Illegal aliens= criminals?

La Gueta Micaela

No they were not criminals but.......

"Today's immigrants are not so different from those who came to America from Europe a century ago. The fact that the earlier wave came legally (there was no way to come illegally until the early 20th century, when Congress first took steps to limit immigration) didn't make them any more welcome at the time. Then, as now, the fear was that immigrants from Ireland or Italy, wouldn't assimilate. And, of course, eventually they did.
Then, as now, racism and nativism were intrinsic parts of the discussion."

C = JD

1. Illegal aliens are not criminals in the sense that they directly harm others, but they DO violate the law. Hence, "illegal."

2. Those who founded America came here at a time where there was no immigration law to break. To claim that simply arriving to America was "illegal" is absurd.

joevette

I am not at all sure the native Americans had an immigration policy. If they did what was it. That information is critical in answering this question.

Rum_Punch_Girlie

Actually, the whole state of Georgia was founded by people from a debtors prison, so yes!.
Also, there are now immigration laws in place in a recognized sovereign nation, much different than when settlers first arrived. Whether it was wrong to take the native's land is of no consequence now We have made a country, and have laws, and if you break those laws, youa re a criminal. Illegal aliens in Mexico and other countries are treated as criminals, so why arent they criminals in the US?

bildymooner

NO it was founded by LEGAL IMMIGRANTS. Please stop being childish.

Michael

No you are wrong. There were no laws on immigration at the time the United States was being settled so there were no illegal immigrants.

gokart121

Yeah, I've read that approach before, too. No sale.

Yukaza

Any one with a working brain knows this nation didn't become the US until 1776.Since there were no laws against immigration at that time they COULD NOT HAVE BEEN ILLEGAL.The Indians were made up of hundreds of different tribes and each spoke their own languages,there was no central government in this area.
You definitely need to read a real honest to God history book.
Under Section 1325(a) of Title 8 of the United States Code, â€œany alien who enters or attempts to enter the United States at any time or place other than as designated by immigration officers, or eludes examination or inspection by immigration officers, or attempts to enter or obtains entry to the United States by a willfully false or misleading representation or the willful concealment of a material factâ€ is guilty of a misdemeanor for the first offense and a felony for each subsequent offense.

xenypoo

Illegals are criminals. What does illegal mean? Do you need a dictionary? We Americans have a LAW that was broken by foreigners entering our country. They are criminals!
No, this country was not founded by criminals. England, and Spain began building up this land, and England sent over some of their people from jails, and from mental facilities, at a much later date in history. Germans poured in, FREE people from all nations came.
Anyone who had been considered a "criminal" paid a debt by becoming indentured servant's for at least 7 years, to earn they're freedom.
Many people sold themselves into indentured services to start fresh in a new Nation.
They suffered, fought, and died to make this great land what it is today. All of them did.
Ask an illegal alien if they will fight and die for this countries freedom, for others who come later. What do you think they will say?
Ill bet my last dime, they'd say no. They have come to take, not to give, not to share, not to love America for it's generosity, and care for the tired, poor, huddled masses. They have not come here to be an American, they do not wave an American flag, they wave their countries flag above ours, if they even wave an American flag period!
They need to fix their own country, PERIOD!

TheOnlyBeldin

Yes to your first question.

No to your second.

Next!

VWJennifer

Holy Mother of God, please get it through your skulls that this argument holds NO merit!
All the pro-illegals need to get together and decide on a new tact.

wilhelmenawiem

The key word here is "illegal" not aliens. Those who never gave it a second thought about entering the country legally, have basically committed a crime in this country. I don't think that anyone, or most people anyway would point a finger at an immigrant who entered this country through the system.

chicago_paratrooper

Yeah we're all criminals. You've gotta be the greatest detective since Nancy Drew.

joeandhisguitar

Quote the law and when this law was established please. I believe that at best there were rituals and customs that were followed not any concrete laws that established rules for a government.

Red_F

No, they were not criminals because there was no laws on immigration at the time.

It is currently not legal to enter most countries unless you obtain a visa or other legal entry method. To not have immigration rules/laws would result in utter chaos and the country would fall apart in no time.

While I am against illegal immigrants, I am actually for relaxed immigration policies from friendly countries. I am also for the "guest worker" program to allow immigrants to come here legally for work.

Anyone that would still enter illegally after that should be jailed as they are most likely running drugs or some other illegal activity.

smm

um. well, the country was founded by immigrants, not illegal immigrants who broke national laws, so in that case no.

However, i was also founded by people who were indetered here from other countries for various crimes, so yes.

clmurphyjr2002

The key word is illegal. Wanting to come to this great country is fine. Just do it the right way. Starting your life here with an illegal act is getting off on the wrong foot.

European expansion in the past centuries and the current migration to the U.S. is like comparing apples to oranges. Two plus centuries of law making and public opion negate the idea that original colonists were "illegal aliens".

I was born here. I'm legal. The fact that my ancestors came here without citizinship and pushed aside "true natives" does not apply to today's reality that entering our country illegally is not acceptable.

Princess_29_71

You need to grow up. Illegals are criminals but this country wasn't founded by criminals. Try something else. This "logic" of yours won't wash.

Chasity

Too funny, I like the pun you added nice touch!! Illegal is illegal for a reason but I dont consider them criminals expecially when part of this country used to belong to them!

steve c

O.K, but it is over with now and we won so go to he##.

george p

yes

Blue Steel & Lace

If you want to talk about illegal immigration, check out some Mexican history.

Hmmm... let's start with Cortes. Not exactly in Mexico legally, was he? Not exactly concerned with the locals either, as I recall.

GrÃ¡

Sure. So??

The law that should be followed - agree or not, is the law as it is written today. Not something that criminals lived by hundreds of years ago.

I'm completely conflicted on this issue - not real clear on which side I stand. However, I firmly believe the law is the law and our country's foundation is rocked if we don't follow it. If it needs to change, great - work to do that. If not, respect it as it is today.

Great question!

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