I know that illegal immigration is illegal and of course i am against it..but what if you were in their shoes?

mandibunch

My husband and I have been having this debate for YEARS. If I was in their shoes, living in Mexico, dirt poor, with babies that I want to actually have futures, I would do anything I had to get to a better life. He says that they come over and take jobs. Well, here is a little tid-bit that I bet a LOT of people don't know. There are billions of dollars contributed to OUR Social Security fund every year that are unaccounted for. This meaning that these illegal workers who will probably NEVER file taxes are contributing to OUR retirement, and working the crappy low paying jobs while they are at it. I'm not trying to be stereotypical here about dirt-poor Mexicans working at McDonalds or something like that, but lets face it, when someone illegally crosses the border, its because they couldnt afford to get all the proper documentation to cross legally, so they are poor. And when they get to America, they don't immediately start working as a CEO or something, they go to work at some low-paying place that will hire them without their documentation that they can work in the U.S. So, stereotypical, a little bit, but true, definitly. If it were as easy for them to come over and get jobs as it is to come over and get welfare, maybe that would be a start. (Before I get 20 e-mails saying that I am stereotyping about welfare, I'm NOT. I'm stating that its EASIER to get welfare than it is to get a JOB, which is true, food stamps will come faster than a paycheck.)

20JAN13 End of an Error

I'd do it legally. Apply for my visa, learn English while waiting for it to get accepted, come into America legally and proudly, and then work toward legal citizenship.

And considering how much the coyotes charge per illegal to run them into this country, it is probably cheaper. Although some illegals wouldn't have a choice (despite the higher cost of using the coyotes) if they couldn't pass the background check to get a visa.

JConly

I would have more self respect and respect for others to not find myself in their shoes.

See ya!

MsLovely's6thSense

I grew up with illegals and anchor babies in my schools and neighborhood. They really believe that they have a right to be here simply because they are here. I was a legal immigrant myself (now American citizen). My family was poor and we struggled financially but we didn't resort to criminal activities like the illegals. Being poor is not an excuse to be above the law.

I have a true story. My friend (American citizen) suffers from Multiple Sclerosis (MS). He is on Medicare Part D. He is in the "donut hole" in his plan right now and cannot pay for his MS medication (during the donut hole, copay is $455). I know an illegal alien in NYC who suffers from MS and is getting FREE medication (same brand as my friend) via Medicaid (Please note there is a big difference between Medicare and Medicaid). Since NYC is a "sanctuary" city, this illegal alien's health care is 100% covered while my friend suffers. He tried to get the same coverage as this illegal alien but he doesn't qualify. He has contacted many different organizations and agencies, as well as our Senators and Congressman with no luck. His health is deteriorating.

There are many reasons why I am against illegal immigration But my friend's situation is a real example of how our Government caters to the illegals above and beyond its own. Enough is enough.

caciansd

My shoes would be in Meeh- hee-ho

LIGER20498

Let me transfer it to more US like terms. Because my family is starving, I do not become above the law. I can not go rob a bank for money. Nor can I sneak into Canada and expect the people to bend over backwards to accomodate me. US citizens are tired of being the world's soup kitchen.

Hello

Yea, that's why this is so different from other typical criminal cases. People just don't see it that way. It is illegal, but it's tragedy and not some crazy sinister crime.

People think the problem has to do with just putting people in jail, kicking them out, but its not that simple. This is why the problem haven't gone away after so many years. Nobody tried to solve this problem. They just spent years putting people in jails and deporting them.

People will never see it differently because the US has been always that 1 country people want to live in. People here just don't see the other point of view.

I can tell you there are people who do lot of work to help poor people, but if those poor people are labeled 'illegal' they see them like some murderer.

Nicholesta

If I couldn't legally enter the country (and I would try), I would probably do the same thing they do. I don't blame them a bit but I still donâ€™t want them here. I admit that what the illegal immigrants are doing is logical and justified from their point of view. Itâ€™s not even illegal in their country so they are not breaking the laws of a country they respect, but it is still very bad for us. They are damaging our public services and our economy. Yes I have heard the arguments that they are filling a need for cheap labor but that hurts the un-employed Americans who cannot legally seek the jobs the immigrants take. Those unemployed citizens can't contribute to the economy and the immigrants contribute as little as possible, they often send their earnings home to needy family, which doesn't help us at all. Since much of US business is service industry, we are our own best customer so if we don't have jobs to make money we can't spend it on service which makes the service industry seek cheaper labor which un-employs more Americans. The illegal immigrants are NOT a benefit to our economy.
I don't blame them but that doesn't mean I support them. I don't blame a hungry dog for knocking over my trash can but I still wish it wouldnâ€™t.

chiquis707

There's a big difference between being 'so called forced' to enter a country illegally and go there obeying the laws, staying under the radar, not breaking the laws, and sneaking in to that same country demanding rights, driving illegally, and acting like you own the place and claiming it as your own.

USMCgrlandMommy

I would not be able to live with the fact that i was doing something illegal. I would not be able to support my family they way they should be. I would be afraid and scared to be deported constantly. Is that a way to live? And never mind the adults. What moron wants that kind of life for their child???

No matter how long it took me I would do it legally, like my mother did. I could not achieve the truth freedom and dreams as an American unless i did it that way. Those that cheat and lie and come here illegally are wrong and even more cruel for bringing children into a situation like that! My mom came here LEGALLY and there is no excuse not to do the same!

lonewolf1

If I had the same parents, they would have shown me respect, and the difference between right and wrong, and the ability to make the right choices, and apply legally,,,,,but the ones in real life, are nothing but takers and abusers,,,,,

Daria: She's dead now, OK?!

I would do it the legal way like my parents did.

jlhpisces

I think I would give more thought to how I could help improve my own country instead of going illegally to a country where I was reviled by many. Surely even a poor economy could be improved this way...it's a tough question.

Troy M

Let's just say I was in their shoes, and I don't know, for instance a Mexican, I would protest the Mexican government as opposed to the US government for starters. I would also question where all of that money is going that the Mexican government could use to supply its people with jobs.

Lastly, I would praise the Communist founded ACLU for using flash lights to tip us off about border partol movement in my area, and also thank them, Traitor George, and Ted The Murderer Kennedy for making it possible to invade the United States.

tuxey

if i were poor, and had kids and wanted them to have a better life.....gee, been there, did that. i worked my butt off. i scrimped and did without a lot of things most people feel are necessary. however, before i'd give a fortune to some smuggler, some coyote, to smuggle me and my family over the border, illegally, i'd use that money to make the proper applications. if they have the money to pay the coyotes, then they aren't in that bad shape.
they can afford to play by the rules, and do the right thing. there is no excuse, short of fleeing guns and bombs (which weren't precipitated by yourself) for sneaking in illegally and squatting. it's just wrong, and it's not in anyone's best interests to do it.

Mister J

If I was in there shoes, I would follow the legal process for entering the country. There is one, you know.

Vaughn

I would go where the work was, no matter what the risk. But a lot of people--even people who would cheat on their taxes, which is another crime--can't admit that they might do the same.

stung4ever

If you were able to steal a billion dollars with no chance of being caught, would you do it?

Just because it's the choice most would make doesn't make it right.

economic_anarchist

go to where the life is better. seek out every avenue to do it in, weigh every option, and make a decision and the execute it.

DANIEL P R

I believe there are many different cases. If they have tried to live otherwise "legally" to the best of their ability...maybe we should cut them some slack. Especially if their family is established here for many years.

But if they have been in and out of prison since they came, we need to just deport them. Actually, they should check every person leaving prisons immigration status and deport those here illegally.

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