In light of the recent discussions about Arizona's immigration enforcement, I'm just curious what you think is the reason so many people have immigrated to the US and why our legislators have failed to regulate the number here illegally. The government estimates 500,000 immigrants come into the country illegally each year.

According to a Pew Hispanic Center report, in 2005, 57% of illegal immigrants were from Mexico (6.570 million); 24% were from other Latin American countries, primarily from Central America (510,000 El Salvador, 430,000 Guatemala); 9% were from Asia; 6% were from Europe; and 4% were from the rest of the world.

Why do they come to America? Why not enforce the immigration laws?

Originally Posted by bkcunningham1

In light of the recent discussions about Arizona's immigration enforcement, I'm just curious what you think is the reason so many people have immigrated to the US and why our legislators have failed to regulate the number here illegally. The government estimates 500,000 immigrants come into the country illegally each year.

According to a Pew Hispanic Center report, in 2005, 57% of illegal immigrants were from Mexico (6.570 million); 24% were from other Latin American countries, primarily from Central America (510,000 El Salvador, 430,000 Guatemala); 9% were from Asia; 6% were from Europe; and 4% were from the rest of the world.

Why do they come to America? Why not enforce the immigration laws?

They come for a better life which starts with a job. I can think of 2 things that will help 1. Reform the birthright law which will eliminate anchor babies.
2. Enforce labor laws which include penalties and fines for employers who hire illegals.

Originally Posted by bkcunningham1

In light of the recent discussions about Arizona's immigration enforcement, I'm just curious what you think is the reason so many people have immigrated to the US and why our legislators have failed to regulate the number here illegally. The government estimates 500,000 immigrants come into the country illegally each year.

According to a Pew Hispanic Center report, in 2005, 57% of illegal immigrants were from Mexico (6.570 million); 24% were from other Latin American countries, primarily from Central America (510,000 El Salvador, 430,000 Guatemala); 9% were from Asia; 6% were from Europe; and 4% were from the rest of the world.

Why do they come to America? Why not enforce the immigration laws?

so they come here to get them. The democrats have no interest in stopping them because these illegals vote Democrat.

If illegals were to vote Republican the Democrats would take a different approach in a second because they know the cost of illegals is out of hand.

Cologal--- You make two excellent suggestions. I would add close the borders, north and south. Just ENFORCE the laws already on the books.

cologal: What law are you talking about concerning "anchor babies"? I mean, it's in the Constitution stating that "all persons born" here are citizens and, as such, have those rights and privileges. You can't overturn that 'law' with anythign short of another Constitutional Ammendment. If an illegal has a baby in San Diego, that baby is a citizen. Or am I misunderstanding what you're meaning?

Maybe an amendment that the mother has to be here for a period of time before delivery. How about a conception amendment.

djplong, first of all, I'm not speaking for cologal. My understanding of the "anchor babies" controversy not only includes the 14th amendment and birthright citizenship, but the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965. This is where the "family reunifications" language comes in and puts the families' of "birthright citizenship" babies on a fast track to green cards and citizenship in the quotas system that allows a certain number and type of immigrant into the US.

The language of the 14th amendment, "All persons born or naturalized in the United States (NEXT IS THE PART PEOPLE LEAVE OUT IN DISCUSSIONS) and subject to the jurisdiction thereof....." has been a matter of interpretation of the intent by the founders for years.

All persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.

I figured she was most likely referring to other laws that govern the handling of family members of 'anchor babies'.

The "...and of the State wherein they reside" has also been the subject of a lot of discussion of friends of my fiancee. Not too many people talk about being, to use myself as an example, a citizen of New Hampshire.

Originally Posted by djplong

cologal: What law are you talking about concerning "anchor babies"? I mean, it's in the Constitution stating that "all persons born" here are citizens and, as such, have those rights and privileges. You can't overturn that 'law' with anything short of another Constitutional Amendment. If an illegal has a baby in San Diego, that baby is a citizen. Or am I misunderstanding what you're meaning?

No you are not misunderstanding....My nephew did his internship in Texas. They had ambulances waiting with their motors running to take the women in labor back across the border. The problem is that we are reluctant to send the parents back across the border because the child is a US citizen. When the child comes of age they can sponsor the rest of the family into the country.

Originally Posted by bkcunningham1

djplong, first of all, I'm not speaking for cologal. My understanding of the "anchor babies" controversy not only includes the 14th amendment and birthright citizenship, but the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965. This is where the "family reunifications" language comes in and puts the families' of "birthright citizenship" babies on a fast track to green cards and citizenship in the quotas system that allows a certain number and type of immigrant into the US.

The language of the 14th amendment, "All persons born or naturalized in the United States (NEXT IS THE PART PEOPLE LEAVE OUT IN DISCUSSIONS) and subject to the jurisdiction thereof....." has been a matter of interpretation of the intent by the founders for years.

All persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.

Thanks I didn't know what it was called just what it meant.