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Where do things stand with illegal immigration?

posted Monday, Dec. 8, 2008 1:26 p.m.

See more on: Blogs, Colorado State of Mind, Immigration

From Cynthia Hessin, of "Colorado State of Mind":

In the years I've spent covering and observing news, and the issues raised by the news, I've come to know certain topic areas are definitely more emotionally-charged than others.

Hands down, for a long time, the legality and morality of abortion would come to mind first. That's probably because it embodies two things, religion and politics, which can sharply divide people.

In more recent U.S. history, though, the subject of illegal immigration has pulled up alongside abortion, as one which can provoke strong, conflicting reaction.

This isn't surprising when you look at the numbers of immigrants who have come to this country illegally in the past 10 years, looking for jobs and better living conditions than in their own countries, and thus spreading out into communities here, interfacing with U.S. citizens at work sites, schools, churches.

Colorado citizens have been vocal in this discussion since 2006, when a citizen-initiated ballot issue to bar state services to non-citizens was disqualified by the state supreme court and never went before voters.

Then-Colorado Governor Bill Owens accused the court of delaying its decision until it was too late for the proposal's backers to start over, so in July that year he convened a special session of the legislature. The result was a set of new laws called "the toughest in the nation," but they were state laws, attempting to govern in federal legal territory.

In late 2008 some new circumstances have developed. For one thing, the recession appears to have resulted in some immigrants from Mexico returning to their native homes, or choosing not to risk the trip in the first place, since jobs have been drying up in this current economy.

At the same time, with a new administration about to take over in Washington, activists feel that now is an opportune time for Congress to pass meaningful legislation that would satisfy the competing interests.

Is the immigration policy of the U.S. affecting you, where you work or live? What do you expect President Obama and the Congress to do, in 2009?

We hope you'll tune in to "Colorado State of Mind" this Friday evening at 7:30 to hear the views of our guest panel, or see it online next weekend.

See more on: Blogs, Colorado State of Mind, Immigration

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Jackie Kehle
Tuesday, December 9, 2008 2:46 p.m.
Illegal immigration needs to be stopped. It is unfair to others who wait to come legally. We are the only country in the World who says a child born here is an automatic citizen. This encourages many to come here to have children.
A law is broken when one comes here illegally. Our medical costs, schooling etc are huge supporting illegals. Our jails are full.

Frank Leri
Tuesday, December 9, 2008 3:28 p.m.
Why is it illegal and nothing is done? The fabric of this
country is losing its great foundation. The country I grew up in is not the stellar one it was then. My mother immigrated
in the 20s and had to learn ( and master. no accent) English,
and really loved this country.
Also our senator Salazar a couple years was very concerned
about open borders because of terrorists, but no action.

Joan Brehon
Tuesday, December 9, 2008 3:33 p.m.
People here need to have work visas. If they are issued for a year, the applicant should learn English by the end of the Visa term. Italy has work visas. (I don't know how the the visa is good for. Could check.) If the folks can't learn Italian fluently, visa is not renewed. Citizenship or visas, but no straight out amnesty. Would be good for the illegal immigrants, for the country and us, the tax paying citizens. We do need the work force. That would bring them "out of the shadows" and clear the way for everyone. Any agency that has to do with immigration, should all share information and be open all the time, not impede, or drizzle out a few names at a time. IRS needs to not issue tax numbers for people without proper ID or stolen ID'S. Help the illegals and the country too!

judy schilling
Tuesday, December 9, 2008 3:56 p.m.
I agree that we should start issuing work visas; I also agree that immigrants have to mainstream and be fluent in English. I think illegals here should be allowed to apply for citizenship. I think students should start taking civics classes again, and that local YMCA's should over refresher courses for all adults, in civics and citizenship for all of us!!

Cam
Tuesday, December 9, 2008 4:12 p.m.
Decades ago, when European immigrants arrived on Ellis Island, few of the new comers spoke English, but all wanted to learn. I agree with Judy. Immigrants should be allowed to apply for citizenship. They should take classes in English and integrate into our communities. This is how true fluency is achieved.

jm fay
Tuesday, December 9, 2008 4:53 p.m.
Jackie is correct. These people pay very little in taxes if they pay anything yet their kids are educated for free; they add to the learning problems for US citizens / legal residents kids because its another kid who doesnt speak English; they get free health care since they dont have a SSN for the hospitals to track and or free clinic care yet there is very little or none free care for citizens / legal residents. The list goes on.

We have 20 years in contract work in CO in the delivery business so we have seen alot of things that companies do to get away with employing this person who has no right to work here. These are large companies too. Construction; landscaping; child care; etc is the same way. Now there is alot less work for legal people but still work for illegals

Deborah Saxon
Tuesday, December 9, 2008 4:59 p.m.
I have taught ESL for over 20 years. Overwhelmingly, immigrants DO want to learn English. They fully realize the value of doing so. However, there are few services for doing so. Colorado is the only state in the U.S. which does not fund adult education as part of its budget. Providers rely on grants/soft money. Moreover, solid research indicates that children need more than three years to attain full ACADEMIC proficiency in English, but schools receive no funding for ESL students after three years in school. Every person living in the U.S. today comes from a family who immigrated here from somewhere else. We have much to gain if the potential of every one of the immigrants here now is utilized. We need to help them do just that. It is in our best interest as well as theirs.

jm fay
Tuesday, December 9, 2008 5 p.m.
We got on the Aaron Harbor show last night with the question on the 2 year old employment verification law. The Governor seems to feel he and the DOL are doing their part by not allowing companies to class people as contractors when they are really employees but that is the tip of the ice berg. IN delivery contracts as long as they dont tell you when to show up; how to deliver; and maybe a few other things; you are not an employee so they do not have to take taxes out and dont have to ask for proof of right to work here.

Yet citizens and legal residents have thier ssn reported to the IRS so they have to declare the monies earned.

Is it right for a company to hire one person who in turn hires many more; all working under the same ssn? What about your relative who legally cant work?

jm fay
Tuesday, December 9, 2008 5:06 p.m.
Deborah: Why should any govt including the feds fund illegals to help them learn English? Its one thing if its for legal residents or their kids and another for an illegal. Its as well not fair to allow someone who's parents are both illegals to get automatic citizenship just for being born here which then allows them to sponser thier parents; siblings; whomever to legally come to the USA.

Our grandparents and thier parents came here legally. They learned English!!! How many times these days are we who is mute unable to communicate with a Spanish speaker who has lived here for years and never made a single attempt to learn English? Yet they live here; earn money here but they dont want to assimulate? Then why be here besides its "worse" where they come from?

Bob
Tuesday, December 9, 2008 5:11 p.m.
Illegal is "ILLEGAL". They say they do jobs that Americans don't want to do. It's just that they are willing to take jobs and work for less money which only serves to lower our standard of living. We Americans have to get a decent wage because we pay our way. We pay taxes, buy home, health and auto insurance ...They do not! Immigrants will intergrate... illegals do not! They just thumb their nose at our laws and take advantage of our systems. They and their offspring should all be sent back to Mexico or what ever country they came from. However, I think a good, well controlled, work program would be helpfull but it should not include immigration opportunities. This problem will undermine our present way of life if left unchecked. It's an invasion of OUR country, plain and simple!

B.J.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008 5:16 p.m.
New Spain owned this land from the 1500's until it was acquired by the U.S. in 1848 through the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. The colonists living here for 400+ years were suddenly U.S. citizens. They have been bilingual for centuries but are continually thrown into the mix of illegal immigrants by those too ignorant to study the history. The real issue is that businesses are getting rich off the backs of illegal immigrants who just want to work for a better wage then go back home. In the mean time we the taxpayers are subsidizing these businesses when the workers go to the emergency room or have children attending our schools. The businesses are at fault - if they didn't hire them, they wouldn't come! By the way Jackie, France also considers anyone born in their country French...

jm fay
Tuesday, December 9, 2008 5:34 p.m.
Dont forget Bob they live many people to one apt / house / etc where Americans would not by and large. That is also how they can afford to do work for alot less and still send money home. Meanwhile they also overwhelm the sanitation; the schools; etc with they way they are prepared to live that most Americans will not consider doing unless things were desparate.

They also get loans for homes that help with the forclosure and sub prime mess when they have no legal right to work here yet our banks; etc are giving them loans when what do you think will happen if they get arrested and or deported?

It really floors us how much easier it is for an illegal as opposed to a disabled citizen to get help as well. Look at the help they got after Swift raid happened in Greeley?

Bernie Lewis
Tuesday, December 9, 2008 8:31 p.m.
Most Americans feel the government should uphold the immigration laws that are in place. It is too bad that politicians are only concerned about political correctness and votes of the minorities. If we are not a nation of laws, we will soon not be a nation at all.

jm
Wednesday, December 10, 2008 5:42 a.m.
We were at a local meeting some months ago when this came up. Our state senator wanted to call illegals non citizens and our mouth dropped a foot. She doesnt seem to realise that we have 2 kinds of non citizens.

Laws need to be enforced so we have them when we need them. Enforcing them gives the laws the respect they deserve.

skip guarini
Wednesday, December 10, 2008 7:51 a.m.
With the drop in residential and commercial construction, illegal immigration has dropped off significantly in the past several months. This is the time to begin a comprehensive immigration law enforcement program. With numbers of illegals declining rapidly, ICE and local law enforcement agencies have a great opportunity to establish Colorado as a very undesirable state for illegals in the future. The magic bullet is to simply enforce current law.

The one major problem with a "no-tolerance" policy is getting our poltical and industry leaders on board. Again, the opportunity is here since the financial advantage of hiring illegals has faded and the people spoke loudly at the poles last month. Political leaders need to heed the vote. Law enforecement simply needs to do their job.

Paul West
Wednesday, December 10, 2008 12:32 p.m.
All the problems we face today are exacerbated by our growing population. Most of the growth is from immigration and most of that from illegal immigration. We must be willing to pay all workers a living wage and stop turning a blind eye to employers who exploit cheap labor. Illegal immigration will cease to be a problem when employers are no longer allowed to rely on undocumented workers. Americans have a disproportionately large adverse impact on our planet. Progressives need to recognize that stabilizing our population is a morally appropriate stance, and not simply something advocated by racists.

JEC
Thursday, December 11, 2008 5:44 p.m.
Illegal immigration will only stop if and when our borders are secure. Since our politicians are unwilling to see to that, I say "Build fences that are real barriers".

Larenzo Swayo
Sunday, December 14, 2008 6:39 a.m.
The gov. is right- we can't let 4 billion people into the US to consume trillions in assets built up by 10 generations, but the US allows it because illegal employers pay off elected officials. The clueless female panelist is correct that something is owed because wealthy Americans have benefited $20, K /yr from lowered costs provided by illegal labor. Clueless- You don't owe it to illegals who have been defrauding welfare. You owe that $20 K /yr to the middle class Americans who made less or didn't have jobs and paid more taxes to support illegals. Think ! Point-2 Illegals come here for criminal opportunity. Only criminally inclined enter illegally. Felons worldwide come to the US because we don't prosecute illegals here. Caught for felonies here, we just deport- they return in 48.

LiamR
Sunday, December 14, 2008 10:36 p.m.
One of the most frustrating aspects of this issue is the feeling that if one objects to illegal immigration - specifically to the drain on resources and the resulting depletion of jobs for U.S. citizens - then one is immediately branded as a racist. I personally believe that our government needs to negotiate, perhaps forcefully, with Mexico over the tide of desperately poor Mexicans who make up the bulk of illegal immigrants.

This problem will never be solved unless the poverty, repression, corruption, and violence in Mexico are addressed. There is no reason these issues cannot be resolved over the long term. In the meantime, jobs, and health and education resources need to be protected from the excessive demands of illegal immigration.

Jennifer Piper
Monday, December 15, 2008 1:45 p.m.
We need an immigration policy that also reforms our trade policies. Many times the trade policies we pass hurt both native and foreign workers. We need to beef up the Department of Labor and make sure it protects every worker's rights so that unscrupulous employers cannot take advantage and pit workers against one another. We need a system that offers VISAS to both skilled and unskilled workers with the opportunity to become a a citizen or elect to return home. We need a policy that recognizes the contributions that immigrants make. Immigrants keep the American Dream alive; they own small businesses and buy homes, immigrants help keep our communities dynamic and diverse, they connect us to the rest of the world.

jm
Tuesday, December 16, 2008 8:51 a.m.
Liam: Mexico cant even deal with its illegal drug problems and violence on the border due to it. They have oil revenues but dont use it to improve the lot of its citizens. Its far easier to just allow their citizens to come to the US; work and send monies back to Mexico.

Jennifer; this country has enough unskilled workers. We need those doing the work to be paid a living wage and to be legally allowed to work. The only exception might be ag. Bush though is changing all the rules regarding ag workers before he leaves office but he is not allowing those ag workers already here and working illegally to apply for those visas. So how is he fixing anything?

CO has alot of computer people yet who does the contract go for work on our state's computers? to India as its cheaper!!!

Raymond Bilyeu
Monday, February 9, 2009 3:10 a.m.
Better late than never! :)
Every country in the world that has a higher standard of living than its neighbors has immigration issues, not just America. People want better lives for their families, that should never be viewed as evil or wrong, it is simply the method by which they attempt to do so.
America offers many types of visa's for those seeking to work or live in the US and has since its founding.
Part of the problem ( I think ) is how little people in America truly understand "WHY" the illegals do what they do and the mentality of the businesses in America who love to employ them.
Having personally wittnessed "White" construction workers boasting that certain jobs were for the "wet-backs" and you would never see them do it, leaves me with little sympathy for them.

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