YOUR COMMENTS

I think the question here is "How much money were they earning?" Were they covering up some of their earnings by not ringing up all sales to avoid paying taxes? were they doing so poorly that they were on federal, state or municiple assistance? More information is needed before anyone can draw a reasonable conclusion.
- Brian, Farmington

They find it hard to "buy the votes" of productive people, that's why they want them out!
- Steve, Raymond

Absolutely Zimmy. The only way to get subminimum wages and put yourself at the mercy of rich employers is to be here illegally. That is why people come here from everywhere. I can just see all those Mexicans lining up to cut your lawn. What do you pay? A living wage? Don't make me laugh. Employers encourage illegal immigrants because they have no recourse. Aren't you proud of your good business sense?
- Will, Deerfield

Dan, wake up and smell the coffee. It was sarcasm.

I'm not sure I have a hood on, nor have I ever had a hood on, except in the winter to protect me from the wind.

As for a racist remark, please enlighten me what I wrote that was racist. Or was it because I am against illegal immigration?

Jeesh.
- Melvin, Keene

Mike Bodruck and Melvin,

Do us all a favor and read the article again...especially the part where these people were here legally with Visa's..

Mmmmk, thanks!
- L.A, Derry

Makes about as much sense as anything else the government does. Let's all spend a few minutes and write a short note to our US Senators (Shaheen and Greg for those of you that need to be reminded) and let them know about this messed up situation. Also remind them about the reasons we don't want illegal aliens in the US.
- Bob, Hillsborough

It's interesting to see which laws are "American" to support and which are "Un-American". The government is sending a very clear message that the only way to reap the benefits of this country are to gain illegal access. Those who follow the rules are cast out, while those who sneak in are welcomed with open arms - and open wallets! As a productive (aka earning my own way, therefore supporting those who don't) member of this society, I have to say that the wagon full of free-loaders is getting harder and harder to pull. I would appreciate the additional help from those whose visas were rejected.

Dan - minor point - how is "follow the rule of law" a racist remark? The comment doesn't mention anything about race.
- Zim, Manchester

Mike Bodruk, Manchester, Melvin Keene, I'm not sure what planet you two live on, but it isn't the Planet Earth.
These folks have followed the rules. They are productive; have provided an ECONOMIC STIMULUS to their (albeit) small communities; they are self-supporting ; and they are overwhelmingly accepted and liked in their adopted home towns; and the US Government says (for the second time for the poor men in Temple): You don't meet the rules, we're not going to tell you what the rules are (and we'll change them whenever we feel like it), but you don't meet them so go home.
And in the meantime, ILLEGAL ALIENS blow through the non-existent Southern U.S. border and take American jobs (and give us the swine flu). They also commit identity fraud by taking false identification so they can take these jobs and get driver's licenses. And what does the US Government do? It gives them our hard earned social security, medicare and health benefits free of charge, sends them to our schools and and demands that the individual states pay for their education, housing and welfare. And now our Government wants to make them citizens of this United States without any penalties for being here illegally.

Senator Sununu solved their problems the last time. Unfortunately, he isn't arond anymore, and his successor, Ms. Shaheen is apparently taking the party line of supporting Illegal Immigration not Legal Immigration. I'd call Hodes/Shea-Porter but they apparently only respond to Democratic constituents - So all you Democrats out there, get busy!!!
I've already sent a message to Judd Gregg.
- Sandy, Thornton

These folks are what we need in our country. What we don't need are the illegal free loaders here.
- Carol, Manchester

This artcile can be explained if we try to understand that the federal government sees this as entertainment and humor.

Consider the current swine flu "pandemic". Janet Napalitano, the director of our homeland security department, said we don't need to close the border with Mexico. She missed the point entirely: we can't close what we don't have. Illegal aliens, those whose very entry into this country demonstrates their wanton disregard for our laws, don't use normal border crossing. The border is used for the most part by those who respect the law, including legal immigrants.

What a shame it is that hard working individuals can not legally enter this country, yet the leadership in Washington wants to mandate spending our tax dollars to provide for healthcare, education and equal rights for the illegal aliens.

Right here in New Hampshire, one of our Senators, Jeanne Shaheen, has no public position on illegal aliens. I wonder what her thoughts are on legal immigrants who work hard and pay taxes.
- Michael Layon, Derry

If all the facts are in then the system has worked against them. They were here legally and tried to continue legal status. Appears they were not a burden on the system but paying their share. System is set up to catch the honest people trying to follow the rules.
On the other side - What this country needs to do is make it a $50K fine for hiring an illegal person. No card or papers and the employer gets the fine. If they can not find work in the US they will stop coming.
- Jim, Loudon

Another example of just how screwed up the federal government is. And to think they want to expand their programs and add new ones. They do little about illegal immigrants(just ask Obama's aunt) yet deny these people who have come here and done everything right, to come back.
So what is the message here? Come here illegally and you will be fine but if you do what the law says we will make you leave?
What a complete joke and to think we will soon have more inept federal government programs that who knows how bad they will screw them up?
- Bill B., Pelham

As one who vehemently opposes ILLEGALS from being in our country taking American jobs I am just as vehement in support of those who came here within the rules and are productive - in this case - contributing to the economy,
Would love to chat with anyone involved in this mess - including some of the folks who place their comments on this page during my Saturday morning radio program.
bnyoung@metrocast.net
- Niel Young, Laconia

Why do we always have to change laws in order to suit cry babies like these two? Follow the laws as written for all.
- Mike Bodruk, Manchester

Bizarre, the choice of immigration laws the feds choose to enforce.
- Tom, Campton

Of course the government does not want these law-abiding, hard working, legal immigrants here... it would interfere with their plans of keeping us on the path to socialism. They need the illegals to keep us in a welfare state.
- Sheana, Chester

Melvin I think your hood is getting in the way while your reading. The UL is in fact supporting these people. You on the other hand, I don’t think anyone really knows what you think. You list three facts, which would lead one to believe that these people should be allowed to remain in the country, and then make a racist remark and say, “they should have followed the rule of law”. Which of course in this case is the problem, the government is blindly applying the “rule of law” and not letting the productive law abiding citizen return to the US.
- Dan, Nashua

How absurd. Had they stayed here and not done the "right" thing, they would be fine. But, after they followed the rules, they are forbidden.
Most of our immigration laws are out of date and nonsensical.
- Hogan, Manchester

Nancy Pelosi says its un-American to expect illegal immigrants to leave--but (apparently) its OK to want to expel foreign nationals--who are gainfully employed--and here legally.

Maybe someone is afraid these folks might eventually become citizens and register to vote as Republicans?
- Paul, Sunapee

Legal Immigrants who respected the United States of America and followed all laws, so they may be part of the American Dream are now viewed as pariahs’, while those responsible for the economic situation as it exists today walked away with millionaires. No accountability, no penalty to pay.
The laws that were instrumental in the success of our nation no longer apply pure and simple. This is also further proof that common sense, honesty, and decency are nonexistent in our elected officials. Every American citizen should be outraged. Call you Senators today.
- Jim, Brentwood NH 03833

This is a great example of why we do not want more government running our lives. Nothing serious is being done about illegals who are breaking our laws just by being here, but productive citizens are denied the opportunity to continue the pursuit of "the American Dream" by bureaucrats who couldn't earn an honest living if they didn't work for Uncle Sam.
- jeff, goffstown

'm not sure where the UL is coming from on this editorial. The situations faced by the folks mentioned are perfectly understandable.

First of all the business owners followed the law and sought visas, permission to enter.

Secondly, they were working in their own business and not on welfare, so they were productive.

Lastly, they did not cross the Rio Grande, have their children in our hospitals for free, pay no taxes, put their kids in our schools, and then go on welfare.

Add all of that to the fact that they speak English, and you see what happened. This is America, and they should have followed the rule of law!

Get with it UL.
- Melvin, Keene

I'm all for these people with their visas. It's the illegal immigrants that cross the border and end up collecting medical and all the other perks the illegals are getting when we have so many Americans that are living without medical insurance and aren't eligible for any kind of aid because they are just above the poverty level which make them ineligible, yet they are every day hard working citizens that are being punished and neglected. Those you are speaking about are working and contributing to the local economy and had legal visas. Something must be done in both cases of legal and illegal immigrants.
- Kathy Radford, Kingston