Americans are told that we don't "understand" illegal immigrants plight; what are we not understanding?

â˜†Bombasticâ˜†

What more is there to understand about illegal immigrants other than they've got no respect for this nation and don't have one single right except to leave?

Americans make a clear distinction between legal and illegal immigration, even when politicians and the press do not. Illegal immigrants who really want to become Americans, who honestly want to live here and prosper, will respect our laws and our people. If they truly want to be American citizens, theyâ€™ll want to do it legally, living under an American flag on American soil.

â–ªÏŽhiteÄÄ±rlâ–ªÂ®

Supposedly, we aren't understanding the fact that they are "just looking for a better life..." And since that's "all" there is to it, we should welcome them.

Pirate Girls Kick Butt!

I think that 'they' are referring to the fact that most Americans don't know the perils of which immigrants suffer. They tend to not know why it is people from other countries want to come here, or want to flee their own country. They don't understand why they come here, and then they don't understand how difficult their lives are once they get here. They seem to not understand that their life here is not all sunshine and day dreams, and can't comprehend how bad things had to be for them to flee their country in the first place. So, it is difficult for most Americans to understand their 'plight'. To understand the entire issue, not just the side of feeling intruded upon as a natural born citizen might. No one knows until 'they've been in their shoes' so to speak. Just my impression of what you mean by "don't "understand" illegal immigrants plight"

Obama=Establishment Demagogue

Life is NOT just black and white....But shades of grey.....Have you been to Juarez, and seen the colonias? Just a few steps from where you live, I ask you go there and see the "plight" of these people....Get out of your comfort zone and try to understand their "plight".....Its easy to say, get out of my country, when you have never lived in poverty, where you have no running water and the govt. lines its pockets with $$$ that should go to help its citizens......I am not justifying coming here illegally, but I have been there and done that and have seen with my own eyes and understand their plight....

I agree, I see no reasons why illegal immigrants should be granted amnesty, or even be allowed to live here. There are legal methods to enter the country, work visas, etc., and those must be followed.

When in Rome, do what the Romans tell you, or be ready to meet their legal system. Or crazies. Whomever gets you first.

cincywahine

You're a racist!!!

Just kidding...

We don't understand that they are entitled to whatever they need at our expense....

Jeezzzz.

---End sarcasm----

topgalant

For one thing STOP CALLING THEM "IMMIGRANTS"... THEY ARE ILLEGAL ALIENS... that politically correct stupidity get's in the way of the truth... it's Illegal ALIENS.

B.Kevorkian

I don't see how it can be difficult to understand.

You have one country that is relatively prosperous, and has been for the last 60 years, and has an even longer history of upward mobility among immigrants; this country has laws to prevent discirimination, protect workers, and provide for the indigent. It also has laws against excessive immigration. But, it /also/ has a history of zealously enforcing anti-discrimination and worker-protection laws; and a history of leaving it's immigration laws virtually unenforced.

Right next door, sharing a long, unsecured border, is a country that's been desperately poor for most of it's history, that is presided over by a predominately white, decidedly corrupt government, and has a long and virtually unrepentent history of racism against mestizos and native mexican peoples.

If you were living in the second country - and weren't white and rich - what'd you do? There's a virtual paradise across the border, where you'll have better economic opportunities, and face less racism (in fact, the law will kick the *** of anyone who so much as utters a racial epiphet at you), the border is virtually ungaurded, and though you'll technically be breaking the law, you know that law is rarely enforced. Just in case you're having trouble making up your mind, your corrupt racist government sets up rest stops and publilshes 'how to' manuals to encourage you to get your mestizo butt out of thier country and send $s back from the US.

Is that an adequate understanding of the situation?

cat.tuck2

the only thing I understand is they take LEGAL jobs ILLEGALLY from us

wolfatrest2000

I gotta agree with you there. What I don't understand is the people who don't understand the term "illegal". Just by standing there these people are breaking the law. I have nothing against immigrants, I'd just like them to be law-abiding immigrants. Most aren't paying taxes which means when there is a medical emergency I'm paying for it. When their kids go to school, I'm paying for it. When their uninsured cars are in an accident I'm paying for it because everyone's rates go up. Don't tell me that they work cheaply, that just means a few companies are having a higher profit margin, it also means my taxes are going up to pay for the difference between what they make and what I make. Because a large percentage of what I make gets taken out in taxes.

â™¥Brittanyâ™¥

i don't know. I'm American and i surely understand everything about the whole "illegal immigrants" thing. they think that just because we're American,they assume we're not supposed to have a clue of whats going on over here.

Baby Raptor

well its sort of two faced to be honest.
Businesses will hire them, they are given housing to rent.
It seems many in the establishment want them here then the official position sets in occasionally and they get booted out.
Basically everyone should work on this problem.
Dont hire them dont rent to them.

JessicaRabbit

I think we understand them just fine. We also understand that they don't care about our laws and that they are costing this country BILLIONS of dollars each year. Money that should be spent on US citizens, not the citizens from other countries.

We also understand that is is not an issue about race. It doesn't matter where they come from but if they are illegal, they are criminals and shouldn't be here. We know that when the pro-illegals have run out of legitimate arguments, they pull out the "race card" and call us bigots and racists. Both terms are not true!

Gina

Okay, here's my opinion. It's just an opinion either you like it or you dont. Yes illegal immigrants are breaking the law. Some are here to sell drugs and commit crimes. But, the Country of Mexico is corrupt and living in poverty. Why not instead of sending them back to their country why try to help them become legal citizens. Why isn't there help for immigrants from all over the world to become citizens of the U.S.? As far as taking jobs, I rarely see a Caucasian person applying for a job working in the fields unless it happens to be a Foreman or Manager type job. Why? Because they think that's below them not good enough of a job. Well if nobody wants to do the job step aside and let people work. People of the United States, Mexico, and Canadar are all Americans. People living in the United States are living in the United States OF AMERICA. So please do not say "we Americans" because then you're misusing the word.

Crazybird

I don't get it either because they act like they are the very first people who wanted a better life...the very first to be treated unfairly by an employer....the very first to experience hard times....the very first to be mis-lead from lack of understanding.....the very first to be poor.....the very first and in most cases the ONLY ones who ever picked a crop, built a house, cleaned a room or anything else....the very first to experience discrimination.....difficulty adjusting to a new way of life.....the first anyone ever told NO you can't do that.....the very first to ever go someplace they may not want to go just to find a job....the very first and only ones who were expected to learn another language to live in a country.....etc.etc.
There's times I want to shake them and say "wake-up.....welcome to LIFE!....you aren't that special, difficulty and heartache wasn't reserved just for you,,," etc. Been there done that. I keep hearing "they're part of the human race". Well dugh? Of course they are. And being a part of the human race doesn't exempt you from the bad parts, or entitle you to the good part. They are no better or worse than the rest of us. The rest of us have to obey laws whether we like them or agree with them or not. Whether we think they're fair or not. Doesn't matter. We're all just trying to do the same thing.....get through life the best we can. Man....my life would be so much easier if I didn't have laws to obey. The money I could save that would go to better things!!!

cool.panamania

I fully understand their plight and sometimes find myself feeling bad for them.but There comes a point in time when some start getting very experienced in the art of "getting over." I believe that this is one of the things that angers the American public also.For example,(I just had to tell you this story) my mother works for the local Urban League. They help the inner city communities by giving out food to those who need it.Some of them come in and get an attitude with my mom because the food does not go with their culture.Can you believe that ?

white girl

DON'T KNOW, IT WOULD BE NICE IF THE PEOPLE OF EL PASO WOULD STAND UP AND STOP LOOKING THE OTHER WAY WHEN THEY SEE ILLEGALS COMING ACROSS. I GUESS AMERICANS WILL GET THE PICTURE WHEN AMERICA IS SPEAKING A NOTHER LANGUAGE

Kittieashy

I don't know. My dad and his family legally immigrated here from England. They then became citizens and proudly wave our flag, live by our laws, and celebrate our holidays, not Englands. They have nothing against England and are proud of their heritage yet moved to America for a reason and embraced the American lifestyle. Many others have done the same thing so why can't the Mexicans? Oh yes, because they don't want to be Americans, they just want to abuse our system. There is no "plight." Come here legally..that's all there is to it.

ignoramous i

amen my man, amen!

Sue

You perfectly understand that but do you understand why Government says is doing but really doesn't do anything about that?
Because if someone had the power to put all the illegal inmigrants all together and sendt them back to their countries at once, you would not be as proud as you are right now to be an American.
NO PEOPLE TO WORK THE FIELDS, NO PEOPLE TO RENT THE HOUSES THAT AMERICANS "OWNERS" ARE PAYING...this country will go to BANKRUPTCY.

Josh M

It will always be that we don't "understand" the plight of others. Sadly, what the others don't do is turn around and see why they are leaving in the first place. They are leaving for greater economic opportunity, freedom and a better way of life. They also ignore the fact that their country, while possibly democratic and open to economic change, has a completely different view on immigration which is similar to ours but is non-negotiable.

At no point does anyone complain that the Mexican government will arrest just about any illegal immigrant into the country. If that person is there legally, they are only allowed to work in certain jobs. If that person then becomes a citizen, they are still banned from doing most high-ranking jobs because they are not Mexican-born. Most people ignore the fact that the US only works if the rules are followed and laws are, for the most part, universal and cover everyone. But, somehow that isn't a factor when an illegal immigrant breaks a law by being an illegal immigrant. It appears as though the application of laws is not universal but is open to interpretation based on the nationality, gender or opinion of another person.

This isn't a voice saying no immigrants. But what is so bad about being documented and having a system to keep track of everyone? We as citizens are forced to. Males are required to sign up for selective service at the age of 18. Everyone gets a birth-certificate unless they are born in the woods and stay there for life. A Social Security card, officially generated by the US Government, given to an official citizen and not used over and over again by someone who "doesn't exist" is just another in a long list of systems used to keep track of the people in this country.

Why is that so hard to do? Why are the rules different for anyone else? Why can't I go to another country illegally, stress the general services infrastructure and be given a pass whenever a voice is raised in opposition? It is because the other country has laws and restrictions which have to be followed.

-----edit-----

I love how I, and other people, am given thumbs down ratings when we paint a fair picture of the situation. Some of us aren't against immigration at all. We just don't want our country to be taken advantage of. Jump in head first, work your butt off but let us know about it in a formal way. The more we know about you, the more other groups such as worker's rights and child labor rights organizations can protect you, provide you better work environments and better pay. But, hey, all of you who put a thumbs down on us who actually have legitimate points about how it negatively affects the country but could have a positive resolution in the end keep burying your head in the sand. I just hope that the next time an American citizen breaks a law at your expense, you'll be lenient and allow them a pass.

geosworld

There are 2 definitions for the word Illegal;
1. Unlawful =
A : not lawful : ILLEGAL
B : not morally right or conventional
2. Illicit = not permitted : UNLAWFUL

So, using these definitions - What is morally right about creating a different government system in country that already had native inhabitants and a form of law (be it theirs?)
Doing so fits the illegal definition (see A & B), yet it happened - no one went to jail or got kicked out of the country.
As far as illicit acts - we should let God be the judge of that, as judging people is morally wrong and a bigger sin than living/working in a country of your ancestors without proper documentation or legal permission.

C Gonzalez

I think you dont understand it because you we dont know what its like to live in a country run by drug lords. We dont understand "true" poverty.

Again I ask you to look up immigration laws and see just exactly the requirements to get here legally....and then tell me how easy it is!!!

jazzyjamy2k

There is no need for understanding! We need to get these people out of here, I think that the government is supporting illegal immigrants too much and supporting its own "home grown" citizens too less, they are the one who put such a strain on our tax dollars that we are the one who will feel the burn of higher inflation (along with other governmental natural disasters).

mike s

They should get off their lay butts and get a greencard comrade dah' i think they are stupid risking their life comin' across the desert into MY state just because they are too lazy to get a greencard!!!!

hera

It is an excuse that people who are for illegal aliens like to use. Like the race card it in reality is a non issue which doesn't even answer the question "What rights do illegals have to STAY here after they have broke many of our laws to try to do so?" The truth is that they HAVE no rights.

I wonder how many terrorists have crossed our borders so they can get into the US and do harm in the USA...ONE is too many!

DMAN

The fact that most of these guys come here because they want to and they wish to. For example, remember the picture of the man who stood in front of a Chinese tank with nothing but grocery bags in his hands. How much would that he give to come to America? How much would he give just to be able to voice his opinion without persecution? How much would he give to have the right to vote?

America is the symbol for freedom. There of a lot of place that you do not want to live. You must try to understand why people want to come here. To deny these guys tarnishes what America stands for.

That's the plight of illegal immigrants.

â™¥â™¥Cheeliciousâ™¥â™¥â™¥

You are not understanding the devastating effect of abject poverty with an end to it just a few feet away, I don't expect you to get it but you asked and that is my answer. Talk to me when you can't feed your kids, whether they should have had them is redundant, should we now allow them to starve?

Antis Suck

You understand what it is but you don't understand what it is like. Knowing the definition of something does not mean you understand it good.

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