What should be done about illegal immigration?

Revisions were made to the 1795 statute from time to time. However, the general provisions of this statute existed until 1906.

Are you going somewhere with that observation, Walter?

Foxfyre wrote:

Are you going somewhere with that observation, Walter?

No, I think it was you who quoted all the various lawas, acts and regulations previous to that date.

And it is now 151 years since 1855. We do a whole lot of things differently now than we did then.

Foxfyre wrote:

And it is now 151 years since 1855. We do a whole lot of things differently now than we did then.

Yes. Unfortunately this means you are doing some things worse nowadays.

No.

I don't think we are required to do anything differently. We will do much the same things that worked in the past.

First we will organize, get people who are feeling hurt by racism and unfair laws to be unified and to understand the political power they have if they work together.

Then we will show the public that Immigrants are people, not invaders or criminals... that the Immigrants today are no different than the immigrants of the last century, and that the anti-immigrant side is not only based on racist ideas, but are cruel and dogmatic.

The we will use the political power we have, combined with a growing sympathetic section of America to change laws we think are unfair.

This is the same way it has been done many times in US history.

Good point. Some seem to draw no distinction between immigration and what almost amounts to insurgency these days. Illegal means American laws are being broken. Most Americans disapprove of that as a matter of policy.

Foxfyre,

Foxfyre wrote:

All these people, plus many many other ethnic groups came here with no guarantee other than an opportunity to try. They came here LEGALLY--that is a concept that seems foreign to some these days--and they came here to be Americans.

Do you really believe that past European immigrants (who happened to be primarily White and Christian) that you extol were morally superior or more law-abiding than todays immigrants?

You are basing your argument on the myth that "our" European immigrant ancestors "all" came here legally (not like the lawbreaking Latino immigrants of today).

Whether this ridiculous claim is based on racism, or just ignorance, is a question I will not address. It is certainly not based on fact.

In 1925 a INS report exclaimed that there were "millions" of illegal immigrants. The Border Patrol of this era were catching thousands. There was an argument about "Interior enforcement" and complaints that immigration agents couldn't find illegal immigrants once they blended into their communities.

Of course, like today, there were legal avenues for immigration. Just like today there were millions of immigrants, including our ancestors who were willing to break them to provide a better life for their families.

Once the quota system was fully established, people who got a visa came legally. But million, from Ireland, Italy, Greece and others either stowed away in ships. A common tactic was to come to Canada for agricultural programs and then sneak across the border.

Todays immigrants are the same as yesterdays immigrants. Those who could came legally. Many who were excluded for one reason or another found a way to come anyway.

Foxfyre, I don't know your family history, but there are 10's of millions of Americans today, Italians, Irish, Chinese, Greek and other, who descend from brave immigrant forefathers who were willing to break the laws to get here.

America is a nation of immigrants. It is not a nation of "legal" immigrants, or "illegal" immigrants-- just immigrants. Each immigrant who came here came for personal reasons, and each did what they had to to build a better life.

All of them contributed to our nation, and now many of us who descend from illegal immigrants don't even know it.

In my opinion it doesn't even matter.

You will go along with what Foxfyre? I was talking about the Immigrant community uniting to achive fair treatment. You are opposed to this, we don't expect you to go along.

No matter though, many movements from abolition to woman's sufferage did just fine even with people like you "not going along".

But Foxfyre you are attacking Education, Health Care, Social Security, Workers Comp.

You don't want immigrants to be healthy, secure, or educated?

Public education for our immigrant ancestors was crucial to the fact that they assimilated (as you say they should) and lived productive lives that contributed to the society as a whole.

Public health was and is also crucial for all residents. You want people living near you who can't get access to TB shots when they need them.?

You, who complain about following the laws and say you don't want people that unscrupulous businesses can take advantage of, are going to do away with workman's comp-- an imporant legal protection which incidently doesn't cost taxpayers at all?

But I wasn't asking you to go along with anything.

My goal is to convince the reasonable Americans that the anti-immigrant side is extreme and harsh.

For that, my dear Foxfyre, I thank you.

If you wish, it seems clear that you are opposed to the immigrant community uniting against the current anti-immigrant feeling which in their opinion is a growing problem.

You will try to make a distinction between anti-immigrant and anti-illegal-immigrant. But, the legal immigrant community (especially Latinos) by a great majority don't see it that way.

When you see the upcoming protests, you should understand that a large number of the people involved-- including the organizers-- are US citizens.

The slogan is -- "Today we march, tomorrow we vote"-- Do you get it (hint: illegal immigrants don't vote).