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I live in California too.

I don't know how to solve the problem. If I did I would try to post something on it, but it costs a lot of money trying to enforce that stuff, and with people screaming for political correctness it's hard to do.

I think illegal immigration is something that is always going to happen, despite the fact that the US has one of the easiest and most liberal processes for applying to be a citizen.

No, we shouldn't let illegal immigrants stay. It screws over the public school systems (who are required by law to take all students withint their boundaries), and our health care system (which isn't too great anyway, and it costs a lot to care for people who don't even belong).

Oh, I wanted to ask what people think about the private citizens patrolling the border of Arizona-Mexico. Personally, it shows that our government (and the President) need to get off their asses and do something. It's not ideal having untrained people out doing border patrol, but one thing that does piss me off is the Democrats outrage at the people. If they hate it so much, why don't they try to solve the problem instead of ranting about some people who are actually trying to do something? (Oh yeah, I am an Independent, just so ya know).

Maybe it's partly from that, but the issue of illegal immigration is older than the war and the hurricanes. Not that I agree with the war, but I think the immigration thing is a problem at least a few previous leaders have allowed to slide. It didn't just happen.

I think you're confusing the two. I said illegal immigration and I think you meant legal immigration. Maybe you didn't. I don't know if it's causing a positive effect on our economy and it would really be nice if someone who knew more about the economy would state something about it. As of now, I only have information that says it's weakening the economy especially with paying for stronger boarder control, medical care, and other things. Maybe I'm wrong though.

I agree with you that they may or may not be proud to be in America and they want to be here. That's great, but they're illegally here. If they're illegally here and there are thousands of people illegally here I think we should do something about it if anything.

It doesn't help the economy, for several reasons:

-Specifically in California, many schools are overcrowded. Schools are required to educate all children (public ones). When illegal immigrants arrive, it means more students, which means more schools must be built to accomodate. The problem arises because illegal immigrants do not pay income taxes. Thus, they are in no way supporting schools; they merely leech off them without contributing back.

-Also education. California has shitty test scores. Part of the problem is due to having a high base of people who do not speak English well. Now, I have no problem with people learning langauge; hell, I am trying to learn Spanish cause I like the way it sounds. The problem arises when it comes to testing. Our state has standardized tests, and you DO NOT get an exemption except in rare cases for the mentally retarded or disabled. These test scores influence the amount of money that a public school recieves. When there is an influx of students who speak little or no English, the school does poorly on the tests (especially since some students may not have much time to learn the language based on when they arrive during the year). Thus, some schools recieve minimal funding for education, and all the students due poorly as a result. Note again that schools are funded by taxes, and illegal immigrants do not pay income taxes.

-Economics, again in California. Since illegal immigrants can't apply to most jobs (they require proof of citizenship), they must work where they get paid under the table. This means employers can pay them whatever the hell they want, and they get no benefits. This hurts the lower class (including many legal immigrants), because who wants to pay the California minimum wage of $6.75 to someone when they can get a worker to work for $1 an hour? People who actually live here legally, and pay taxes have a harder time finding a job.

-Health care: Our health care is again funded by taxes. No, we don't get free health care, however, if you need emergency care, a hospital CANNOT turn you away by law. This includes illegal immigrants. Emergency care is important, and a right people should have, but it seems fair that people who live here legally and pay taxes should not have to compete with illegal immigrants. Again, illegal immigrants hurt the lower class specifically by benefitting from government programs without paying income taxes into them.

Yes, illegal immigrants do pay taxes on stuff like food, but they don't pay income taxes which is how most programs get funding.

I am aware of the fact that our economy is one of the best in the world. However, we also have a significant number of people below the poverty line who barely get by as it is.

It is fine that people want to move here. Like I said, we have a very liberal immigration policy. I promote immigration if it is legal.

Exactly. Citizens that are legally here are getting screwed over because people that shouldn't be here aren't being turned away and it's almost like our country is just letting them here. It's kind of crappy that the politicians are just "letting" them stay here and aren't really doing much or taking much effort to address it. There are so many people that can back them and it seems like they're not saying anything to save their own a** and someone has to step up and take the "You're a racist" remarks.

Well, it's not about immigration, it's about illegal immigration. Unless you'd like to state why it has relevance, go for it.

Ah, well, I don't know much about Canadian immigration but you can enlighten us if you want. (I kind of get the metric system now. There are 1000g - 1kg.)