Quote From: profmaryannFunny you should mention this issue.
Is it an issue that concerns me? I live in FLORIDA; absolutelyl!!. Floridians (and Californians, Texans, et al.) were dealing with it long before it was making news in the rest of the country. Do I think any of the proposed solutions from either side of the aisle will do much? I doubt it highly. The presence of 12 million (give or take a couple million) "undocumented workers", "illegal aliens," or whatever term one chooses to apply did not happen overnight. The last "solution", roughly 20 years ago, does not seem to have improved matters much, either. Even though the post 9-11 stakes are higher (or one would think), it is unclear to me that any of the proposed solutions would really address the legitimate concerns you discuss about folks with ill intentions overstaying their visas. So I am a tad cynical, rather than apathetic, about "reform."
The really sad thing is that those who do attempt to play by the rules often get screwed. I have seen this first-hand among highly educated and skilled former colleagues.
From your post history, as well as your current message, I take it you have more of an interest than the average layperson?
Prof
Dealing with it, I see a solution but no one really wants to take a stand and do something. For example here are some of the things that must happen.
1. Penalize employers that hire illegals. Such as 1000 dollars for each person that is not legal.
2. Our borders have to be strengthen, whether that means more people or a fence, dont know. Did you know that the Mexican Government and Police actually shoot at Border Patrol and come into the US with different kinds of machine guns. Nice I know.
3. Start deporting all convicted people. With strengthen borders it will be hard for them to come back in, if ever.
4. The people that are in the US, they get nothing or they have to pay out of pocket, no health care, no schooling, no housing etc, nothing.
5. Change the Constitution that no longer allows people born in the US to be USCs. We are the only country that still does that.
6. Have everyone on the same page, meaning Federal, State and Local government.
7. Penalize people that are involved in marriage fraud. There is an actually amount, but it usually is never enforced.
8. No more TPS, Refugees or Asylums. I enjoy when people fear for their life going back to their home country and then once become an LPR they head right back home. It is a joke.
These are just a few things that need to change.
Also, there are only 250,000 employment based visas and you would be shocked to see the amount that goes to people as fast food cooks. Really you can not find anyone in the US to do that?!?!