speak regularly of ‘people with migration background’ or as Auslanders. The word Auslander in Germany is a double edged sword. I look forward to the day when in Germany people can speak proudly of and celebrate their heritage as well as their newly found German status. Part of my pride in being American is the ability to say that I am an Irish-
    French/Canadian American.
    Let’s hope that the come migration background that most Americans share is not lost in this current debacle.

    July 26, 2010 at 4:35 pm | Reply
  59. cuauhtemoc xicotencatl

    Yes, as a native American I must say that immigration has not only affected my life, but the life and lifestyle of countless of other native americans now and in the past.

    July 26, 2010 at 4:36 pm | Reply
  60. Rohit M

    Recently I moved back from the United States back to my home country -India as I wasn't able to secure the coveted US work permit for High Skilled foreign workers also called H1B.I did complete my Graduate school-Masters degree in the US.During my tenure as a student, I did pay taxes applicable for 20/hr week work,obeyed US laws,integrated with American culture totally.But as someone here said, US legal immigration thing is very complicated and cumbersome that even if anyone finds work,it is a frustrating process unlike Australia/Canada etc.

    AS FAR AS ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION is concerned, I fully support AZ law.Today America is great as it encouraged LEGAL immigration.No way should US entertain such immigrant influx as it is fully unfair for LEGALS who spend lot of their efforts, time, money for coming to US.
    I feel Mexico and other nations have no right or business to interfere in AZ law(s) or Federal laws as they are different countries even with close proximity to US.I don't understand why US Federal government as don't ask them to just SHUT UP!


    July 26, 2010 at 4:41 pm | Reply
  61. Jan D

    I say we should treat people the very same way that Mexico does. How Mexico treats illegal aliens Because they can't have it both ways. In Mexico, being asked for papers is a regular occurrence. People found to be there without proper residency are jailed! No trial, no discussion of why or how. They are jailed.

    By the same president who then turns around cries and scolds the USA for putting in to place laws that are weaker than the ones he enforces.

    I live in Boston Ma, my home town, I think it' s wrong that people can jump the line on legal immigrants, who wait years for the chance to become citizens. It's wrong to move to a place where you don't speak the language and expect the residents of that area to learn you language instead. If you truly want to make the USA your home, GO home and do it the right way.

    July 26, 2010 at 4:41 pm | Reply
  62. sammieb51

    I wouldn't be living in the US - I would probably living in Germany, if I were even alive since my folks met in the US Midwest and national origins are not the same. But then too maybe my Dad would have been killed in WWII fighting for the Nazis.

    July 26, 2010 at 4:42 pm | Reply
  63. Amy

    The countries mentioned: Canada, United States, United Kingdom, Australia. Populations almost all predominantly caucasian. Why aren't people stumbling over themselves to emigrate to the middle east, Mexico, Africa, etc? Why is this article trying to portray some political parties as "evil" for wanting to "limit the unlimited" and endless stream of immigrants who cannot fix their own countries???

    July 26, 2010 at 4:47 pm | Reply
  64. Carlos

    Australian immigration although it has turned this country from being poor into superich I think people are now against the skilled migration policy within our country now. The whole Australian way of life which includes owning your own cheap house on a big block of land has been replaced by the worlds most expensive housing market and the first generation Australians who are now raising families in 1 bedroom apartments as there is no room now in the 4 major centres (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth)

    I'm also heartbroken by some of the stories in this response. I'm Australian through and through sound Australian, act Australian and work Australian but through my parents I hold US Citizenship and I'm waiting for the economy to improve before I look for work. When someone here served in the military and loses his right to live in America well then that shows that the system is broke.

    July 26, 2010 at 4:48 pm | Reply
  65. Hong Konger

    hmmm... I don't see how this new law in Arizona is racist. It doesn't state that the police can ONLY check non-White people. In fact, I'm surprised that it took this many years for them to come up with this law! Of course a policeman should be able to stop anyone to check if they are in their country illegally! Just like a policeman is able to stop any driver to see if he is drunk!

    July 26, 2010 at 4:55 pm | Reply
  66. Amy Weinberg

    I am immigrant. i moved from the USA to Germany 5 years ago with my then German boyfriend and my 1 year old son. My German man and I were pretty much forced into marriage by the German government. It was either that or go home (my son was 3 at the time and spoke better German than English). We married and now 2 and half years later we are getting divorced.

    I was told that my high school diploma was worthless over here, so I went back to school for 3 years. I came over here not knowing a word of German and last year (June 2009) i graduated with a very good Abitur. I have not started job training and now that i am getting a divorce i am out on my own with my son and getting state help. very fine and peachy, except that since i need the state help i may end up deported. (i really don't have a choice my German husband threw me out). Being the spouse of an EU citizen was somewhat easier, but trying to make it on you own is tough. Germany is a very hard country to integrate into. I think that I speak German well enough to be considered fluent and still the fact that i make mistakes is enough to cause problems that have nothing to do with my understanding of the language.

    I am not entirely certain that i think it is worth it to stay in Germany for the rest of my life. I like this city and I have spent a lot time trying to integrate and to learn the language. I was told by an immigration lawyer here that no matter how much money i make and how long I live in Germany for the rest of my life i will have to get a new visa every year and I have no chance at permanent residency as that really doesn't exist for people like me here (i.e. only spouses can get that, you would have to become a German citizen, which I do not want to be). I have read that England can be somewhat friendlier so I may be looking at them next. I always dreamed of living in Europe when i was a child, I never thought it would be this complicated though.

    Here's hoping that in a year i will be earning over 1,000 euros a month or the US is going to have some returning immigrants.

    July 26, 2010 at 4:56 pm | Reply
  67. Jurgen R. Brul

    Hello CNN friends,

    We Need Healthy Immigration Laws,
    which STOPS Heroin, Cocaine and Marihuana use
    in the Dark side of Our World!

    Let us Now make our world
    a Better Healthier and Beautiful World
    for You and for Me!

    Jurgen R. Brul
    Hometown: Paramaribo
    Country: Suriname

    July 26, 2010 at 4:59 pm | Reply
  68. eduardo

    I'm an American retired and living in Mexico for the last four years. And I support what Arizona is doing. Mexico is not doing enough for their people so its a safety valve for the country to let all this people go into the U.S. illegally. The money that is sent by families from America to the people here in Mexico helps them to stay alive, granted it may not be as much as it used too. Of course, there are Mexicans that go to the U.S. for the opportunities just as other people from the world do. The Mexicans are great people, very nice. They are too nice and they put up with a lot b.s. from their government; starting from their local, state and federal. But the Mexicans need to work at making their country better and illegal immigration to the U.S. is not the answer.

    It's surprising to me that the Mexican president has intervened in the U.S. Courts when they treat their illegals coming in through their south border deplorably. They are sequestered, some by the police, robbed and the women raped and some sold into prostitution as reported by some Mexican newspapers.

    Finally, as I tell my Mexican friends, America and its states have the right to pass laws that benefit their citizens, just like Mexico and its states have the same right. P.S. I'm an American of Native American descent that has lived the American dream and that lives in Mexico because my wife is Mexican. Thank you America

    July 26, 2010 at 5:07 pm | Reply
  69. Eduardo

    I am a LEGAL immigrant from Mexico in the US. I just received my citizenship and I am now proud to be American. I am also for LEGAL immigration and I think both sides skew the numbers and statistics to use in their favour. My experience has been that LEGAL immigration is not only needed but welcomed. It is a part of society around the world and helps developed nations with an influx to the work force and population growth much needed to withstand their aging workforce and population demands.
    I would hope that people would not react so passionately to this but instead look at the factual numbers on the benefits vs. Cons and make an informed decision. I personally think that if the government of the USA wants to control migration, they need to fine heavily the immigrants that are here illegally. This will bring much needed resources to the government and a legal way for migrants to stay.

    Yes you can contact me if you need my opinion on the air.

    July 26, 2010 at 5:12 pm | Reply
  70. Alex

    I'm an immigrant and I can tell you that when I came to this country, we were more welcome here than today. Politicians today are using illegal immigrants as an excuse to covert their tracks for the bad decisions they made before that drove this country to the brink of a financial collapse. When I came to this country, the U.S. was for all family unity, now they are for family unity, as long as you are born here.
    Has the U.S forgotten that immigration (both legal and illegal) has help this country to be the only superpower in the world with their sacrifice they made by coming here and leaving their family behind?, Has the U.S. forgotten that when they need came, the son's of "illegal" immigrants went to war and gave their lives for this country? Has the U.S forgotten that it was known as a country of freedom that allowed Boeing, NASA to be established here and not elsewhere?

    July 26, 2010 at 5:14 pm | Reply
  71. Lorna

    I am a legal immigrant to a european country though I am an American. I had to jump through numerous hoops as a single mother with her son. I have lived and worked here for 20 years and will retire soon. I understand what it means to be a foreigner. People can easily move around the planet now and I am all for that. Legally. If you have laws, make them work.

    July 26, 2010 at 5:17 pm | Reply
  72. ChristianAndersen

    America is caught in a struggle it can never command; its so mired in redneck jingoism peppered with conservative arrogance mired in the broth of a desperate middle class. Arizona can arrest all the brown people it wants... the chinese will be instructing the next generation. Deal with it... hate it... or work for a more perfect union... A GLOBAL UNION WHERE AMERICA IS A PLAYER NOT THE FAT KID COMMANDING OBEDIENCE ...but its no longer got anything to do with the lower forty eight. WAKE UP AMERICA! ITS ALL READY OVER. Arrest all the hard working Mexicans you want... it won't change the future.

    July 26, 2010 at 5:28 pm | Reply
  73. Joy

    I entered the US to study on a scholarship and F-1 visa. I overstayed on my visa due to a slew of medical reasons but when I was leaving NY my travel was re-routed to Pueto Rico becuase I missed my non-stop flight. There they treated me like a criminal becuase I was travelling on a travel document and not my passport. One of the customs and border patrol officer explicitly stated "I HAVE NO RIGHTS." she also deleiberalty ended a phone call I was allowed to make to my fiance because he was asking alot of questions. I had just had an appendectomy and almost went into shock from the trauma and physical and emotional torment they put me through. Despite the fact that it was prooven I had ro police record and I was returning to MY HOME COUNTRY I was put in a cold detention center to spend the night and then put on the next flight and wrongly labelled as a DEPORTEE!!!!! When I was infact given voulontary departure. Their office later admitted that IT WAS A MISTAKE. As a black woman travelling alone I was taken severe advantage of and my rights were carelessly infringed upon and my dignity stripped off completely. Immigrants are people not dogs...I am working on a law suit and want to inform as many people as possible of the unfairness of some of the US policies and immigration workers .

    July 26, 2010 at 5:33 pm | Reply
  74. melody Evans

    To Salayem and all that has written a comment. We are children of the WORLD and to be abandoned from one country or another is an issue that one day you might have to face. If it was not for these immigrants there would be noone doing the service jobs, picking your fruit, cotton or other field work. We should not throw stones at glass houses. I believed in the UNITED STATES. I worked 27 years in that country. I am not confusing any country, just that immigration has effected my life very much like all the others that have written before me. Never believe in anything but yourself.

    July 26, 2010 at 5:33 pm | Reply
  75. Joshua Reuben

    Immigration is a natural human tendency fueled by the hope for a better life. But every country needs to assess for itself, given its present circumstance what policy it needs to adopt in this regard. Immigration could help sustain GDP growth in developed countries where the intrinsic population is growing at a very slow rate or is declining. At the same time, the trade off is that allowing large numbers of people from a particular country to come in could lead to a sort of civilisational clash! Thus, for countries looking to allow a slow stream of immigration, it would probably make sense to try and make the process lead to as multicultural a result as possible. Thus, no one dominant immigrant community comes in which could one day threaten the existing population and at the same time, the country keeps its economic engines churning!
    Its a complex decision that needs to be taken keeping all aspects in mind- the need for economic growth through population growth, the threat perception towards immigration of the existing population as well as the tendency to attract immigrants from only certain countries.
    It must be remembered that allowing doctors, nurses and engineers in to solve a short-term dearth of these professionals allows generations and generations which spring forth from them to come in as well. Thus, immigration should be used as a policy to fill up vacancies only as a last resort!

    July 26, 2010 at 5:34 pm | Reply
  76. desert voice

    All I know is that every immigrant, legal or illegal, has an inalienable dignity not diminished by his or her immigration status. That is the teaching of John Paul II. I uphold this teaching. We are all made in the same Image of God, and we all are endowed with the inalienable right to seek a better life for our families! Any immigration law that does not take the above into account is in violation of the natural law, which is the law of God and the law of men!

    July 26, 2010 at 5:38 pm | Reply
  77. gracie

    Mom: discriminated against because she was the wrong religion in Ireland (Church of Ireland), discriminated against because she was Irish in England, discriminated against because she was a foreigner in America

    - legal status means nothing (and yes she was legal in all three countries) .......................

    discriminated against because i was with my mom, discriminated against because i am foreign born, doesn't matter that my birth certificate comes from the US State Department - my father filled out the paper work correctly and on time, doesn't matter my father was a US citizen by birth and an Air Force vet. (US citizenship goes through the mother not father - easy out for our military – thanks to the US supreme court)

    i had an accent till the school system decided that i needed to be integrated – guess why i almost failed speech class in college!

    Do i carry my papers to prevent myself from being separated from my children (all US born) in an emergency? Or do I not carry them out of protest? If stopped by the police: i'm a US citizen - I am, ask me where i was born do I plead the 5th? Better yet i will just remember not to visit southern states that border Mexico (yup i got stopped by a some sort of police in Texas once doing random stops, luckily he didn't ask past the 'are u a US citizen" question, (I didn't even think to carry my papers when i was a teenager). But in the end it doesn't matter the US government can take away your citizenship when ever it feels like it

    Citizenship is the FEDERAL governments territory, Arizona should go after the employers the legal US citizens that have helped create this problem they can and do have the power to do that! Above all FAIR trade would fix so many of the problems, FREE trade has created.

    July 26, 2010 at 5:38 pm | Reply
  78. Rich

    The CNN website, at a minimum, is run by idiots that don't understand the issues. There's a big difference between legal, controlled immigration and being swamped by illegal Mexicans invading our country.

    July 26, 2010 at 5:52 pm | Reply
  79. JimS

    Amy O'Conner's post above is exactly the right way to go about it. Amy realizes that there is a right way and a wrong way to go about anything – including immigration. Congrats to Amy – I personally wish to thank Amy for her comments.

    July 26, 2010 at 5:59 pm | Reply
  80. fkusa

    affected me a lot! i cant even get my gf from Europe to come visit me in USA! they are targeting a women rather than the real terrorists.

    July 26, 2010 at 6:04 pm | Reply
  81. Jonny

    Well, for me I have to listen to a lot more Tejano, given shitty looks when I drive down the street, and have people stealing my gardening equipment. That's how "Immigration" has affected me.

    July 26, 2010 at 6:12 pm | Reply
  82. chris

    I am an immigrant, but i am not a criminal, we are here to make a better life, america is always an immigrant country and always be, we are small people, america promises a lot, obama said he can do a lot, he never kept his promise, is tht lie or wt, bcs he jus wanted to be a preisdent, i know he must be having to much pressure, but for us its only hope, im not scared of anything. its bcs of immigrants america is there, i m not a criminal, not a rapist just a small guy who wants to wrlk and have a better life,,i thinks most of the people wants to have tht, nobody wants crime , terrorism and all,lets pray and make a world better place, peace

    July 26, 2010 at 6:19 pm | Reply
  83. DD


    July 26, 2010 at 6:20 pm | Reply
  84. chris

    1 more thing, we r dying in every moment of our life, scared, stress, financial problems, i hope obama does something, its like 2 years now, somebody has to make change, i hope obama doest it,

    July 26, 2010 at 6:23 pm | Reply
  85. Cecilia

    Until the Arizona law passed I have been uninvolved in the immigration issue – living in the northeast, we don't have boarder issues. One fact that has amazed me is the amount of Federal and State funds used in providing benefits and services to the illegal alien population. It is time to rein in these benefits and costs. I can now say that I support the Arizona policy and feel it would be beneficial in other states.

    July 26, 2010 at 6:35 pm | Reply
  86. Kate

    *I live in Ukraine. I'm not an immigrant. And I'm pride of it.

    Most people try to go out from the Ukraine. We used to think, that there are a lor of works, a lot of opottunities in other coutries. I was in Europe, I lived in the USA. And most of all I want to stay in my country.

    We have a lot of problems with an employment, the level of economic and finencial development. A lot of people from Ukraine work in Italy, England, France, Israel... But I love my country. I think, the problem of immigrance is in our heards. We should understand, that in our country are a lot of good works and thihg to do.

    I work as a journalist in my Ukraine. And I belive, that I can do my best only in my country.

    July 26, 2010 at 6:48 pm | Reply
  87. Vinay Puri

    I am an immigrant and came from India to US as a student to pursue my higher studies. I did Masters with full scholarship and later did Part-time MBA. I worked for fortune five hundred companies with salaries in six figures. My last company could not able to get me the green card within the tenure of my H-1b. I asked my company to move me to Canada. Canada graciously accepted me and offered me permanent residence based on my education and experience.

    All I can say is – America need to value education and highly skilled people. If a person has a 6 figure salary, top education, he/she does not have to prove much to get residence in any other country in the world. America offered me a full scholarship to study but could not offer me a residence to continue contributing towards its economy. It’s bad for America ended being good for Canada.

    July 26, 2010 at 6:52 pm | Reply
  88. Ingrid Kajankova

    When I was 15, I moved to the USA from Slovakia and lived, studied and worked there for 12 years. Now, I'm living back on the old continent in Prague, Czech Republic.

    US is overall a welcoming country, a country that offers plentiful opportunities for people who want to work hard and succeed. I am thankful for that.

    I don't oppose legal immigration, but don't think it is right that people come to US illegally and take advantage of the system and don't pay taxes for example. Tougher policies should apply to illegals who didn't got through the proper process just like us legal immigration who had to invest a lot of time and money and followed the rules.

    Everyone who wants to live in the US should follow the established rules. Otherwise, they should return to their country to be fair to all the honest US citizens and legal immigrants.

    I plan to move back to the US soon, after my work assignment is done here in the Czech Republic.

    July 26, 2010 at 6:55 pm | Reply
  89. aatami

    Henry! How did you get out? I been trying to figure a way to get out of here for a couple years now! Please help!

    July 26, 2010 at 7:02 pm | Reply
  90. becette jean

    after spending 34 years in the US as a permanent resident, procratinated on getting my citizenship application ( got to be too expensive too), the event of my life took me back to France. i kiss the grounds of the founding fathers of our nation, the United States of America, no matter how flawed we may be, europe is a mess and a doorway to disaster. France is a revolving door or poor infrastructure patched up with immigrants who obviously got the game in town that social security and welfare is the equivalent to a job! 19 millions of worker support the 63 and some millions of the population! Having tougher laws on immigration may also help France define its identity. I think the Arizona immigration laws are too tough and needed to be re looked at to help people rather than expell them. We need immigrant espacially the ones who are willing to come and work and make a better life for themselves. Perhaps also helping to create jobs in mexico, guatemala, el salvador, to name a few will stop the flux towards el norte...i can't imagine the hole it must make in those countries to lose all these people!

    July 26, 2010 at 7:05 pm | Reply
  91. SteveO

    If you come to America illegally you are a criminal! Enter America legally—period! The only immigration allowed should be on an ‘as needed basis’ based on skills needed in American society at any given time. This would be a good policy for Mexicans seeking citizenship because for the foreseeable future there is a strong need for general non-skilled labor.

    July 26, 2010 at 7:05 pm | Reply
  92. Its@illegal-not-immigrant

    Immigration isn't and never was the issue. The issue is illegally entering a country. It doesn't matter if the perp is from mexico, or anywhere. As it happens the emotion of this cr#p is based on the huge numbers of illegal entrants who HAPPEN to be from south of the US border. OBTW, while the mexican and other southern countries are screaming check out the laws in their countries for being in their country illegally. Enjoy your meal the guards will be around later.

    July 26, 2010 at 7:09 pm | Reply
  93. Pieter Koedijk

    I immigrated to the United States in 2002. Originally from the Netherlands I walked the legal path to immigrate to this country. I've adapted, and spoke the language beforehand (high school) and perfected it through living here. I married an American from Wisconsin and I consider myself all American.

    Now to the debate about racial profiling, I would have no problem with being asked about my residency here, even if it was done based upon my nationality or color (if being stopped during a violation). I understand people feel that we should welcome immigrants, and this country does, but there is a right way to do it and an illegal way to do it. Nobody should be rewarded something from breaking the law, as that is what illegal immigrants are, regardless of their situation. Clemency should be out of the question, and illegal immigrants should (when caught) be deported as the law is clear about this.

    It doesn't make sense that if one person buys a car, worked hard for it and deserves it, while another person steals it, and is then rewarded the car because we feel bad for him and his situation/background. The law is the law, and again there is a legal way to immigrate to this country, abide by it and you are more than welcome here, but criminals don't belong there and giving illegal immigrants a chance for citizenship is an enormous slap in the face for legal immigrants like me.

    July 26, 2010 at 7:14 pm | Reply
  94. Kip

    I came to the US on a student visa in 2000. In 2008, I went to Mexico to renew my visa in preparation to go home later that year so I could spend much time with my family and not have to worry about renewing my visa while at home. My visa got cancelled while in Mexico and I couldnt get back pending FBI background check. I was able to get it renewed 6 weeks later but wasnt able to go home due to civil unrest in Kenya around that time. I have been afraid to go home, especially now that I am nearing the end of my graduate studies for fear that my visa might not be renewed and I will have to stop my education alltogether! Will I stay here post grad school? Only if I dont have to run and hide. I'd rather be poor and free than rich and unfree.

    July 26, 2010 at 7:21 pm | Reply
  95. Niels

    Both my mother and my wife are legal immigrants from Europe. Both of them immigrated here legally. When my mother came, the process was simplistic and inexpensive. For my wife, the complete opposite is true. We filled out every form, went to every interview, paid all the fees, and it was a horrible experience. In a way, I don't blame immigrants from avoiding all the red tape that the gov't puts up. Whatever the gov't touches becomes an instant bureaucratic nightmare.

    Even though the process is far from pleasant, the laws that exist need to be followed. I am all for immigration reform, but that does not mean amnesty. Those who came illegally need to be deported and apply like everyone else. Under no circumstance should illegal aliens be given a slight punishment and allowed to stay in the US. I know their lives will be disrupted and also their families, but they should have considered the consequences of their actions. Every choice has a consequence and those who chose to go the illegal route must be punished and made to submit to the law.

    Arizona is trying to get a handle on their immense problem. I don't believe their law goes far enough. It only allows for police to question a person's status if they are already in the country and associated with a crime. The problem needs to be nipped in the bud, at the boarder, not after the problem has balloned into the situation on hand in AZ. When will people finally wake up and realize the dire situation this country has fallen into?

    July 26, 2010 at 7:27 pm | Reply
  96. Dr B

    Why is there such a hangover with the Latinos? There are so many Europeans, especially from the old Soviet era countries who are in the US illegally. Just go to Chicago, Florida, New York and California.
    Many homes for the elderly employ them!!! Also why the big fuss with the US, so many US citizens have left or want to leave the US as society has broken down....simply put "The Statue of Liberty" is no more what she symbolises.

    July 26, 2010 at 7:39 pm | Reply
  97. Mitchell

    As a Canadian I believe stricter immigration laws are the key to preserving our Canadian identity. In southern Ontario the population of illegal immigrants is astonishing. Public schools have been flooded with immigrants, making children born in Canada a minority amongst their classmates. In order to preserve our Canadian culture, immigration laws must be stricter and strongly enforced. The community I have grown up has deteriorated due to a heavy flow of immigrants, particularly Asians. I feel that MY country is no longer in control of the immigration taking place. The Canadian government also heavily underestimates the amount of tax evasion, fraud, and disrespect to the Canadian culture caused by illegal immigrants in Ontario. What I once called "home" is no longer a place I where feel comfortable. It is not fair to the Canadian citizens and long term residents of this once beautiful nation that they are now a minority amongst a flood of legal and illegal immigrants from over seas. My message to Steven Harper, CLOSE THE DOORS!

    – Toronto, Canada.

    July 26, 2010 at 7:40 pm | Reply
  98. Ruth from Ohio

    I am in favor of the new law in Arizona , the illegal immigrants drain our school systems,because any child gets an education in this country whether their parents pay taxes or not,again at our expense, they drain the hospitals of money ,the cities, shall I go on ....this has not just happened,this has been going on for decades, but no politician wants to discuss it because now it is an election year, what was the reason before? Politicians talk the talk but they can't walk the walk....why is it that when politicians run for office they speak with intelligence,then they get the job they become stupid?

    July 26, 2010 at 7:40 pm | Reply
  99. Qaisar hasan (Lahore Pakistan)

    why cant the laws be made friendlier and make people s life easy to follow....When ever you make complex , hard liner laws favorable to specific focused groups, rather than to general public at large, more these are broken or seldom followed..
    Broader spectrum, In the era of globalisation, global village and universal concept we are forming laws to segragate and sketch further boundaries........surely not justified.
    It would be wise to make laws even harder for those found involved in henius crimes, adultry, robbery, narcotics and above all racists but please donot show your narrow minded vision and hummilate already hummilated people in their own countries that led to leave their homelands...........

    July 26, 2010 at 7:55 pm | Reply
  100. Caligirl

    Im an American married to a German. We live in the US and went through the proper channels to get his residency. We did it legally and paid hefty filing fees to the USCIS. As an American I have the right to marry anyone I want, but none the less I have had to do it legally. We had to pay money, fill out dozens of forms and wait for approval. My husband works, pays taxes and contributes to the economy. I have no pity for those who chose use illegal means to be here.
    However, I do believe there needs to be immigration reform to make it easier for immigrants to come here to WORK and pay taxes like the rest of us.

    July 26, 2010 at 7:58 pm | Reply
  101. Lynn

    My family became US Citizen in 2000 after 5 years of being a green card holder. At that time, my mom was eligible to file to petition for her sister, and she did. Technically, my aunt can bring her family to US when she get visa. Do you know it take longer than 10 years for that kind of petition to be reviewed? Only last week, we just received the confirmation from National Visa Center that the case is within one to two years away from review. Here is the kicker everyone. My aunt passed away a few years ago. Now we are told her family cannot get visa as my aunt is no longer alive. We cannot get our cousins to come to US after waiting 10 years. We waited (and have been waiting) to have a chance to contribute to society while to better our life. My aunt will not have that chance. She die waiting. Now, her family will not have a chance as there is no process for us to get them US no matter how many years more we are willing to wait. Is it fair?

    July 26, 2010 at 7:59 pm | Reply
  102. susan Yamini

    I personally think immigratnts bring lots of good things into the countries,
    America wouldn't be America if it didn't have any immigrants.It's so much more colourfull to have people from other countries and is much more intresting,
    we all have to get along in this new world if we want to have safer nation.I don't think nine eleven would've happenned if we got along with the middle east and respected theme , let's not have any more war. Let's fix the immigration problem for once and all so we can all go back to work and do positive things with are life .We all human's and lets all respect each other, please.Even if we respect the worse kind of humans beings in kindeness maybe they will change too and be more respectful to theme self.So please let's stop this fighting lets get this economy going in a peacful way.And let's vote for immigration reform it's good carma for America god is watching you this is your last chance to show the world.

    July 26, 2010 at 8:01 pm | Reply
  103. Dr B

    Please do use my comment....from The EU

    July 26, 2010 at 8:02 pm | Reply
  104. BrasDan

    Anyone who claims they're for "legal" immigration but against illegal" immigration is either lying or self delusional. Do they support legal immigration with the same passion they oppose ïllegals'? I think a survey of indigenous "american" Indians would overwhelmingly relegate all European decendants here in the US as illegal. I am a welcome immigrant in Brasil because my Brasilian partner has no "legal" recourse to live with me in the US. I am fairly ashamed at this latest wave of xenophobia at home.

    July 26, 2010 at 8:08 pm | Reply
  105. Freedom

    Immigration in the United States disrupts the family circle while i do recognize the importance of monitoring the borders why should someone be deported who went to the United states at the age of 9 legally filed for by his mother who was at the time a united states naturlize citizen and because he committed a crime at the age of 17 sent back to his country of birth where he has no immediate family after he has served his time this is totally unaccpetable not to mention that the indiidual went through all the legal processed required for him to be a citizen as when he was called to uplift his passport he was not in the home and was told he would arrive later...This is why i say immigration is who has the money will win the right to stay...

    July 26, 2010 at 8:08 pm | Reply
  106. David Sheriff


    I emigrated to Brasil in 2008. I was married to a Brasilian and we had lived in UK ( me all my life, her 5 years ).

    It is an open and welcoming country here with no restrictions. After 17 months I became registered as a Brasilian and now teach English in a local school.

    I use CNN as a great way to get my students to learn the language.

    T´chau David aged 64 now ( it´s never too late ! )

    July 26, 2010 at 8:15 pm | Reply
  107. Dunc

    I know a girl who got raped by an illegal (my friends gardener) (not reported)
    Me and my friend stopped to help some illegals get their car out of a small ditch. It turned out they were drunk and ran off the road and were actually having a knife fight.

    July 26, 2010 at 8:25 pm | Reply
  108. an Indian

    All of you,
    You are welcome to a new land of opportunities. India. For centuries, India has welcomed immigration, not to mention a huge influx of illegal immigrants from Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Burma and other Asian countries, most of who have earned a better livelihood.
    With this century's turn, India is poised to provide ample opportunities. Come, explore and enjoy the incredible India!

    July 26, 2010 at 8:35 pm | Reply
  109. dan

    I, like so many other Americans, am absolutely opposed to illegal immigrants. My people came here LEGALLY and always put this country first and that meant learning ENGLISH. They never expected special treatment and the sill idea of racism never entered their heads. Mexican illegals are exactly the opposite of my people. The will not learn our language, yet this is where they eat. They sponge off of us and disrespect out country and our ways. And yet we are the racists!!! Press one for English must end–we have had enough.

    July 26, 2010 at 8:45 pm | Reply
  110. Karl

    As one who not only has lived in AZ most of my 54 years, but also worked in the field (construction) where these people are exploited, by their own kind, understand a few things.
    1) Those that claim they are paying SS and other taxes "that they will never claim on" are not at all knowledgeable in how they are 'recruited'

    They are 'hired' as part of a piece work crew (read, by the foot or job payment) mostly by another Hispanic that speaks enough English to make the deal with companies that pay this way, on HIS 1099. His SSN may be, or more than likely, is not valid. He does not care, he has no intention of claiming SSI. The companies that will hire him are not little guys, there are MANY large ones, mostly the residential market builders as they use the 'independent contractor method of payment' that will turn the other cheek, or make him sign a indemnification statement that puts the burden (?) on him for enforcing employment eligibility.
    This guy then goes out and puts together a slave crew of illegals to do just that, slave under his direction for ridiculously low wages, paid cash, no taxes, no SS, no FICA/FUTA, no mercy. If they don't play along he will threaten them with disclosure to the INS folks then go out and hire 10 more the next day. I have personally been told by one of these guys, "You know why I have money? Because if these guys don't do what I tell them, I'll call the BP on them and not pay them at all if I want"
    2) If you want to keep your own areas wages where a guy can make a living, get your state to outlaw piece work and the 'independent' (1099) worker, unless he can produce the correct licensing documents to be an 'independent contractor'.

    Now, you tell me what part of this is not clear to your armchair quarterbacks seat!

    July 26, 2010 at 8:58 pm | Reply
  111. Tarun

    I wanted to bring to attention that is under the radar. Legal immigrants are so unwanted at this point. I am living in US since 2005 on H1b visa. I pay my mortgage, I pay Social Security taxes ( around 13000 a year), I abide by rules and still it would take me 10 years to be eligible for a Green Card. My wife has masters but does not have visa to work. It has become extremely hard to continue to live in this country. The immigration process is getting very very unfriendly for High skilled people. People who are highly skilled, when they leave US, half of their jobs go with them. Additionally, the reporting lower jobs move with them. Additionally, the money they would have spent in US also goes out. US is creating a low skilled society at a amazing rate. Kids are dropping out of school, smarter ones from outside are not welcomed, illegals unskilled migrants are welcome. So in all all this is going to add to the degrading quality of life.
    With the policy of protectionism, America is creating a society which is in competent.
    This country was land of opportunity. It is not the only one now. People have equal opportunities at other places. What attracted people to US was the free society and infrstructure. With the current immigration policy of disccouraging highly skilled people to move or remain in US, the trade off of leaving US for slightly inferior infrastructure seems better than the stress it is living here.
    In this information age, not just physical infrastructure but technology infrastructure and other services are also very important. Rest of the world is definitely either better or atleast at par with the technical infrastructure. US is no more the only land of opportunity and is rapidly loosing its higher ranking. US would continue to attract immigrants but as the quality of them rapidly decreases, hence the jobs that immigrants create would reduce. Immigrants would start fighting for American jobs instead of adding jobs for americans with their innovation and leadership.
    I wish there was leadership in US which could continue to respect and attract best of the best from across the globe

    July 26, 2010 at 9:00 pm | Reply
  112. dan

    Let me ask the question we need to ask and do not: Just what is so good about multi-culturalism? It has destroyed England and France. And you bet the English and French cultures have an inherent right to protect themselves from incursions that are killing them. Why is it when white cultures try to preserve themselves htey are racist but non-white cultures are merely displaying cultural pride? Here in NYC spanish harlem is seeing many whites moving in. And–yes, you guessed it. They are trying to make sure that spanish culture doesn't get lost there. Why isn't that racist? God help England and America.

    July 26, 2010 at 9:03 pm | Reply
  113. Omran A.

    I am a legal immigrant who 10 days ago became a US citizen and I am proud of it. I believe that immigrating to the US opened up for me so many doors that otherwise might have remained closed. I entered legally, obeyed the law and paid taxes. It took 15 years for me to become a citizen, but it did happen. I believe that there is a legal way to citizenship that works.

    Canada embraces immigration and is truly multicultural and a great success. I know first hand as I have relatives there and I visit them often. However, Canada's immigrants are for the most part legal and Canada does not have a porous border with millions of people trying to get through. That is the main difference from the US'immigration problem.

    July 26, 2010 at 9:06 pm | Reply
  114. Angelita

    I have lived in the USA for 31 years. I became an American citizen. I worked every single day. I never asked for government help. I raised 2 children, now successful adults. I learned English. I accepted and embraced this culture. I bought my house. And much more.
    Now, I don't have a job, my family has to support me, my unemployment is gone. People like me, by the thousands. These are the people America should take care of.
    Illegals should be sent back to their countries, simply because they're breaking the law, but the government helps them. Illegals are a business, better business than legal immigrants. Many organizations would be in real money trouble without illegals. It's just a business, and it should be stopped.

    July 26, 2010 at 9:06 pm | Reply
  115. Cockroach

    I also left the USA for Europe because I couldn't stand their ignorance.

    July 26, 2010 at 9:25 pm | Reply
  116. Margaret

    I was born in the USA, went to France for a year as a student, and it turned into the rest of my life. This was possible because in those faraway days there were no "illegal aliens" or "undocumented workers". They had legal immigration in those days (the early 70s), if you found a job, you went to the Work Ministry and they gave you working papers. Then in 1974, France "stopped immigration" and – presto – overnight created a new problem – illegal immigrants and workers. Since then most countries, developed or not, have done the same thing, and it gets worse every year. Now it's almost impossible for an American (or any non European Union national) to get working papers in a European country. Of course, if you have so much money that you don't need to work, that's OK, you can be a resident. They too have invented complicated and expensive hoops that non EU spouses must slog through for the "wrong" kind of married couple to be able to live together. What a mess.

    July 26, 2010 at 9:47 pm | Reply
  117. Samantha Alon

    I have been living now in the Us for 18 years and counting. I came here as a legal resident and had to wait many years to be sponsored in order to be legal in this country.It was my dream since a child to live here as i grew up in apartheid South Africa.

    I believe that no one should be here illegally as it took me many years of waiting and ultimately becoming a US citzen It has been a long and hard road leaving everything i had behind family and friends and starting new but i believe it was all worth it in the end.

    This is the greatest country in the world and i am proud to be an American citzen. I have absolutely no regrets leaving South Africa although i miss the country. I now consider the US my home.

    July 26, 2010 at 9:59 pm | Reply
  118. Gopi

    CNN needs to understand that there is a huge difference between legal and illegal immigration.
    Legal , Paid taxes, obeyed law all the times, helped economy by buying home, earn here spend here but waiting for Green card(not even citizenship) line for more than 7 years still 4 more years at a minimum to go.
    Huge numbers of unused green cards visas (from rest of the world )go wasted due to laziness of USCIS which could be used for highly skilled immigrants from China and India.

    Pathetic thing in this country is fate of legal immigration is tied with illegal immigration
    I am fed up , seriously considering going back leaving one more home in the foreclosure market.

    July 26, 2010 at 10:04 pm | Reply
  119. Joe

    I have become angry at their arrogance and their corrupt lifestyles lying and cheating so as to get government subsidies, which are to be for americans that need them.
    They are bankrupting our health care, government, schools and what ever they can get their hands on. I have lost all respect for them and they need to back to their country.

    July 26, 2010 at 10:20 pm | Reply
  120. KVZ

    Thank you, thank you Mildred Antonelli! I agree with you 100%.

    Two things to everyone else: 1) read The Uses of Haiti by Paul Farmer to get just a little glimpse into the consequences of American officious intermeddling in another country's business and 2) Americans and Brits should learn how to write in English. It always cracks me up that those who whine the loudest about immigrants have the worst grammar.

    July 26, 2010 at 10:35 pm | Reply
  121. lawrence harwin

    i am furious over the fact that these illegals are not called that. they are just being called immigrants. they are illegal and broke the law. my grandparents emigrated from Russia in 1885 legally. only law abiding legal people should be here. all the illegals no matter where they came from should be allowed. to stay all the others should have to go back and apply for entry. it seems we are being over run and it just continues. children of illegals should not be citizens. i am voting straight republican for the first time in my life because the DAMN DEMS want to give amnesty.

    July 26, 2010 at 10:41 pm | Reply
  122. Milly O

    High multiculturalism and diversity is the result of high population growth, due to immigration. It is not an ideal that is being encouraged because mainstream culture is inferior and that high "diversity" adds to society's integrity and economics, but a symptom of economic growth through population growth! Some diversity is stimulating and multiculturalism helps good global tolerance, but once it threats mainstream numbers, it becomes an over-population threat. Unless people assimilate, society becomes disjointed. Erode the foundations of society, the mainstream culture, and the tree eventually withers and dies as its roots cannot provide sustenance and stability. The only way to restore the fruits is to revive the culture. And the only way to revive the culture is to attend to the foundations.

    July 26, 2010 at 10:51 pm | Reply
  123. David

    I am an immigrant. I was born in the former USSR, and I was there long enough to vividly remember it. I'm all for legal immigration. Legal immigration is the life blood of this country and it's the thing that makes this country great.

    Illegal immigration, or "breaking and entering", is the same when they do it to a country as when they do it to a house. Against the law, and is a crime. Period.

    For those that don't think it should be, tell me; does Mexico invite illegal immigrants? How about people from Guatemala, or Ecuador, or Panama? No? So if the Mexican government is allowed to exert its sovereign authority, how can you refuse that to the US?

    July 26, 2010 at 10:58 pm | Reply
  124. Sam

    I am glad this topic has come up!!

    Legal immigrants who contribute to the well being of a Nation should be encouraged. Illegal immigrants should be dealt with.

    I lived in the US for 8 years. After 8 years, I had to go and check on my ailing mother. When I went to apply for my US VISA, I was refused!! After 8 freakin years!! My own people!! The country that was more than home to me, showed me the door. Why? Just because I worked legally? or Paid my taxes? Or I have no criminal record, not even a speeding ticket?
    Still illegal immigrants from Mexico were all over Colorado? Nothing was done to them. But people like us get pushed around just because we are honest. I want to thank all of you in the Department of Homeland Security for taking a man's home away from him. Seperating him from his people!!
    Where is justice? I know there is no justice!!

    July 26, 2010 at 11:19 pm | Reply
  125. Grant

    I'm an American citizen born in California, and until recently I thought I'd never leave that beautiful place. But then I fell in love, in the that long slow slide of happiness, and before I knew what was going on my own country suddenly put this horrible choice on me. See the person I'd fallen in love with was another guy, a student I'd met while at college, and he was from Australia. He could come to the US for short periods, to study or whatever else, but he couldn't STAY. And all because we couldn't get married.

    We got a domestic partnership in California. We hired attorneys, and applied for more schools. But in the end we kept getting split up. Over and over again, he'd have to leave and I'd be left with an empty apartment and a too large bed. In the end, I've had to leave the US behind entirely. I live in Australia now, and all because what the two of us share isn't allowed in American immigration. So America loses two taxpaying citizens, and Australia slowly starts feeling like a new home.

    July 26, 2010 at 11:19 pm | Reply
  126. d.shutt

    You and most complainers are totally missing the point. Are you talking about LEGAL immigration or ILLEGAL immigration. All the problems are with ILLEGAL immigration. Those people broke our laws when they entered this country. I can't skip by immigration when entering our country and I was born here.
    I have been stopped in other countries and asked for identification and had to show my passport. This is not unusual. Only when it happens here the complainers feelings are hurt. TOO bad.

    July 26, 2010 at 11:29 pm | Reply
  127. Henry Loyd

    I am an immigrant. I am an American who is now living in Korea. I went through the process of getting a visa. It cost money and it takes time. I would like to see immigration rules relaxed. I think that we can all make contibution to help one another and that most Mexicans who come the the USA are only looking for ways to help and they really want to live a po\rodive and fullfilling life. I feel really good when people come to my home town to live or to visit.

    July 26, 2010 at 11:39 pm | Reply
  128. Rodney Moore

    I am a LEGAL American immigrant to Québec. I was born and raised in the US. I went to Montréal, Québec to study abroad and decided to stay. The immigration process in Québec as well as Canada, is one of extreme contradictions. Highly educated immigrants in Québec go through a process known as selection. Selected immigrants are supposedly prized, because we speak French often as well as English, we possess a degree and years of experience in an industry which is important. The majority of Québécois prefer selected immigrants and if you visit the Ministry of Immigration's website, you'd be under the impression that all permenant immigrants are selected, but you'd be dead wrong. Most immigrants to Québec aren't selected, they're sponsored immigrants(sister's brother's cousin's brother-in-law) by permenant residents from the 3rd World, legitimate refugees, or those who break in line by abusing the refugee system(ie Mexicans).

    (British) Canada and Québec have to strikingly different and very imcompatible visions on how immigrants and ethnic minorities should immigrate. The federal government of Canada has become filled with Mullahs and Ayatollahs of multiculturalism. Whereas Québec wants immigrants and ethnic minorities to integrate and become part of the society at large. The Citizenship and Immigration Canada agency actually promotes multiculturalism and ethnic ghettoization opposed to integration within the community at large. So in RoC(Rest of Canada other than Québec) ethnic ghettos are the norm. It's not hard to see Chinese, Japanese and Indian Canadians who've only lived with, associated with and worked with their own kind for more than 3 generations. Whereas in Québec, the American, French and Australian model of integration is prefered. Immigrants and ethnic minorites are asked to adapt, learn French and integrate. Some of you might be asking, but isn't Québec part of Canada? Québec runs it's own immigration, in unison with the Federal Government of Canada. And this is why it's so complicated and contradictory. Québec is overwhelmingly French, whereas the Rest of Canada is overwhelmingly English speaking. But the differences don't stop there. Québec has always been keen on wanting people to integrate, whereas Canada is multi-cultural(kinder gentler version of segregation-ghettoization-balkanization). Since Québec is currently part of Canada, all applicants who move to Québec have to go thru not one, but TWO immigrations, one national(Québec) the other federal(Canada). If you want to study you have to get a Certificate of Acceptance from Québec and then get a study visa from Canada. If you want to work temporarily, you have to get the C.A.Q. from Québec, along with a labor market report and then work visa from Canada. If you want to immigrate permenantly, you get Certificate of Selection from Québec and then apply for permenant residency from Canada. To say the least this is a ridiculously time consuming, confusing and discouraging process. Québec and Canada say they want to attract highly educated and francophone people to Québec, especially French, Belgians, Swiss and Europeans. But this immigration system serves to discourage qualified immigrants, while it attracts the very kind of immigrants who need to be kept out.

    As a gay American with a foreign spouse. I cannot sponsor him or bring him along, without risking his deportation. Straight Americans can bring their fiancées, gay and lesbian Americans cannot even sponsor their wives/husbands. Of course our "fierce advocate" HomophObama said he would change this, but it is his administration and justice department which is defending DOMA from repeal. I oppose illegal immigration, be it in the US, Québec or even Canada, but in the US, unconstitutionally treating gay and lesbian couples unequally is what leads many gay immigrants to being illegal. Americans who have foreign spouses, such as myself, are being treated worse than illegal immigrants by the HomophObama administration and the US Government. The key to illiminating illegal immigration is two fold, ONE, make the process easy for qualified immigrants, make it easier for legal immigrants to renew and change their status from within the US. Treat gay and lesbian couples equally with heterosexuals couples, allow gay and lesbian Americans to sponsor their fiancés and spouses just as straights can. Overall have a point based system where only educated, skilled and qualified immigrants can immigrate. And TWO, deport illegal immigrants and immigrants who commit felonies. Pay INS agents more, and let the INS focus on immigration and let Customs & DEA focus on drug trafficking. All states should follow Arizona's lead and turn illegal immigrants into the federal government.

    July 27, 2010 at 12:11 am | Reply
  129. Julius Relampagos

    Without borders, the world will be a better place for everyone.

    July 27, 2010 at 12:30 am | Reply
  130. Chris

    I was an immigrant (thanks God in the past) and with no wrongdoing on my side (at least non intentional) from welcome status I slowly turned into illegal status. I came from the country from which I could seek asylum at that time and within first few weeks I made an appointment at the lawyer's office to assure whole process being clear and legal. After that it was whole nightmare – long waiting, lost documents by the INS, changing laws and whatever else you can imagine.
    Finally after years I just gave up and left the US. Most of people I know from the same environment legalized their status through fake marriages, lotteries and so on.
    Whatever you write about immigrants in the US is only tip of the iceberg. There are many hard working and respecting law people up there who had to go the real hell of the mess at the INS, changing laws and messy bureaucracy.

    July 27, 2010 at 6:12 am | Reply
  131. Nerea Musita

    Legal verses Illegal, right verses wrong. Is it hard to realize why people sneak in to a country (US) in hopes of a better future. Im a kenyan citizen living in Holland. But from experience and knowing many of my country people who experienced going through immigration the legal way was met with utter frustration and alot of expense just to be denied the right for a better education or to move and be with family who are already citizens. Problems in third world countries come from first world countries, so the citizens of third world countries are suppresed by the powers of first world countries to try and make a better life for themselves and their family. How easy it is to forget that in every country in the whole world majority are migrants. especialy the US. HOW DID THE AMERICANS GO AN INVADE THE NATIVE AMERICANS?

    July 27, 2010 at 9:12 am | Reply
  132. Sandra Burkhart

    im an american who lost her last job because i objected to listening to spanish all day. i hurt their feelings. so i was let go and they got to keep their jobs. now i ask you CNN. is this fair... the employment agency who used them told them they had to speak english on the job. but they didn't listen and employment agency didn't enforce.. shows the state of this country. i was so mad. called my state about myself being discriminated and they said nope i wasn't. so go figure the liberal assholes like CNN

    July 27, 2010 at 12:01 pm | Reply
  133. bill

    I moved from MI to SW FL 6 years ago with the intent of starting my successful painting biz from MI to FL. Well, I was shocked when I arrived here and was told by the locals that if I wasn't an illegal or a person that was willing to hire illegals, I wouldn't make it long down here. They were absolutely right. The illegals do 90% of the service and trades down here and most don't even speak english. I was forced to resort to serving tables in a restaurant like i did in college to make ends meet. After 6 years, I realize these illegals do not want to assimilate or take on American culture. As far as pay goes, they either have fake documents or most work for cash. As the illegal works for cash, they have no documented income therefore they qualify for ALL the social services. The illegals get sick, they go to emergency room for FREE healthcare. They use their foodstamps at walmart and go to a state of the art FREE dental clinic for care. Each child an illegal has becomes an American citizen and they also get welfare checks for each child. This more than levels the field on income. In fact, I sometimes wish I were illegal I would have much more money saved up. The illegal invasion is not fair to the American people and is bankrupting our nation. Time to secure the border and deport these people. I don't care how SAD they are they should have stayed home and fixed their own countries

    July 27, 2010 at 7:23 pm | Reply
  134. thomas

    I am an American living in The Netherlands, and my wife is Dutch. Three years ago she immigrated to the US the legal way. It took us about a year to get her there and hundreds of dollars. Now I have immigrated here to the Netherlands and I have begun my immigration process the legal way, and again, we are devoting time and money. But we are both educated people with careers. Other immigrants aren't so fortunate and would surely be turned away. It's like that saying "it's better to ask forgiveness than permission".

    July 27, 2010 at 9:08 pm | Reply
  135. Kelly

    I live in Pima County, between Pinal County where the sheriff's deputy was shot and the Nogales port of entry in your two stories on Tuesday's show. There is no question that drug smuggling and the violence surrounding it is a problem here, but what I don't understand is how SB 1070 is going to do the slightest thing to combat that. Questioning people on a traffic stop about their immigration status might net some migrants who came here looking for work, but it isn't going to catch drug smugglers or coyotes (people who smuggle humans across the border).

    We need to address the actual problems rather than vilify people whose ONLY crime was crossing the border to find work to feed their families. We need federal immigration reform that works so that people can come here to work legally. Then the only people crossing the borders illegally will be the actual criminals.

    July 27, 2010 at 11:33 pm | Reply
  136. livin2win

    Forget about illegal boarder crossing I'm against it. It's too risky, dangerous and illegal.

    What about having lived in NYC for 22 years. My Mom, Dad, Brother and Sister all being US CITIZENS. I went through grammar school, high school and into the University while working full time selling IPO's in Long Island for J.B.Sutton Investment Bankers while feeling, and acting more American than any other American.

    Getting deported after 22 yrs of living as a legal resident/citizen over a sale of a controlled substance at age 18 and subject to leaving behind my work, education, friends, family and my world with no chance to say good buy after serving my time goes against my Human Rights. Ripped from home and still to date feeling the pain. Deported after doing my time to a country where I never grew up in, have no family in, barely spoke the language and never worked or went to school in.

    Rapists, murders, kidnappers, thieves, child abusers, and any non drug related Felons who are legal residents aren't deported only drug offenders are. I grew up in hard times but my life has proven to be different and as an adolescent growing up in NYC i was subject to great peer-pressure.

    Now I'm 33 have a beautiful family with two kids, run and own an English Training Company here in Europe Austria teaching English and Business English to international companies operating here. (www.essentialenglish.at ).

    I look forward to the day I can visit my family and see my city again. I made a huge mistake at age 18 and obviously my life never ended up in the wrong direction. I feel enormous pain knowing that I grew up in NYC since the age of 2 and can't get back home having all my family, grandparents in New York and Florida and all my friends back home. We are not illegal immigrants My grandparents are in the States since the 1960's and many of my cousins and uncles have or are working for the US government. My mother's a doctor, dad is self employed, brother is working for Con-ed and my sister is the CEO of South America for Bank-One former Merill Lynch.

    My life is a positive and successful one. I would love to take my lil girl to Disney Land where I went as a lil boy many times and take my wife to NYC where I grew up in Queens as well as say hello to all my friends and family.

    Nicolas Andres Pena Hertas
    0043 664 343 7684
    FB-Nick Pena

    July 29, 2010 at 9:44 am | Reply
  137. Dr B

    I salute your determination, brilliant and good luck.

    July 29, 2010 at 1:35 pm | Reply
  138. Dr B

    Reading what Nicholas has stated, is it possible for CNN to investigate the many politicans and justice authority who are in the US as a result of the illegal nature in which their parents, grandparents and family members in general arrived in the US.

    Im sure many would be interested to know as to how for e.g Governor Arnold made it to the US and did he overstay before coming clean?

    Surely there are many stories linking illegal entry into the US by friends, family etc of politicans etc..So what is their take on this.

    ALSO what is John McCain´s stand on the Arizona law?

    July 29, 2010 at 1:43 pm | Reply
  139. artsylee

    It seems like this thrust against illegal immigrants is done under the premise that keeping them out will help reduce crime. Is this assumption done based on statistics or cold hard facts that show that naturalized citizens and other non illegals do not commit crimes or have leanings towards deviant behaviour?

    I agree that it does set the tone for the belief that people who look a certain way are inherently responsible for the ills of the state or a neighbourhood. I think that more research and consultation should have taken place.

    July 29, 2010 at 9:23 pm | Reply
  140. Richard Lee Love USARMY RETIRED


    July 30, 2010 at 5:16 am | Reply
  141. livingtheadventure01

    From one proud Arizona citizen to America,

    If Mexico, a country whose main sources of income are drugs and remittances, thinks that enforcing SB1070 is a bad idea, then it is probably good for America.

    Everyone here has a choice, you can stand with Americans, 10% of whom are unemployed, who should have a civil right or at least a reasonable expectation of getting a job in the country where they are born, to have a dignified wage and provide for their families, and to have decent social services..or you stand with criminals who are taking opportunities away. What's your choice?

    I stand with Gov Brewer and am ready to pick up my home fire arm and do my fair share of time protecting my country at the border whenever I'm called upon.

    July 31, 2010 at 12:54 am | Reply
  142. Private

    I think our leaders have failed us. If this influx of Mexicans, many times criminals with drugs and weapons, were happening in wealthier neighborhoods there would not be a debate right now.

    Our leaders put us through so much, I am so very disappointed in our media, state, local, and federal leaders... Why would you do this to our nation. O, I know why, I think... Is it for money, cheaper labor, does it give you pleasure to feel you have slaves again. Or, is it for political gain... votes. The illegal Mexicans seem to think so and they are threatening violent and a take over of this country. They even what "Whites to go back to Europe", and America to be Brown. To think they have given over complete cities and towns. They even said they want to change the name America to AmMexico.

    Our votes do not really matter really, does it. You, our leaders are bound to chaos and have no ideal what you are doing.

    August 2, 2010 at 8:16 am | Reply
  143. kelly13

    What is the question here? Immigration and illegal immigration are totally different things.
    We do not have an immigration problem. We have a huge illegal immigration problem.

    August 8, 2010 at 12:11 am | Reply
  144. bp

    Ok, so my mom came over here from Germany in the late 50's, early 60's after she married my dad, who is from America. She attained her citizenship in the US and has had absolutely no trouble. Her sister followed her 10 years later and waited for many years before attaining her citizenship, but still got it and had no trouble. She didn't have any trouble while she was here all those years without being a citizen. My step dad came over from Germany with his sister when he was 15 and attained his American citizenship, married a German woman, gave up his citizenship to move back to Germany for a government job, then came back after he and his wife divorced. He gained his American citizenship back, and has had no trouble. My opinion.....come over legally, pay attention to your limitations, make sure you don't stay past the time allotted for you to be here, and follow the rules. Why is it so hard for people to follow the rules? They are there for a reason. I see many foreigners here working, but how legal they are I don't know. I think if you are going to work here, pay taxes. Too many people are here working and getting paid under the table and not having to pay taxes. My uncle employees a lot of Hispanics, but they are here legally and they pay taxes. They are a great asset to my Uncle's ranching business. Quit having anchor babies, come over here legally.

    January 23, 2011 at 3:00 am | Reply
  145. bp


    January 23, 2011 at 3:12 am | Reply
  146. police


    March 29, 2013 at 9:10 am | Reply

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