Oh, it's this again.....

[Caladan 19]

I wonder whether anyone is asking whether any of the current crop of presidential candidates is promising anything substantial in regard to immigration reform...

All well and good blaming the illegal immigrants, but surely as "personal responsibility" goes we should be blaming ourselves for electing and supporting people who aren't representing our interests.

The anti-illegal anti-immigrant round-'em-up ten-year-ban deport-deport-deport i-tawt-i-taw-a-mexican candidates didn't make it out of the early primaries. That's made it a non-issue during the primaries, and I doubt it heats up much during the campaign, because it's none of the potential candidates' lifeblood.

[Sister Fracas 5]

You know BY, you DO criticize everyone for what you perceive they don't do well enough, or with misplaced intentions, etc. What is it exactly that YOU do to help people in need?

In America, nothing. I have grasped the 1960's, no war, liberal hippie way. Each to their own that is. And take lots of drugs yet claim to be smarter than everyone else. Freedom of Speech maaaaaaaaan!! Cowabunga dude!!!

You SURE you're not on some of those drugs??

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

For clarification - UK illegal immigration policy is shite as well.

At least they are trying. The UK does not seem to have 12,000,000 to 20,000,000 illegal immigrants roaming freely. Plus I saw how hard it is, even for a legal immigrant, to open accounts etc there..

Look at the recent fines and penalties they passed to address hiring illegal immigrants there.

Well obviously we don't have millions of illegals - its an island with not too many access points.

Per percentage of population its still a big problem.

[Heracles 417]

You SURE you're not on some of those drugs??

The wind must have carried it here from some liberal nearby.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

I wonder whether anyone is asking whether any of the current crop of presidential candidates is promising anything substantial in regard to immigration reform...

All well and good blaming the illegal immigrants, but surely as "personal responsibility" goes we should be blaming ourselves for electing and supporting people who aren't representing our interests.

The anti-illegal anti-immigrant round-'em-up ten-year-ban deport-deport-deport i-tawt-i-taw-a-mexican candidates didn't make it out of the early primaries. That's made it a non-issue during the primaries, and I doubt it heats up much during the campaign, because it's none of the potential candidates' lifeblood.

I do think its a bigger issue on an immigration site like VJ than it is around the rest of the country. As you say on the scale of current priorities it doesn't seem to be particularly significant. I suspect people are more concerned with the changing economy, the rising cost of living and the ancilliary issues connected to that.

[Heracles 417]

Well obviously we don't have millions of illegals - its an island with not too many access points.

Per percentage of population its still a big problem.

The UK has roughly 570K illegal immigrants. The United States has possible close to 20 million.

The UK's population is 60 mill. The US's 300 mill. Do I need to do the math..

[cesar 0]

Remember the size of England though...so that might make a big difference.

Edited May 2, 2008 by cesar

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Well obviously we don't have millions of illegals - its an island with not too many access points.

Per percentage of population its still a big problem.

The UK has roughly 570K illegal immigrants. The United States has possible close to 20 million.

The UK's population is 60 mill. The US's 300 mill. Do I need to do the math..

You don't need to do any math.

I said "per percentage of population its still a big problem". I didn't say "It has the same percentage per population". Do I need to recommend a few reading comprehension texts?

In any case some context of my statement seems to be needed - specifically the distribution of those migrants in UK cities. Its not exactly uniform.

[Heracles 417]

I do think its a bigger issue on an immigration site like VJ than it is around the rest of the country. As you say on the scale of current priorities it doesn't seem to be particularly significant. I suspect people are more concerned with the changing economy, the rising cost of living and the ancilliary issues connected to that.

The only difference is the average JOE simply does not understand how illegal immigration affects them. They do not understand supply and demand. They do not understand that the president is not responsible for everything that goes on in this country. They do not understand that stuff like interest rate cuts or cutting fuel excise tax does little to nothing to help in the long-term.

The country is facing a huge financial crisis yet we continue to allow people to work and live here illegally. Can you imagine the sort of growth and demand that would occur if these 20,000,000 illegal immigrants went back home. All of the jobs that would need to be filled by, surprise surprise, Americans. Yes those very same people who just so happen to live and be citizens of this nation. This is a no brainier but the country wants a 1hr drive through quick fix solution. A heroin shot. As this is how they have gotten through things in the past.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Is the country facing a financial crisis because or, or in spite of illegal immigration?

[Heracles 417]

In any case some context of my statement seems to be needed - specifically the distribution of those migrants in UK cities. Its not exactly uniform.

As of 2008 the UK now has the 21st century points based immigration system. Which Canada and Australia have been using for many years with great success.

Then they also have new fines for hiring illegal workers.

New legislation which will punish businesses caught employing illegal foreign workers has come into force.

If employers are found to have knowingly hired illegal workers they could incur an unlimited fine and be sent to prison for up to two years.

The fines are part of the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act.

Bosses caught employing illegal workers could face a £10,000 on the spot fine. Previously the maximum was £5,000.

The Home Office said the new civil penalties for employers who unknowingly hire illegal workers would allow it to save criminal prosecution for more serious cases.

[Jack and Barbara 0]

Well obviously we don't have millions of illegals - its an island with not too many access points.

Per percentage of population its still a big problem.

The UK has roughly 570K illegal immigrants. The United States has possible close to 20 million.

The UK's population is 60 mill. The US's 300 mill. Do I need to do the math..

I agree that an island that is not borders with Mexico is a major reason why millions of Mexican illegal immigrants and even those from other parts of Central America and South America are not able to come across the border. Unless they have a boat, plane ticket, or are avid swimmers, they ain't getting into UK anytime soon.

[Heracles 417]

I agree that an island that is not borders with Mexico is a major reason why millions of Mexican illegal immigrants and even those from other parts of Central America and South America are not able to come across the border. Unless they have a boat, plane ticket, or are avid swimmers, they ain't getting into UK anytime soon.

So the country should have built a fence. I mean common sense should apply here. But regardless of that people have been allowed to roam freely here for years. Now compare that with what the UK is doing, as I posted above.

• Employers found hired illegal workers incur an unlimited fine and be sent to prison for up to two years.
• Bosses face a $20,000 on the spot fine.

Which says a lot considering, as you said, they are an island. Edited May 2, 2008 by Boo-Yah!

[Heracles 417]

Is the country facing a financial crisis because or, or in spite of illegal immigration?

Of course it affects the economy. Americans are losing their jobs left, right and center. So it is time to send these illegal immigrants back home. These jobs need to be available to Americans. What part of that do you not understand.

Edited May 2, 2008 by Boo-Yah!

[SMOKE 1,426]

Is the country facing a financial crisis because or, or in spite of illegal immigration?

Of course it affects the economy. Americans are losing their jobs left, right and center. So it is time to send these illegal immigrants back home. These jobs need to be available to Americans. What part of that do you not understand.

the fact that some people's jobs & wages aren't impacted by illegals has a lot to w/ their POV on the issue.