Thank you teresr for the information. I have stayed out of the discussion so far because this topic upsets me. I feel that i am being suck into it as i post my comment.  No i just wanted to say thanks for the links.

(are you related to oohchild) lol

Our president can't speak out about the outrage over a Saudi woman being gang raped and then sentenced to being whipped and jailed under barbaric "law" in Saudi Arabia because of oil. Whether oil or slave labor our leaders have made their deal with the Devil and we live with the consequences.

And instead of doing something about the real problems that face America we go and kill people in Iraq. Bush SUCKS

Teresr, these facts are my exact "miffs" about the illegal immigrants.  It's obviously costing our country billions.  You can look around just in Tehachapi and imagine the cost.  I think there are certain "important" people who don't want them deported.  As we are spending a fortune on them being here.  Somebody is making a fortune by exploiting them.  Otherwise there would have been a solution long ago.  As long as they are here, working for cheap wages, (not expecting healthcare from their employer, because they get it from the state), there will be high demand for illegal immigrant workers.  These are the people that should have everything ripped from them, throw them in the fields and let them work their own land.  Put these employers in jail.  If they stand to lose all they have, maybe they will think twice about hiring someone isn't here legally.  And why on earth is our own Government breaking the law of providing social services to people who aren't here legally.  Why is the criteria for a illegal immigrant and the American's so much different for being eligible for aid.  This is one of those subjects that I'd rather just not think about.  It just doesn't make sense.  Obviously someone is getting very rich off this bullsh*t.  I guarantee it isn't the regular tax paying citizens of this country. 

I agree Olivia.  Until 1) the employers are held accountable, 2) we don't grant citizenship to babies unless the parents are legal citizens, 3) we throw the illegals out and put those that are on our welfare rolls, that are capable of working, in the jobs that are now held by illegals this problem won't be solved.  The only way to achieve this is to let our elected officials know that we aren't going to tolerate this any longer.

When we come together as a group united under one cause, nothing can stop the American people.

I guess I must have just grew up naive believing that one day our country would be the melting pot I learned of in school, i was naive that the American Dream was for all who came not just one race but for all.  I guess my Grandparents and parents were naive telling me how great this country was and that it welcomed all who come to seek a better life and worked hard to contribute to society.  I really wanted to believe that America was the land of the free.  I wanted to believe that beautiful inscription on the bottom of the Statue of Liberty that says

"Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me.
I lift my lamp beside the golden door."

I really wanted to believe and did indeed in the naivety of my youth.  I guess your right that the America I was told to believe in is dead or never really existed at least not for my kind. 

I am sickened to my heart and soul that we as a nation of immigrants have not grown past this child like fighting.

Samheath, and madkow. I think you are the only one's who get it. really get it.  Good viewpoint.  With legal work programs assimilation into American society would happen and human dignity could be restored to people.  When you treat people illegal they hide out cause well they are illegal.

Im sorry this gets people so mad but if you would , love thy neighbor (human race) and treat others as you would like to be treated this place would be so much better.

Your arguments are not holding water.  America is a great melting pot of peoples who have assimilated into one society.  All we demand is that the immigration be documented and everyone becomes a part of the system that is America.  We do not want undocumented peoples here, especially in this day.

We are a nation of laws.  That is what keeps our society from dissolving into chaos.  Why do you resist the fact that people who are here by any other means than legal are here illegally?  We are not talking about putting these people in jail.  We are talking about deporting them until they can come here legally.

What is so wrong with being deported to the country you came from so you can come to America legally?  You sing the "Statue of Liberty" song but fail to mention Ellis Island.  Your arguments don't hold water.

I see illegals coming through my door of employment on a daily basis.  I would never think of disrespecting them, or make them feel less than.  What do I do?  I try my best to try to communicate with them to get their needs taken care of.  If it is not possible using my limited Spanish and sign language, I call for an interpreter.  I have strong views about taking care of another country's people, when there are American's who are needing help.  There are parts of this country that are very poor and kids are hungry.  I think our country needs to focus on those people.  There are very few people that I "hate".  I try everyday to do my best to be fair.  Sometimes, being fair just doesn't cut it.  There is always a group who will take advantage of "fairness" and push the rules. At the very least it is discouraging and tiresome.  I know 3 people who are from Africa, who are now citizens.  I know one woman from Canada who is now a citizen.  I also know a woman who married an illegal from Mexico.  This man does not live with her.  They have been married now for close to 5 years.  She has bought his vehicle, she pays for his car insurance, health insurance.  She has paid an ungodly amount of money for attorneys to help him through the citizenship process.  He comes on week-ends to stay with her.  He rarely takes her anywhere.  She complains that he is sending money to his mother in Mexico (which is very noble), he wants to take care of his mother.  On the otherhand, he is married now and should be contributing to his wife's household.  But he does not.  In my opinion he is taking advantage of her, but she loves this man and deals with the facts of what life is for her.  I fear that when he becomes a citizen, he is going to leave her, breaking her heart.  I like her husband, he seems like a very nice man, I don't like the way he is treating her, and have to doubt "his niceness".  I also know of a young lady who has had two children by an illegal mexican, he was deported when he was caught doing something illegal, she loves this man as well.  Will he ever be able to take care of his children?  Not without sneaking back over here and finding a job to support his family.  I also know of another young lady who married an illegal from Mexico, she now has a child and again, this man works makes a fair amount of money, but all the money she saved before marrying him, thousands of dollars was spent on getting him legal.  She is taking advantage of the system, by pretending to be illegal, giving a false name and is using our country's healthcare, and WIC program.  This family makes enough money, they are buying their own home, they have cars, they are taking advantage of our Country.  I know of several American's who are also taking advantage of our Country and our healthcare.  I don't hate.  I become discouraged, frustrated, and sometimes appalled by the lack of consciousness in people now days.  For those of us who do our jobs, who pay into the system, and try to do things the "American way" and seem to get nowhere, it's very disheartening.  The minute someone like me stands up for their beliefs, they become rascist, or unchristian, or unamerican.  I believe everyone has a right to live their life the way they want to.  However when they become a drain on their country, on their employer, on their family.  I start to have problems in acceptance.

Well said Sam and Olivia.  Olivia you can rest assured that you speak the frustrations of all of us.  We will someday force our politicians to listen to us and the tide will turn.  I just hope it is sooner rather than later.