The US immigration debate centers around how the issue impacts life in America. But immigration to America has repercussions across borders, especially when an immigrant is deported. Deportation breaks up families, and leaves those deported stranded in a strange home.
Last year, the US sent 870,000 Mexicans back to Mexico. Unfortunately for the Mexican economy, that meant these individuals were no longer contributing to the $24 billion sent back to Mexico from the US. On a personal level, many of these immigrants had been living in America for decades. Once they are deported, they leave behind American-born children. Back in Mexico, they receive little or no support from the government or family. They must fend for themselves in an impoverished society.
Other deportees find themselves home again due to brushes with the law. Omar Giron was sent back to El Salvador because of a DUI and domestic abuse conviction. He had legal status in the US, and left behind four children in Virginia. He now is treated as an "Americano" in El Salvador, where he struggles to adjust.
Considering that they had to break a law to get deported, do you have any sympathy for these individuals? What about the US citizens who are separated from their parents?
Current&Elliot
Replay
Korres
I'm sorry but I do not feel any sympathy for these people. If you do something illegal (immigrating to america illegally) then you should suffer the consequences.
They're not victims. They did something wrong coming here without visas. Simple.
1How and why should we as American citizens care what happens to them when these illegal aliens are sent back home? It's the consequesnces of being caught doing something illegal. If mexicans don't like what the government is doing to destroy their country, they need to stand up and demand the government change. If they want our help, they just need to ask. To come in Illegally and then cry "poor me" when they get caught and deported is silly. It's like blaming a bank for having money when someone robs it.
2AMEN Syako and UnDave! I agree 100%!
3I feel sympathy for the kids involved. I have trouble feeling sympathetic toward the parents that put the kids in that situation though. Especially the ones that have been here for decades. They had ample opportunity to apply for citizenship long before 9/11 when I'm sure the process got so much more complicated.
4If you broke the law, taking advantage of the opportunities here, it's like stepping in line in front of someone who went about it the legal way. Then, without the common sense to lay low and not commit more crimes, the person is now being deported. To suggest that is unfair just makes no sense!
5Hey KrisSugar — just to clarify the person who was deported for getting a DUI and the domestic abuse convictions was in the US legally. But his visa got revoked, after the charges.
6My Hindu friend may get deported, but he isn't here illegally. He's been in the country legally since he was 9, his family owns 2 businesses, and he's a 2nd year medical student, yet their citizenship requests have been denied. They are appealing now. I'd hate to see them deported, with NO place to go, while illegals are here under the radar.
7Terry, that is more of a crime than deporting criminals. My prayers go out to your friend and his family.
8"Unfortunately for the Mexican economy, that meant these individuals were no longer contributing to the $24 billion sent back to Mexico from the US."
Seriously?! Unfortunately for the Mexican economy??? How about, unfortunately for the American economy none of these people paid any taxes...
9And you think that's wrong Liberty? A visa is not citizenship and it's not even being a permanent resident alien. So, he knew his status in America was not stable or permanent. He shouldn't have committed crimes.
10Oh, I see Liberty. That is an important distinction about that guy.
On that note, he still ought to behave himself!
11I feel sympathy for them - they are human beings and many came here searching for a better life. Just like the ancestors of everyone here who is not a native american.
12If we as American citizens honestly feel so strongly about upholding the law, we should pay closer attention to the policies of our government and business that have serious impact on the conditions in other countries. It takes lots of payoffs, law skirting and just plain cheating to keep prices down at WalMart. We'll allow workers to come to California to work on farms under miserable conditions and earn pitiful wages, expect them to be grateful for the opportunity and make sure they leave when the season's over.
We claim to uphold the notion that all men are entitled to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness but we've got no problem sticking a boot in their face or a wall across our border.
Of course its sad when deportation breaks up families, but jail breaks up families too and yet I don't hear people saying we should let all criminals roam free.
Just because sometime is sad doesn't mean it's not right.
13Well I personally don't shop at walmart for those reasons, and only buy produce from local farmers that I know. I know they are humans, but really, we can't just let everyone in. It just can't work that way, so we have a system in place that allows people to apply in a legal way to try to get here, and if and when they do then congrats and welcome to america. If not, well I'm sorry but we don't have room and maybe try another country OR stay home and try to make life better there.
14It's easy to write off anyone who enters the US illegally as a criminal who does not deserve any sympathy. However, it’s nearly impossible for people from certain countries to enter the US legally: due to the quotas for immigration into the US, the wait for immigrants from China, Mexico, the Philippines among other countries can be upwards of 15 years for near members of US citizens!
15Perhaps this should be fixed or at least acknowledged before we issue condemnation.
No one said the immigration system is flawless. If someone is from one of those countries, just because you may think the system is flawed does not make it OK for that person to come here illegally. If there really is a flaw, then write your congressman or woman and take it up with them or do something else proactive.
16Well, my husband is not from the US and he was not illegal, but also not a permanent resident. A paperwork mistake by our lawyer for travel permission barred him from entering again. That was in 2001. So guess what? To keep our family together, we moved abroad.
It's almost impossible to get straight answers from the US Embassy about when or how my husband may get permission to go back. In the meantime, we live better than we did in the US, working much less. Our child is bilingual and has a high tolerance for diversity.
Those of you who think immigrants aren't part of the US, I'd like you to answer this: where did your forefathers come from? Not Native American? Then put a sock in it!
17Fine, enforce the laws that we have equally and behave ethically. The mayor's office estimates that 30% of Los Angeles' budget is 'under the table'. There are businesses in California that are content to not question a person's immigration status as long as they don't have to worry about paying benefits and staying just this side of the IRS and Immigration - if it didn't work for the people with money, illegal immigration would have been cut off a long time ago.
18"If we as American citizens honestly feel so strongly about upholding the law, we should pay closer attention to the policies of our government and business that have serious impact on the conditions in other countries. It takes lots of payoffs, law skirting and just plain cheating to keep prices down at WalMart. We'll allow workers to come to California to work on farms under miserable conditions and earn pitiful wages, expect them to be grateful for the opportunity and make sure they leave when the season's over."
I think that's a big part of the problem--we don't really place blame where it's due. And, until Americans do what people like syako do (not shop at WalMart, etc., which is definitely a great way to make a difference) on a large scale, what's going to change, and how?
19noix - First off I feel terrible for you and your husband that you're in that situation. That truly is a sad and horrible situation.
When you ask this "Those of you who think immigrants aren't part of the US, I'd like you to answer this: where did your forefathers come from? Not Native American? Then put a sock in it!"
I just wanted to make it clear that I do not feel like immigrants aren't part of the US. And I hope that I didn't come off as thinking that way. I know we are a nation of immigrants and my husband is an immigrant himself.
I just don't think illegal immigrants are a part of the U.S. as they did not go through the proper channels to come her legally.
And I will keep your family in my thoughts! I hope it all gets resolved!!
20It should also be noted that immigration policy (like anything else) is dictated by powerful interests. For example, in the 1980s, people from certain ethnic groups in the Soviet Union were allowed easy entry to the US under refugee status because the US was fighting the “Evil Communists.” Now, there’s a long wait to get into the US from Russia because the US doesn’t need to make a political point.
It would be lovely if immigration policy could change through public action, but because immigration is a Congressional issue that falls under national security, in the current climate, it seems that very little can be done because Congress is set in the status quo.
21There really is too much ignorance about the issue.
First off we are talking about a legal alien, not a person who has invaded the US. He knows that if he commits a crime, he loses his status and has to leave. Most of the countries in the world have this law. I was told the same thing and it was not until I received my citizenship, I was careful and followed the laws the best I could.
Second many who invade this country are criminals, it don’t matter if they are coming here for a better life, the laws are the laws and it matters that we all support them.
Third many who want to have open borders, with people just coming here, they must also like the idea of human trafficking for the sex slave industry among other forms of slavery. They must like the idea that drugs cross the border and end up in our neighborhoods and they must feel that the criminals that are released from the jails of South America end up committing crimes here and fading into the system that the open borders have created to protect criminals.
Forth the immigration laws are setup to protect the country and the immigrate, so if there is a quota, so what. This country can’t allow just open immigration, just like any other country can’t allow it.
Fifth, give me a break about the California farm jobs. I work much harder than they do in a job that is very dangerous and people get killed often and I make less money. Those jobs were done for years by Americans and still can be.
Feel sorry for him or his family, no I can’t.
22I am not going to Boo Hoo for anyone deported who was here illegally or got their citizenship revoked for breaking the law. My “ancestors” which really were my grandparents (I am second generation American) came here legally, but they told stories about friends of theirs who jumped ship in the new york harbor, and were here illegally, but were caught by authorities and sent back. I also don’t feel sorry for poor Mexico’s economy if their well being is majorly based on money earned in the US by illegals than adios amigo to your economy. I could care less.
23"Unfortunately for the Mexican economy, that meant these individuals were no longer contributing to the $24 billion sent back to Mexico from the US."
Are you kidding me with this Liberty? How about the BILLIONS of American tax dollars that go out each year do to illegal immigrants? The fact that these people live in our country and send $24 Billion back to Mexico is a PROBLEM!!!
And I will put a sock in nothing. My family are immigrants who came here legally. And the one who didn't joined the US army to gain citizenship.
The problem is not immigration, the problem is ILLEGAL immigration. And why on earth would I feel bad for a guy who breaks the law and is deported? I feel bad for his children. Maybe he should have taken them into consideration a bit more before breaking the law.
24Sure I have sympathy but that's where the buck stops. My sympathies don't nullify their responsibility to get their $#!+ together and in order. People have two choices when they fall on their face to stay down or get up.
As for the torn families orphaned and or left with no sustainable income here. This is the point I touched on in the debate over sanctuary cities. The 870,000 is just a drop in the bucket compared to what would happen if we went full throttle on current immigration laws and that was just Mexico. This is why it is imperative that we negotiate immigration reform.
25Wow! Some of you are so entirely close-minded. I feel sorry for anyone who devalues another person's life because they believe they are not legally in the country. The immigration laws that are put in place prey on the very poor and uneducated who come to America looking for work and relief from their oppressive countries.
Also, as a side note, our very country's economy would cease to exist were it not for illegal immigrants. While I appreciate some of your comments that you do not buy anything that an illegal alien has touched, I find it very hard to believe that is the case. Every industry in America uses illegal workers.
It might be best for you to be a little more open-minded when it comes to people who are less fortunate than you. You might actually become happier people!
26You know what? If they had not broken the law to enter the USofA, they wouldn't have this problem. So THEY are not the victims here. THE USofA is the VICTIM of their selfishness, self-centeredness, theft of services (welfare, food stamps, Medicaid, jobs) and thoughtlessness.
It's not the USofA's fault that their government isn't responsive to their needs. They should stay home and work from the grassroots up to change their countries for the better. What do they think WE did 200 plus years ago?
STAY IN YOUR HOME COUNTRY and fill out the paperwork to get documentations and wait in line like Lawful, Caring, Intelligent people do.
STAY IN YOUR HOME COUNTRY and work for a better home country. Do not come to the USofA. The Casa is Closed!
27Marcella, how exactly would our country's economy cease to exist? Can you clarify this point?
28"I was told the same thing and it was not until I received my citizenship, I was careful and followed the laws the best I could."
29Are you saying that you were casual and broke the law before you became a citizen?
Americans don't want to some of the jobs that usually go to illegals and often the bosses don't want Americans to do them because the Americans can insist on liveable wages, report unsafe/illegal conditions to the government and employment taxes have to be paid.
"I was told the same thing and it was not until I received my citizenship, I was careful and followed the laws the best I could."
30Are you saying that you were casual and broke the law before you became a citizen?
Americans don't want to some of the jobs that usually go to illegals and often the bosses don't want Americans to do them because the Americans can insist on liveable wages, report unsafe/illegal conditions to the government and employment taxes have to be paid.
It is not that American's don't want the jobs, they want to be paid for their services, as they should be.
31Thanks for the misinformation Marcella. The American economy would not cease if we got rid of illegal immigrants. What would happen is either: 1) The people who use illegal immigrants to do their work would pay more, and be able to hire people who are here legally, or 2) They would develop machines that would be able to do the same work, saving them from having to hire workers altogether. Either way, my fresh produce will most likely go up in price, or I may have to do without a service (like a hand washed car) for awhile, but some entrepreneur would step up and find a way to make money providing the service.
32The same freaking arguments over and over and over and over and over again. Immigration and guns seem to be the most troublesome things in America, not!!!! I'm sure there are other problems we can run circles around each other with. NEXT!!!
33Hey cine_lover!
I wasn't making a value judgment about remittances. Just stating a negative impact it has on the Mexican economy. Whether it's a sympathetic impact — you be the judge!
34Nyara, we could discuss the Constitution
35On a sidenote...how does the picture apply to the post?
36cine excuse me while i go barf lol. Like you said yesterday we should cut and paste comments from previous posts, excuse me I'm just feeling super super grouchy today.
37It's a picture from El Salvador.
38The way I see it there are three points of blame here. The Mexican gov., The U.S. gov. and U.S. employers.
If you choose to blame an individual who is living in poverty in a wooden shack with a dirt floor out in the dry desert for an act of desperation which serves the instinct to survive. You're blame is misguided. I can speak to the conditions because I have been out in the Mexican boonies for humanitarian reasons and trust it's no joke.
If we can work with European, Middle Eastern, and Asian countries to build their economies which serves to enhance ours through trade. Why can't we do the same with the Mexican gov. Yes there is corruption but corruption can be dealt with and should not be used as excuse for complacency. We need to be diplomatically aggressive with the Mexican gov. light a fire under their asses and in the mean time for our part understand that we do not have clean hands in this situation. Our actions through employment practices and immigration law is just as much to blame for manipulating the very desperation which brings these immigrants across the boarder illegally. Only to throw our hands in the air when we realize that our over indulgence in a good thing for us has left us in a quagmire of legal, economic, and humanitarian issues.
39Unless you've been in their shoes...American's (Uneducated & Narrow minded) will never know the mindset of a illegal alien. When you're eating dinner at a posh restaurant in NYC, Miami, LA - who is preparing your meal, Rachel Ray, Bobby Flay or Emeril ??? I don't think so...It is Pablo, Rico or Juan. When you eat your micro green salad, is it pick by the owner from a Organic Farm - no, they are pick by Jose, Miguel & Roberto. When you buy that Fake Rolex Watch, Pravda Handbag, Gucci Scarf - who do think is making it. It is Chin, Mao & Tai. Who cuts your lawn...etc..etc..etc
Until Americans start picking their own lettuce, cotton, corn and start working as Maid, car wash cleaner, baby sitter, chef, busboys...then we can talk...as for now - stop talking from you butt and start thinking with your brain
Americans love a good deal - usually at some poor illegal alien expense.
40"It is not that American's don't want the jobs, they want to be paid for their services, as they should be."
I beg to differ. Have you spoken to any high school/college age kids lately? My friend's cousin should be looking for a job--his family isn't exactly rich and he needs money for school--but does he take what he can get? Nope. She tried to get him a job at a fast-food chain and at Starbucks, but he thought he was "too good" for those jobs. I'm sorry, but when you're looking for a first job, shut up and take what you can get--I did when I was 16, and I didn't expect to get paid $30,000/year for my efforts, either.
41Also--not calling all high school/college-age kids snobs by my comment--just saying that sometimes, that attitude can be prevalent, and it doesn't really have to do with how much pay these jobs offer.
42Yep I'm with syako, UnDave and cabaker... not that I have no sympathy but if you commit a crime or an illegal act you have to be willing to pay the consequences. I also agree with cabakers comments on the economy.
And seriously... "when they go back they have to fend for themselves" isn't that the way everyone has to do it? Even american citizens (well aside from those who live on welfare or are generational welfare recipients). I mean that's the way it works. You get an education, work hard, pay your taxes, and the life you have is what you've made fending for yourself. And if you're good at it, you're happy and have fun along the way too.
43Well bleeker blogger, You made some ignorant and broad generalizations of Americans there. That's extremely offensive, and pretty much just wrong.
Maybe you should get to know more Americans, and stop talking out of YOUR butt.
44em, there are people like that, but as a whole most people are not. If you pay them a wage they will work. When people need to support themselves and their families, they will work.
If there are Americans who are willing to clean my septic tank, then there are Americans who will pick an Orange.
On another note, many Fast Food places and Coffee houses do not hire illegal immigrants. They tend to follow the rules better then other corporations.
45and I agree with those who also say that the problem is not immigration it's illegal immigration.
these people are not doing the same thing our ancestors did. My ancestors (I too am 2nd generation European American) came here legally. And they learned to speak English. They made good lives for themselves here and they did it all without breaking any laws.
46Well I think that no matter what angle we choose to fly at the issue of illegal immigration from. The fact of the matter is that to set things right for everyone involved there is going to be a painful economic and humanitarian adjustment period. There is simply no way around that fact and the powers that be need to fess up, because the sooner they do the sooner we can get this done.
47"Seriously?! Unfortunately for the Mexican economy??? How about, unfortunately for the American economy none of these people paid any taxes..."
Actually some illegal immigrants DO pay taxes. THe government estimates that about 9 billion in total is contributed. It's wrong to think none of them do.
48NYF in contrast to the amount of taxes that go towards illegal immigrants, it is not and even trade.
49I never said it was an even trade. I just said it's not right to think that NONE of them pay taxes.
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