Comments on: McCain Cruises As Seal The Border Crowd Whines

By: Don Flores

Don Flores — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 19:26:48 +0000

I’ve read where about 40 percent of the illegal immigrants in the U.S. are from Mexico, meaning that the majority of such immigrants in the U.S. are from other countries in the world. So, Mr. Wicklander, why don’t you and those of your views ever ask how India, the Phillipines, China, Ireland, et. al., enforce their immigration laws because we have illegal immigrants from those nations and other places, too.
Why is it always about Mexico, I wonder.

By: Joaquin

Joaquin — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 17:16:15 +0000

Thanks for writing Don. I’m an advocate for more legal immigration and creating more channels for that to occur. There are far too few slots in our current immigration system that allow people to come in legally for jobs and employment in sectors of the U.S. economy of where their services are needed.
We ought to create more legal pathways for safe and legal immigration into this country, where people can cross back-and-forth in a more logical and humane manner. The U.S. has always needed immigrant workers, and there’s no shame in that.
Our national economy today has a clear need for immigrants - both on the high end in the areas of technoloy and medicine - and in blue collar jobs as well. It’s an empty mantra, in my view, for those who say they’re not against immigration, just illegal immigration, but then fail to support measures that would create more legal means for people to enter.
Nearly all of the major immigration restrictionist groups, such as FAIR and NumbersUSA, oppose any efforts to expand legal immigration, and in fact advocate reducing the amount of immigration into the U.S., period, because of fears they have of this country’s national identity being eroded by immigrants.
That’s a view historically used by nationalists and nativists in opposing immigration to the U.S. over the generations.
I’m not an expert on how Mexico enforces their immigration laws, nor do I need to be, sir. I’m a fifth-generation American, so it’d be like me asking you how the country of your ancestors enforces immigration laws.
I’d be among those who supports having more Border Patrol agents, Customs agents, better staffed and resources ports of entry, etc., as well as better enforcement of holding employers accountable for hiring undocumented workers. Hooray for all of that stuff.
That’s great you’re for rule of law, sir. I’m waiting for folks on your side of the issue to get just as worked up about the undocumented who are illegally in this country because they overstayed their visas, (about half of all illegal immigrants in U.S.), as you all get about immigrants from Mexico and other Latin American countries.

By: Don Wicklander

Don Wicklander — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 20:18:46 +0000

I’m from Up North in Minnesota. We border with Canada. They appear to be a sovereign nation like Mexico and Irag and Iran etc.I saw your parochial comments on the only fear that we have is hardworking people. The usual answers used in place of addressing a problem seriously. The putdown.I am 74, a vet, a recovered drunk , a christian like many of the Mexican people, many of whom are very caring people. I saw Judge Abel C. Limas in the Los Fresnos parade. I also talked to his sister and mother afterward. I think they are conflicted with the problem of being caring and having a relative or son who is a Judge. How do you address this problem of defining the difference between Legal and Illegal. Especially if your oath of office is uphold the law. Can you give me something other than a smartalec answer? If you were to respond to a Radical Muslim, who has their own law, in the same fashion, would you still have that smirk on your face? I don’t think so. You can still be a caring person and want a rule of law. How does Mexico enforce their southern border? Write a column on that question and sign it. I would love to read it, provided it is honest and accurate. Peace.

By: George Lopez

George Lopez — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 19:16:29 +0000

Same old stereotypes from the usual suspects. You’re voice is so worn, dude. What do you expect? Anyone with a screen name like Taxpayer is probably going to be self-righteous.

By: Taxpayer

Taxpayer — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 00:17:03 +0000

On your point about Canadian immigrants won’t erode America’s national identity the way Mexicans do, all I can say is when was the last time Canadian citizens clogged up the emergency rooms at Brownsville Hospitals, or when was the last time you stood behind a Canadian using a food stamp card at HEB, or when was the last time a Canadian hit your car and you had to end up paying for it yourself, and how many Canadians are living in rent assisted housing in Brownsville?
Betty Lou in Iowa and Bobby Joe in Alabama are damn tired of footing the bill for slackers.
Sounds like you are crying louder than the conservatives.