Amnesty: Do You Support It Or Deprecate It?

[Rickypt]

Originally Posted by irishgrl

I also want to point out that in reality, since many of these jobs held by illegals are under the table, they arent actually paying any taxes....In any event the amount of taxes paid doesnt begin to equal the benefits they receive. Please go back and read the articles I posted on the first page.

I'm not very familiar with the "anchor baby" issue, and will go through the links you have posted.

I do agree with you that the argument that the undocumented pay a lot of taxes is not a very sound one. My first partner ("illegal") worked under the table and didn't pay taxes (he also never once used a public benefit).

My argument is legalize them, take away the need to pay under the table, and then they will be part of the system and paying taxes. I don't think it is feasible, nor humane, to round them up and send them home. I recognize that this creates an incentive for more people to come illegally, but I really think that is going to happen regardless of amnesty. When people are poor and desperate, they will find a way.

When I said I support amnesty, I didn't elaborate to say I support some measures to slow (will never be stopped) illegal immigration. I completely support cracking down on big businesses that hire and exploit the undocumented, as well as reasonable methods of improving border security. Building a big ass fence doesn't qualify as reasonable, in my opinion.

Supporting amnesty means wiping the current slate clean, acknowledging that these people exist, and choosing to help them become legal, productive residents instead of thinking somehow you will be able to send them all home. Then, reform immigration laws and the system to address future illegal immigration issues. The latter never happened after amnesty in the 80's.