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Handing a legal victory to groups pushing back against illegal immigration, the Supreme Court today upheld an Arizona law that punishes businesses in the state for hiring workers who are in the country illegally.
Federal law against illegal immigration says the states cannot penalize businesses that hire illegal workers "except through licensing."
So in 2007, Arizona passed a controversial law -- signed by then-Gov. Janet Napolitano -- that allows the state to take away the business licenses of employers that intentionally hire illegal workers. Led by the US Chamber of Commerce, several business and civil rights groups challenged the law, saying enforcement of the immigation laws is for the federal government.
The Obama administration also sued Arizona over the law. Congress, the groups said, never meant to give the states such latitude over virtually any license to do business.
But today by a 5-3 vote (with Justice Elena Kagan siting this one out), the Supreme Court upheld the Arizona law.
The state is simply imposing the punishments the federal law allows, the court said. In addition, the court pointed out, before a business can lose its license, it must intentionally and repeatedly hire illegal workers.
"Congress did not intend to preserve only state state laws that have no effect" on illegal immigration, said Chief Justice John Roberts, who wrote today's opinion.
Today's ruling is a green light for other states considering laws that punish employers for hiring illegal workers. Nine states have already done so.
The court has yet to take up the far more controversial Arizona law that requires police to round up anyone they think is in the state illegally. And this ruling does not foreshadow how the Supreme Court will rule on that one, because Congress specifically opened the door to the kind of state regulation upheld today.
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COMMENT: Pius Emeka Nebo "yes pull them upon first violation. but what do you do with those already in the country illegally. you see, that's the problem.
my solution, we absolve them. what's yours?"
Same deal with the ones here. Why do they get a break from a law that already exists? That is, you should not be working here illegally. What is the problem with holding people that have broken the law accountable? Just because a law that is specific to businesses comes into affect, why should individuals be allowed to be forgiven? If a law at the state level hits illegals, there is already a federal law (enforced or not) in effect. Nothing should really change....except the fact that the respective state(s) are doing what we know the feds aren't.
No, I don't see an argument for absolving all "old" illegals.
GIDDIE UP!!!
WE need to get involved... show them who their bosses are and that WE are in charge... We have the power if we can get off our A$$es and GET INVOLVED.
THERE is NO BETTER time then now with elections coming up!!
:)
Wed need to do one of two things.
Immediately deport every illegal we find ( after prosecution and incarceration for any crime they committed ).
OR
GRANT CITIZENSHIP AT THE BORDER.
People could present themselves at the border and, if they could pass the test given for citizenship now and could prove they had a clean criminal record they could revoke citizenship in their country of origin and become citizens of the U.S.A.
No more illegal problem.
But that is the reason the Republicans half - heartedly call for enforcement of the law as it is.
They want the illegals to remain illegal.
Because illegal workers can be made to work for less and in unsafe conditions. They can be told to come in Saturday off the clock etc. etc. etc.
If they were citizens the wage and hour laws and work place safety laws would apply to them and they could call the authorities if an employer cheated them on their pay or violated wage and hour or workplace safety laws.
CAN'T HAVE THAT.
Employment for illegals would dry up faster than a puddle in Aridzona on July 11.
The only reason people want illegals is to make more money by bypassing wage and hour laws and workplace safety laws.
If they weren't illegal employers wouldn't want them.
Grant citizenship at the border. Is this some kind of a sick joke?
I agree with Bill, you can't just grant citizenship at the border. There are processes involved that require time and effort. What about all the other people (southern border, northern border, overseas, etc) that are waiting for admittance by going through the proper channels? You just going to reward the attempted law-breakers before the law-abiders?
Geoff ... no those in the pipeline who have done the right thing go to the head of the line and get processed first. The same thing goes for all borders north and south and ports.
That's why I suggest it. It shows the hypocracy of those who beat the drums to let illegals have a " path to citizenshp ". They would never come to the end of that path. Part of the path always includes having an employer sponsor. Employers would terminate their illegals and send them back before they got citizenship.
Republicans DON'T REALLY WANT to solve the illegal problem. To them it isn't a problem = it's a money maker.
Democrats don't want to solve the problem because they think because immigrants are poor they will vote Democrat. More votes are not a problem to them.
I didn't say there were no complications or problems with the concept of granting citizenship at the border.
It's a concept. A radical proposition intended to show that neither political party is dealy honestly with the situation.
Sherifff Babeau is correct. Our porous borders ( both north and south -- north is actually worse ) are our biggest security problem.
They have caught over 600 people from the Middle East illegally entering the country via our southern border this year alone. Since we only catch maybe 1 in 10 illegals coming across how many Middle East terrorists have come into the country to form cells and do damage?
We put our army on the borders of Iraq and Afghanistan but refuse to protect our own.
The republicans won't enforce this law. This is just brownie points for the voters. Every knows that cheap labor is king for businessmen.
I hope more states follow up with this law and incorporate it. We need to round up all the criminal illegal aliens along with their anchor babies and send them back to their homeland. It doesn't matter where they came from send them home and secure the border.
Reform has to start somewhere. I'm glad to see that the Supreme court agrees in a fundimental law of illegals not being able to work or be exploited in American buisnesses. Maybe some attention to other issues will begin.
This law is going to do nothing to get rid of the drug pushers and self employed rats that have already set up shop in our cities and towns. Until the American people start tracking them down and turning them in we are going to continue to have more illegal's entering the USA everyday. This lack of unity is destroying our way of life. Pushing illegal's from one State to another is doing nothing. What happened to the law in AZ that makes it illegal to rent to illegals? When are we all going to stand up and stop Anchor Babies? If we don't do something now there may be a day when our President was born here but raised in another country. Being born here of illegal aliens should not make you an American!
Confussed: We can't get rid of anchor babies or anyone else here illegally because of a four letter word. VOTE! There are now millions of LEGAL naturalized voting hispanics and they get pissed off if anyone messes with their illegal cousins. That particular politician cannot get elected in a growing number of states, and the President can't afford to do anything about it either because a few million votes can swing a victory. Sad story, but it's the truth.
Secure the Border, Job 1. Purge the Interior Job 2., Quit making up Lame A$$ Excuses why it can't be accomplished, Job 3., Our Very Sovereignty is at stake, Immigration is Okay if done Legally. This Illegal Alien Stuff needs to Stop, it is a Criminal Act Against this Nation.
This is the best decision the Supreme Court has ruled on in 50 years!!! Finally, a positive note on enforcing our immigration laws. Finally, a red letter day. Maybe now these illegals will go back where they came from and we can stop supporting them and these companies that hire them will think twice. And, Congratulations Arizona!!! Hopefully, this will be the first of many Supreme Court victories for you and I wish you many, many more. I'd bet Holder is crying in his beer today. For those who think the Feds (you know, the guys that don't do anything about the illegals but want to stop the folks that do), got their toes stepped on: they didn't. If they had the Supremes wouldn't have voted they way they did. I tip my hat off to the Court today. They ruled on a beautiful decision today and made it a law. This is a great, great day for Americans. We've waited a long, long time. Hoooray!!!
1. An American citizen (legal), married, and 2 kids who made $30,000 in 2010 owes no Federal Income tax.
Tax Refund: +$5,629 (I have the 2010 tax return as proof)
2. An illegal alien, married, 2 kids makes the same $30,000 still pays no Federal Income tax and get's NO refund.
However, they still pay the same:
Propery Taxes (through Rents)
Sales Taxes (up to 10%+)
Utility Taxes
Cell Phone Taxes
Fuel Taxes & Road Tolls
3. Local services (schools, emergency, roads, etc) are primarily paid through the above taxes, NOT Federal Income taxes.
By taking "undocumented workers" jobs away, preventing them from working, or kicking them out of the country, those taxes don't get paid.
That leads to a gap in revenue which would need to be filled by US citizens (by raising taxes).
This is assuming a legal immigrant will never pay Federal taxes like the illegal. Yes, most everyone pays other taxes, however, you ignore the burden that additional, illegal, person and his/her family place on the system. Our immigration system allows for controlled immigration into this country. The system is currently overburdened because of the unregulated influx of illegals and the children they have. By taking those jobs away and kicking them out of the country there is less need for those services because there are less people using them and abusing them.
Ana - By creating less need for those services also leads to deflation and additional job loss. Additional job losses equals more empty houses in foreclosure and lower property tax revenue from lower housing prices. Lower property taxes equal less money for services, causing more jobs lost. Can you see the spiral downward in what you are suggesting?
If I don’t take into account the trend in the last 2 decades (maybe more) years or so of downsizing and off-shoring jobs, yes, I can. I have not seen a significant trend toward expanding staffing to accommodate the uncontrolled influx of illegal immigrants and subsequent job availability. What I am seeing is a trend toward smaller staff regardless of need, overburdened employees, the highest unemployment figures I can recall in my lifetime and the never ending wave of illegal immigrants adding to that. I’m seeing vital services being cut across the board in every state because we simply do not have the funds for them. Please know I am not being snarky or anything, I can see what you’re saying but that’s not how it’s actually working out.
Ana - The reason that it's not "actually working out" yet, is because we haven't seen the full effect that these laws will have. However, we CAN see signs.
All you have to do is look at the Arizona/Las Vegas Real Estate market to see how it's working out. While there other forces at work, a big contributing factor is illegal immigrants leaving the state. We already have an overabundance of housing and the economy is tanking because of it. Housing is a function of population growth. When there is a decline in population, empty houses and jobs will follow (Detroit?).
The housing market problem in Arizona isn't due to illegals leaving.
Very few illegals buy $200,000 houses.
Most rent apartments or homes.
So if you want to talk rental markets that would be different.
But the housing market with the foreclosures has virtually NOTHING to do with illegals. Except they may camp in a vacant home and use it for a drop house.
It's just a slap in the face to all of our relatives that used every dime to their name to come across the pond to this country and register LEAGALLY. Even in the 50's they came and then you needed a US SPONSER to come to the USA. People worked hard and LEARNED the NATIONAL LANGUAGE - It's ENGLISH in case you forgot.
HOW dare any of these people (not just the people from Mexico) demand that we change our language or force us to learn theirs! Our relatives LEARNED ENGLISH and were PROUD to contribute to the growth of this country and would NEVER take free benefits and free food because they were so PROUD and knew what it was like to work hard and join the melting pot of cultures.
Now there are areas in this country where children live and grow to ADULTS and NEVER learn or SPEAK English??!?!? How can this BE?????
Because everyone is "afraid to make waves" Gotta be P.C.!!!! Don't say anything... Shhhhhh!
Guess what???! This country is hemorrhaging $$ like our juggler was wide open and we are falling behind... so what to do??
Let's keep giving it away... There are 100's of Thousands of hard working AMERICANS out of work because GREEDY companies that used the 700 BILLION in stimulus (Yes OUR money) to buy other companies and CLEAN house. No the average worker is doing his work PLUS the work of the 3 other people who got "right sized" so the company can build up its "BOTTOM LINE" and keep the share holders and board happy. Sorry you were there 30years? See ya! Good luck finding a job! J
Not sure who saw it at the Academy awards... one dude when he picked up his statue said "I just want to mention that not ONE financial CEO or board member or ANYONE from the banking industry has been indicted or prosecution for the FINANCIAL Crisis that they created and that is just wrong!"
BRAVO!!!
Why? Because all of the clowns on Wall Street and in Washington went to school together and have each other’s backs... and guess who's paying for it all??? HELLO!
But you know what... WE THE PEOPLE have the power... We really do. We control who is elected and who isn't...
Ahhh election year... ummmm hmmmm time to get involved! It all starts on the local level… When that local politician comes to your door, don't hide inside, do what I do, ask them, what's your platform? What are you going to do to help me?!?
You'd be surprised how many of them looked at me and said what? LOL Why? Because they KNOW it's usually a cake walk to get into office because the only people voting for them are the "special interest groups" that have an agenda they want pushed though...
Like changing the zoning laws so they can build their huge 5-10 family houses that are "subsidized" which means we are paying the bulk of their rent/mortgage and PS. (don't look inside these houses... TOP rate fixtures, furniture, appliances, all while collecting welfare because their average income is listed at $17k a year?!?!?)
Hmmmm or maybe they need to get connected to the NYC aqueduct so they will have Unlimited access to NYC’s drinking water and can grow bigger and suck up more resources and then demand that the towns provide them MORE free (because they don’t pay taxes) sewer treatment plants and roads so they can expand expand expand and take everything over. A 5 or 10,000 head BLOCK vote wins a LOT of elections my friends and there are PLENTY of stuffed shirt politicians lining up, that would be happy to screw us all over to advance their "political careers".
The bottom line is this isn't about RACE or RELIGION at all, as you know some people LOVE to pull out that card to misdirect the limelight shining on them. That’s right you know who you are! J
It's simply about GREED and what's RIGHT and what's WRONG. And WE THE PEOPLE have the power... I see it in all these posts... AMERICAN's are TIRED of always footing the bill and getting crumbs in return...
But I digress...
God Bless us all and God Bless AMERICA
Yes we the people have the power.
But the average American IQ is only 100. That means half the voters have an IQ below 100. And kids who study and get good grades are ostracized and picked on.
However, if you can carry a football or throw it or dunk a basketball you will have praise and money heaped upon you.
Americans are too busy cheering for their favorite sports teams / idols to give a dman ( misspelled to evade the censor ).
The American people are, in one word, STUPID.
We allow our elected officials in Congress to go on junkets and vacations paid for by various corporations --- and expect them to represent US.
We allow our elected officials in Congress to collect " campaign contributions " from corporations --- and expect them to represent US.
HOW STUPID CAN WE BE?
Stupid enough they've been doing it for years and will keep on doing it because we won't do anything to stop it.
I'm a Democrat sympathizer, however I'm not a sympathizer of illegal immigration. The only way to stop illegal immigration is strict enforcement of laws against hiring illegals, which neither parties are willing to do because of business influence, at our expense. The illegals must not enjoy the same privileges as citizens, it doesn't make sense. They have no right to demand the "American dream", when most of us cannot even fulfill that dream ourselves. They should be demanding their respective country's own dream, not ours. They cannot create a mess in their own country, abandon it, then bring their problems here for us to suffer.
Right on!!! And take their crime with them too while they are at it (like their gangs). Hospitals here in the US, for one, will be so glad not to have to foot the bill for them and we, as legal taxpaying citizens, won't get their expenses passed on to us the next time we have to go to the hospital and other functions as well. Well said. Hope they start heading back soon and the employers that hire them head to prison. That should stop the problem.
If the illegal folks can not find jobs, or get free health care, or food stamps, or an education, or drivers licenses, etc... maybe they will go home.. seems simple to me....
It is not the job of the USA to be a welfare state for illegals.. sorry.. we have money problem now just trying to take care of our own
and for you business owners, there is nothing stopping you from requiring PROOF of status before hiring somebody... just make sure you document the documents...
Guest worker program - wonderful,, but lets NOT make it easy for people to come here Illegally
remember if you stop feeding the stray cat, after while it will leave...
This legislation was written by a private company that builds and runs prisons. They approached politicians, wined and dined them for support (supported their campaigns too), and then wrote the actual legislation. Whatever your view of immigration is, you have to admit, that stinks. This country is run by corporations and they don't care about people. Remember that next time you vote.
So what your saying is they expect more to go to prison? And what company?
Corrections Corporation of America. I'll try to post a link to the article, if msnbc lets me:
Hundreds of thousands of immigrants stand to be sent to prison, even temporarily, before deportation, would mean big bucks for this company.
They wouldn't let me post it, so just google it.
So what your saying is we should allow people to hire illegal immigrants who are breaking our laws ( even during war time)? Who's paying you off?
If we absolve people who break our laws, and even have the nerve to protest the "RIGHT" to break our laws, then we are giving the green light to the breakdown of everything this country stands for. That is exactly why these people are running away from Mexico, because there is no more respect, for or trust in the Law in that country. If we allow the same people that have destroyed that country through their belief that freedom means "I'll do whatever I please" we will end up being another Mexico in ten years.
America has had programs available for aliens to enter the U.S. to do work for years now. That is not the problem. The problem are the ones who come here to stay after violating our immigration laws. Laws that are designed to allow more than a million aliens a year to enter legally and become citizens. We DO NOT have any laws that prevent immigration, period. Millions have waited for years to come here legally and enhance our society with their presence. However, our country can not take the illegal entry of those that don't even care about our laws.
The excuse that Americans will not do the work illegals are willing to do is pure nonsense. I personally cut lawns, washed dishes, and even picked cotton when I was young and uneducated. That's what young American citizens do (or use to).
This is not a political party argument or issue, it's an American issue. We either respect our laws and the immigrates who spent years to come here legally, or we say 'screw our laws and those that came here legally'. I'm not ready to do that.
Arizona has had a very unique situation as compared to other states in that it is a main highway for illegal drugs as well as illegal immigration into the rest of America. And, Arizona needs to take unique actions to stop it, without interference from our federal government or parades of illegals at the door steps of our capital.
What those that support illegal immigration and amnesty for those that are already here don't understand is that we are tired of their antics and disregard for our laws. We are going to stop it and we are going to get rid of our garbage.
America's immigration programs are full of red tape and take YEARS to work. Sure, if you are educated and have a degree, you can get in within 2-3 years. For an uneducated farm worker from Guatemala, it takes an average of FOURTEEN YEARS to emigrate. When you were young, the world was different. Most youth today have been brought up with entitlement mentality and would never "stoop" to doing the dirty jobs.
While I am sympathetic to the drugs being brought across the border, that's not a immigration issue, but one of demand. Personally, I support the legalized sale and distribution of drugs by the state to create competition to the drug lords. If the state were selling drugs, the profits could then be used to pay for the treatment. Right now, all the profits are going drug lords, and we pay for treatment out of tax payer dollars.
Not if the Arizona Republic and the tv and radio stations in Arizona have anything to say about it.
They do their best every day to convince people illegals are wonderful.
Peoples ignorant comments are too funny… The majority of people who are hired illegally don’t fall under the punishment for breaking the law. Most of the illegal’s who find work here have fake documents and the law reads; any business who intentionally hires illegal’s will have their licenses taken away. Well hello if business is given fake doc’s, then it’s not intentional on their part. It fall on the employee… LOL it’s amazing how DUMB people really are, get a job and stop worrying about those who are trying to make a better life for themselves, because illegal’s are getting bottom of the totem pole of jobs. You as Americans should have an education and get a real professional job… LOSERS!!!
miamidaq -- surprisingly some companies have been found to be knowingly hiring illegals. Their foremen teach illegals where to get fake documents and assisted them in obtaining the necessary forged id's.
Just because people own a business doesn't make them smart.
While I've not read the opinion to know fully the reasoning behind the SCOTUS' decision, at first blush I have to say that I agree with it. If the quote from Chief Justice Roberts about it being the Court's belief that Congress had not intended on not allowing states to enforce their own licensing laws is one of the primary motivations behind the opinion, it would seem that this is one of those very rare instances that partisanship does not rule the day. This is in sharp contrast to the fairly bizarre decision handed-down in Citizens United v. U.S.. Let us hope that the remainder of the Court's docket this year will be populated with similar, non-partisan, well-reasoned decisions.
One fairly consistent theme I have noticed running through a majority of the comments thus far is the strong sense of frustration over the lack of enforcement at the federal level. As well as the seeming unwillingness to address the larger issue of our current immigration process, guest worker visas, and the dearth of illegal immigrants already residing in the U.S. In all honesty, the solution seems to be one that while extremely complex in the details, is relatively simple when concerning ourselves with the "broad strokes" of a workable, reasonable, and affordable immigration reform plan. Yet the primary roadblocks to passage of any type of reform is the rejection of nationwide use of E-Verify (which would require some sort of national-level employment identification card/system), and the offering of some sort of "path to citizenship" for those illegals already in the country.
E-Verify seems to be the biggest no-brainer in this entire mess. The U.S. already has a national identification program called Social Security. Every person hired in the U.S. is required to have a Social Security number. Taking that entire system one step further, making it a tamper-proof biometric card would not only reduce the amount of Social Security Card fraud that goes on in this country, but would also give employers and employees alike a one-step, verifiable way of establishing a person's REAL identity. And employers would be required to participate in E-Verify. Period. If they do not, they lose their license to do business. Period.
The issue of those illegals presently in the U.S. is one that should also be a no-brainer. We are not going to catch and deport every single illegal immigrant. We're simply not going to. It's not physically or fiscally possible. The members of Congress need to admit that fact to themselves (and to their constituents), and devise a way for those in the country illegally to either become part of a guest-worker program (which would not allow them to remain in the country indefinitely), be put on a "pathway" to citizenship (which would include background/criminal history checks, paying a fine, and entering the same process every legal immigrant has to endure), or leave. If an illegal is caught and is not part of one of the two above mentioned options, they would be deported and not allowed to return, under any circumstances.
While I do agree with the SCOTUS decision in this instance, I also believe that we need a federal policy regarding employee identification. Otherwise, we are bound to find ourselves with each state having their own "take" on the issue. And the idea of being able to pull-up stakes and move to another state to start another chapter in our lives will be much, MUCH more difficult.
I agree with E-verify, but I would also eliminate one other draw, and that is the ability of a new born to automatically become an American citizen (anchor baby). Why in creation would we continue such a policy when NO other country in the world does ? Whatever immigrants wanted to come here legally could be background checked, and then identified through E-verify identity cards.
We need to stop this ignorant policy. There are literally hundreds of millions of poor to the South of our borders. Just when do you say enough is enough ? Apparently for some...."Never", just keep letting them come, and we'll continue supplying citizenship to their kids, along with health, education benefits and subsidized legal advice. It is simply not sustainable, and I believe there are as many Democrats as Republicans who are getting sick of being taken for suckers. Perhaps some common sense is beginning to take hold.
The Court decision is final! Enough said here America.
We should all be thankful that the Court has taken a stand in favor of the hard working, native born citizens. It does not require some high minded legal education to conclude that there is indeed a "quiet invasion" of our country taking place, by millions of unlawful people from Mexico. We should further recognize that the Constitution clearly authorizes each sovereign State to protect itself from such invasion.
We are faced with millions of unemployed, a multitude being put from their homes through foreclosure, and countless millions more who are being devastated by flood, tornadoes, and oil spill. Each of us is being robbed by the high price of gasoline, and almost 6000 of our finest young people are dead because of war.
It is good to know the Supreme Court has taken such a firm stand on behalf of America. Let us proceed to deal with the issue of unlawful immigrants in the most humane manner possible.
I previously told RationalOne that illegals were eligible for stuff I didn't even know about. He challenged me to name some. Thank goodness this article is still on the net, or I would have to raid my old computer.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25727901/ns/us_news-life/t/illegal-immigrants-spurn-needed-benefits/
This isn't everything either. Some states have federally subsidized programs that funnel [I'm being nice] money to programs that attract illegals. Go ahead readers, and take a couple hours and check it out.
I read the article, but I've seen nothing in there that disputes what I've said. In fact, it states that illegal immigrants DO pay social security and that, “Social Security is about to go broke, but thanks to the illegal aliens, there’s presently $345 billion in the Social Security fund, which is helping to keep it afloat.”
Second, my point has always been what services are the INELIGIBLE for? They PAY for those services through TAXES. They pay Sales Tax, Property Tax (through rents), Utility Taxes, Phone Taxes, Fuel Taxes & Tolls, etc. Are you saying that we should deny people the services they pay for?
Well, Rational, I can see that you continue missing my point. In this case, two points. No. 1, many programs service more illegals than legals, giving the sense that they are created for them. By politicians who want to get reelected of course. No. 2, you really have to be easily gullible to believe that these people pay enough in "local" taxes to sustain the outtake the govt. delves to them. I'll never convince you, so I'll stop trying. But i will say this, it,s rare that illegals pay anything ti soc.sec. They eventually get caught, but you knew that already didn't you.
Rational I see you are not really that rational. A good number of these illegal immigrants get paid under the table in cash in a lot of situations so no they do not pay into SS. They send a large portion of what they make here back to their home countries so no they are not spending that much to contribute greatly to sales taxes. They also live several people to a household so yes they may be paying personal property through rent but it is very little. Try going to an emergency room in So Cal. and you will see they are using a lot of medical services they cannot pay for. Obviously you are just regurgitating talking points that are not reality based.
ksw: Golly, I thought no one would ever come to my aid. Rational says they pay soc. sec. The truth is, they [illegals] steal or borrow ssa cards or numbers sometimes and ultimately if they stick with the same employer they will be found out. Some employers hold out ss tax and never intend to send it in, the just skim it and pocket it. They know they won't get caught. Also, where did that story come from about illegals going back to Mexico after about 15 or 20 years and applying for and receiving ss benefits? The SS Admin. keeps good enough records that will prevent that, or if they don't something needs overhauled. I'm not against guest workers going back south and drawing a check. They worked for it legally, give it to them. Bottom line: If an illegal is paying ss it's on a bad card and his employer is probably keeping the money anyway. Case closed.
Don't let anyone fool you, illegals get all sorts of state and federal financial assitance. Obama's aunt who was in the US illegally for over 6 years after a deportation order was living in public housing in Boston.
I always get a chuckle out of the bad information provided by whose who post comments. Both side of this debate go to such extremes that they make the same errors. One issue is how much labor would cost if farmers would have to pay wages to legal workers. According to economists, produce cost would rise between 1 to 1.5 cents per pound. One the other side of the argument, it is costly for the federal government to enforce immigration laws. Without the involvement of local law enforcement, it is impossible. I am happy when the supreme court finally rules since it puts baseless arguments to rest.
I'm a black Texan and, my God, I thank the Supreme Court for this decision. Thank you!! There was beginning to be no hope to wrestle control of our country from the hands of these far-left, extreme liberals and the business community that practice hiring ILLEGAL ALIENS over our own U.S. citizens.
This crap about "they do the jobs Americans won't do," that may be the case for farming but that's certainly not the case for high-end jobs like fast-food chains, Wal-Mart and Construction jobs. These illegals are taking even those jobs too!!
With the Supreme Court decision, I think it's time we hold Obama's feet to the fire to demand mandatory use of E-Verify and Secure Community. Bring back work-place raid and get back in the business of MASS DEPORTATION. Cost, be damned! Our country is at stake. Illegal alien Mexicans are the Mexican's government responsibility. I feel what going on there but we have our own U.S. citizens to care about than a bunch of illegal aliens that doesn't respect America; her laws, her culture, her heritage and rather come here for the sole purpose of welfare and benefit and this "give me, give, give me" mentality.
Our wealth, service and welfare are for U.S. citizens, not illegal alien Mexicans.....and I don't care if I'm not being politically correct by singling out the Mexican only. The Guatamalians, Hondurus and El Salvadorian ---- they all look the same to us. They all in the same region and they all speak that same gutter language: spanish.
We don't want your culture on U.S. soil. We don't want to see your worthless flag flying in the U.S. We don't want your crime, your diseases, your drug or anything else. We want you to be brave enough to GO BACK TO YOUR COUNTRY and confront the Mexican government on its' duties to its' nationals. It is not the U.S. responsibility to take care of you, especially when you show us the attitude you do. You worn out your welcome and this law is just a start of what we're about to do to kick your a** out of our country for good!!!
Malik:
Wow! That is exactly how I feel and many many Americans do also! These people who have such bleeding hearts are contrubuting to the down fall of America! We need to stop worrying about being politically correct, the truth hurts sometimes. Are they politically correct by flying there flag in OUR country? NO! I'm with you, Americans should be up in arms, kicking and screaming pissed off about what is happening with our country! Man you gave me hope we are really going to get this done!!! Thanks!
Malik couldn't agree with you more about illegal aliens staying in their own countries and fixing their own problems rathr than running to ours and re-creating here the almost systemic problems found in their home countries.
I also believe, and am not saying you do not, that it absolutely important that America keeps its doors open to legal immigrants. I have seven young friends - all around 25 - who have come from Bangladesh having won the green card lottery there, and one from The Gambia - a horrible, dictatorship in West Africa - who is seeking political asylum in the U. S.
"My boys" (I'm in my 50's) as I fondly refer to them, will all - God willing - becomes American citizens. To that end they are all working hard on their mastery of English (I am to them what Professor Higgins was to Eliza Doolittle) not a word escapes their lips without being critiqued! They are also attending college and studying to acquire skills that will enable them rise higher in society and to help build America.
This is a far cry from those who run to America because they are afraid to make Mexico, or whatever horrible South of the Border country they are fleeing, face up to its responsibilities and change for the better.
America is what America is because our founding fathers put their lives on the line and also laid down their lives for freedom. They took a stand they didn't say, "Well, it's "too hard" to bother to face up to the British and kick them the hell out." - and run away. Countless Americans have given up their lives to create the unique and powerful alchemy of freedom and individuality that is America, and which now those who want to jump on the band wagon without paying the price of admission feel they should have a divine right.
If we were to truly block the border so we stopped acting as Mexico pressure release valve - which of course they encourage - the Mexican government would soon be in a position where it would be forced to change because its own people would not put up with its corrupt nature.
Unfortunately, we have a President now who is more interested in creating a new Democrat voting constituency than he is concerned about the welfare of America either financially or as a distinct nation.
But, if the goal is to "change America" into a socialistic nirvana where public programs rule the day, perhaps there is method to his madness, consider the more people Obama and the liberals allow in by turning a blind eye, the more social programs to take care of them we'll need, the more taxes, the worst the economy, and then the more social programs to "help" people we'll need, etc. etc.
In fact, I believe there was a professor at Columbia University who actually suggested this as the best course of action to destroy Capitalism.
Theodore Roosevelt's ideas on Immigrants and being an AMERICAN in 1907.
'In the first place, we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin. But this is predicated upon the person's becoming in every facet an American, and nothing but an American...There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn't an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag... We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language.. And we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people.'
- Theodore Roosevelt 1907
Thank you Jason for posting this wonderful quote. Given the usually undisguised contempt the likes of Obama and the Democrats have for America as well as Capitalism, entrepreneurialism and actually insisting that people make it on their own - without big brother "helping". I dare say it is a quote that would cause all of them to gnash their teeth and call Teddy a chauvinistic racist.
Well, I, and I think you as well, would beg to differ. This is the greatest country the world has ever seen, which is why the best and brightest of all generations have high tailed it here, and left behind their own hidebound countries of origin - be they the so called "cultured" countries of Europe, "pushing 2000 years of dead tradition ahead of them in their respective wheel barrows - unable to think a fresh thought because they are so concerned about their "traditions"" or countless others one could name; some rather benign; some beyond horror.
America has a secret ingredient the others do not have and never, ever will have; a respect for individuality and freedom that unleashes the spark of creativity and accomplishment within those who have the desire to rise above and see beyond the walls of mediocrity most happily lives their lives confined behind.
There's a lot of talk about how America is going down the tubes; well, as Samuel Clemens, a.k.a. Mark Twain said when he read an obituary for himself that had mistakenly been published, "The reports of my demise, are greatly exaggerated."
Mark my words, ot will not be too long before good "friends" of ours, like the French, find they have much to gnash their teeth about as they curse and say, "Damn those Americans, they did it again, we thought they were finally down for the count - what with Obama doing his thing."