May 8, 201016 yr Since everyone seems to have an opinion on what to do, this could be an interesting thread. Post your solution to the immigration mess here and be prepared to defend it, i.e. if you are going to say "build a wall" explain, within reason, how much it will cost and how it will be paid for, why it will be successful, etc. I'll start with a few of mine: Reduce the complexity of legal immigration. Enlarge quotas, streamline the application process, and implement a robust guest worker program. Let people enter temporarily to work, but make the process simple enough to make illegal border crossing too risky, all the while increasing the tax base. The length of temporary visas should also be expanded to make tracking expired visas easier. I would also add that a path to citizenship based on such a program should be enacted, allowing for years of trouble-free work to provide a large step toward formal citizenship. This should heighten the stakes for illegal behavior. - Legalize marijuana. While a lot of the drug trafficking is in cocaine, marijuana is the overwhelmingly dominant product tying up the majority of our enforcement and bankrolling the drug cartels. It's overdue to be legalized and it would remove a massive incentive for illegal border crossing. Additionally, agencies and monies will be freed up from enforcing marijuana laws to focus on cleaning up the rest of the trafficking and enforcing visa laws in the previous point. - Expand development aid to Mexico and Central America. It's obvious many migrants are seeking employment because of the terrible economy in Mexico. Mexico has made a few gains under NAFTA but the potential hasn't been fully realized. Based on the successful US bailout of Mexico during the peso crisis, our money does improve the Mexican economy. A series of non-burdening loans for specific initiatives, such as for increased law enforcement and infrastructure should help Mexico make better use of free trade and lessen the incentive to seek employment in the US.
May 8, 201016 yr I will agree to most of your #1 idea. I would also allow for reducing the quota in difficult economic times. On citizenship they go to the back of the line. Those who have obeyed the law should get the first chance to be citizens. #2 idea, never. #3 idea. Mexico has to eliminate its corrupt government to make the economic situation better. Mexico has a lot oil that could make a difference, but because of their system they are not using it to their advantage. I do not know what a wall would cost, but if it was built like the wall the Israelis built to keep out Palestinian bombers, it would work. It could be paid for in part by getting rid of the Energy and Education Departments. Edited May 8, 201016 yr by bballfamily
May 9, 201016 yr I will agree to most of your #1 idea. I would also allow for reducing the quota in difficult economic times. On citizenship they go to the back of the line. Those who have obeyed the law should get the first chance to be citizens. #2 idea, never. #3 idea. Mexico has to eliminate its corrupt government to make the economic situation better. Mexico has a lot oil that could make a difference, but because of their system they are not using it to their advantage. I do not know what a wall would cost, but if it was built like the wall the Israelis built to keep out Palestinian bombers, it would work. It could be paid for in part by getting rid of the Energy and Education Departments. Well, since this is a non-starter with you, please explain why the rest of the world should stop viewing marijuana's illegality as one of the most pointless "wars" in history.
May 9, 201016 yr I have been pondering today the thought of annexing Mexico. I cannot defend that yet, so I'll trail off for a while.
May 9, 201016 yr Well, since this is a non-starter with you, please explain why the rest of the world should stop viewing marijuana's illegality as one of the most pointless "wars" in history. I have seen too many wasted lives. I know not everyone goes down the negative road, but I am not supporting anything that can destroy lives. People should be taught that life can be lived without a crutch, only the weak need artifical means to be happy.
May 9, 201016 yr I have seen too many wasted lives. I know not everyone goes down the negative road, but I am not supporting anything that can destroy lives. People should be taught that life can be lived without a crutch, only the weak need artifical means to be happy. Can't the same be said for alcohol, tobacco, gambling, etc?
May 9, 201016 yr Since everyone seems to have an opinion on what to do, this could be an interesting thread. Post your solution to the immigration mess here and be prepared to defend it, i.e. if you are going to say "build a wall" explain, within reason, how much it will cost and how it will be paid for, why it will be successful, etc. I'll start with a few of mine: Reduce the complexity of legal immigration. Enlarge quotas, streamline the application process, and implement a robust guest worker program. Let people enter temporarily to work, but make the process simple enough to make illegal border crossing too risky, all the while increasing the tax base. The length of temporary visas should also be expanded to make tracking expired visas easier. I would also add that a path to citizenship based on such a program should be enacted, allowing for years of trouble-free work to provide a large step toward formal citizenship. This should heighten the stakes for illegal behavior. - Legalize marijuana. While a lot of the drug trafficking is in cocaine, marijuana is the overwhelmingly dominant product tying up the majority of our enforcement and bankrolling the drug cartels. It's overdue to be legalized and it would remove a massive incentive for illegal border crossing. Additionally, agencies and monies will be freed up from enforcing marijuana laws to focus on cleaning up the rest of the trafficking and enforcing visa laws in the previous point. - Expand development aid to Mexico and Central America. It's obvious many migrants are seeking employment because of the terrible economy in Mexico. Mexico has made a few gains under NAFTA but the potential hasn't been fully realized. Based on the successful US bailout of Mexico during the peso crisis, our money does improve the Mexican economy. A series of non-burdening loans for specific initiatives, such as for increased law enforcement and infrastructure should help Mexico make better use of free trade and lessen the incentive to seek employment in the US. These seem to be some very common sense solutions, better than I've seen anyone else propose. :thumb: Actually, I've never been on the "legalize marijuana" bandwagon, but this seems reasonable. Habib, what do you propose that we do with children of illegal immigrants not born in the US, but that are here at no fault of their own? Also, what about children born TO illegal immigrants if their parents are here illegally?
May 9, 201016 yr These seem to be some very common sense solutions, better than I've seen anyone else propose. :thumb: Actually, I've never been on the "legalize marijuana" bandwagon, but this seems reasonable. Habib, what do you propose that we do with children of illegal immigrants not born in the US, but that are here at no fault of their own? Also, what about children born TO illegal immigrants if their parents are here illegally? Habib's ideas sound pretty legitimate & fair to me. As far as how to treat the innocent children of illegal aliens, the Supreme Court has already decided that, for the large part, they will not be punished or treated differently.
May 9, 201016 yr Habib's ideas sound pretty legitimate & fair to me. As far as how to treat the innocent children of illegal aliens, the Supreme Court has already decided that, for the large part, they will not be punished or treated differently. Please fill me in. What does "not punished" or "treated differently" mean? You are referring to children born in Mexico, but brought to the US by their parents, right?
May 9, 201016 yr Please fill me in. What does "not punished" or "treated differently" mean? You are referring to children born in Mexico, but brought to the US by their parents, right? I mean that the government will not be able to arbitrarily discriminate against the children of illegal aliens just because their parents have broken the law. The children, although their parents are here illegally, will have free public education. I was really referring to Plyler v. Doe, which Wikipedia tells me was decided in 1982. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plyler_v._Doe The SCOTUS decided that to "punish" these kids for their parents mistakes / actions would do more harm than good...
May 9, 201016 yr I have been pondering today the thought of annexing Mexico. I cannot defend that yet, so I'll trail off for a while. Don't know if you are serious or not, but I have ran it through my head many, many times. It would almost be an all out war against drug cartels though............ I like the first 2 ideas, the 2nd is a no go, Mexico is to corrupt.
May 9, 201016 yr Can't the same be said for alcohol, tobacco, gambling, etc? Yes and I do not want to add anymore crutches to the list.
May 10, 201016 yr MAP Of My Country: Let me make this perfectly clear! THIS IS MY COUNTRY! And, because I make This statement DOES NOT Mean I'm against immigration!!! YOU ARE WELCOME HERE, IN MY COUNTRY! Welcome! To come through legally: 1. Get a sponsor! 2. Get a place to lay your head! 3. Get a job! 4. Live By OUR Rules! 5. Pay YOUR Taxes! And 6. Learn the LANGUAGE like immigrants have in the past!!! AND 7. Please don't demand that we hand over our lifetime savings of Social Security Funds to you. If you don't want to forward this for fear of offending someone, Then YOU'RE PART OF THE PROBLEM! When will AMERICANS STOP giving away THEIR RIGHTS??? We've gone so far the other way... bent over backwards not to offend anyone. But it seems no one cares about the AMERICAN CITIZEN that's being offended!
May 13, 201016 yr The first step in immigration reform must be to stop the influx of illegals into the country. Whether that is The Fence or whatever, we have to find a way to stop the influx. Once that has happened, then we can begin to address the ones that are here. I am not for wholesale amnesty. But I am for working with the ones who want to work, pay taxes, learn to speak English, etc. to get them to legal status. Any illegal who committed a crime would be immediately deported.
May 13, 201016 yr The first step in immigration reform must be to stop the influx of illegals into the country. Whether that is The Fence or whatever, we have to find a way to stop the influx. Once that has happened, then we can begin to address the ones that are here. I am not for wholesale amnesty. But I am for working with the ones who want to work, pay taxes, learn to speak English, etc. to get them to legal status. Any illegal who committed a crime would be immediately deported. I think that we have found a topic that we both agree on, it appears in its entirety! :thumb:
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