YOUR COMMENTS

Frank, Boston

I know your dilemma in the immigration process. I worked in a developing country for six years and met many people with whom I would be proud to share my country. But the process makes it virtually impossible.

We are in a difficult position in housing and feeding refugees, legal or illegal. As Americans (I am a first generation American), welcoming people from other countries has been our pride. It is not possible to know the circumstances forcing people into our country. In the meantime, we have to do what we can to understand what seems to be a growing problem.

Carole, Manchester, NH
- Carole Schickler, Manchester

As a Native American, I think ALL of you foreigners ought to just go back to your countries of origin and give us back OUR land!
- Marty, Manchester

So much emotion, so little logic. I'd like the pro-deportation crowd to explain exactly how we are supposed to "round em all up and ship em all out" when the numbers of "illegals" read out in the media seem to grow everyday. Can we really "round em up and kick em out" without raising taxes considerably? And even if we do this, can we really discern legal from illegal without violating the constitutional rights afforded to spanish-america citizens?
Because lets be honest here, this isn't about immigration as much as it is about latino immigration. If it were anything else, the questions of assimilation wouldn't be so hot. I don't really see much demand of Manchester's Greek population to assimilate. Nor the Bosnians, Serbians or French Canadians. So lets be honest here. A: this is about latinos and the alien influence they pose in our white american society. B: there is no logical well thought out calls for mass deportations because there is no legitimate plan in place to do it. C: these people will keep coming until conditions in their home countries are better. Like it or not, they'll keep coming and all the nationalist pride and grumpy feelings on the matter aren't going to change that.

Time to wake up America.
- Nick, Manchester

"Like so many other fallacies, the 9/11 hijackers were in the US on legal visas."

No, when one commits fraud to get a visa which the terrorists did, then you are not here legally. When one overstays a visa, as they also did, you are not here legally.
- Ali, Lansing, MI

From a different perspective - my cousin was killed this summer in a traffic accident caused by an ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT. His punishment was a farce. He received GREATER PROTECTION from the law (ohio) than residents who live here. HE was not drunk nor did he have drugs in his system, therefore, he could not be charged with a felony. We are currently trying to change this law. His possible sentence was a maximum of 6 months for taking the life of my cousin! This was only available because he was driving without a license. The defense implied he should not be held accountable for not having his license because Ohio does not allow the test to be taken in spanish. If I lose my license and drive and cause an accident, I can be charged with a felony. If the immigrant gets a license (which is the law - like it or not) then it proves he learned the laws by which we all follow to drive. These illegal immigrants want to be here now and not follow the legal means to get into this country. There is a difference between immigrants who follow and obey our laws and those who don't. And it is not just that they are undocumented. Illegal does not describe the person, but is used to describe the status of a given populant.
- Kelly, Canton

One issue that seems to be missing from this discussion is the impact of immigration on the population of the U.S. At present, the population of the country is just over 300 million, and the U.S. Census Bureau estimates it'll be about 420 million by 2050 if present trends continue. (Many think it will be much higher.) The resources of this country - water, arable land, fossil fuels, etc. - are already being stretched: and the infrastructure of the country is also suffering because of sprawl, etc. As part of the "debate" on immigration, shouldn't we decide if we want that many more people or can accomodate them? Immigration contributes about 60% of population growth nationally, about 90% in California.
- jhf, Baileyville, ME

Federal law defines "alien" under immigrationn laws. Illegal refers to those foreign nationals who have either entered without permission or overstayed their visa. "immigrant" refers to those foreign nationals who have entered under any number of valid visas. There is nothing racial, derogatory about using the appropriate legal terms/definitions to describe foreign nationals who have entered our nation illegally or overstayed their visas. They are illegal aliens, period. They are not "immigrants" of any kind. To say otherwise is insulting to every immigrant and naturalized citizen who respected this country enough to play by the rules...including me and my family. BTW I'm Hispanic and neither I nor any of my family or friends consider the term "illegal alien" derogatory. Only illegal aliens and their ethno-supremacist advocates do..because they don't like to be faced with the truth.
- sarah barriga, nh

No human being is illegal.

True.

However, a human being in this country without proper documents has commited an act that violates our laws. The act merits his/her deporation as an illegal entrant.

Nice try on the spin, though!!!!
- Angelina Marris, Scottsdale

Quote: Illegal immigrants aren't breaking the law because they're undocumented. They're undocumented because they broke the law. (end quoote)

This truthful comment exposes the liberals' fallacy that is often used by those leaning to the left while "proving" thier absurd proposition. They either confuse the cause with an effect (just like it has been indicated in the above quotation) or assume a causality relationship when only statistical correlation is present (like in an invalid argument claiming that since a majority of apprehended unlicenced drivers in the U.S. are Mexicans, there is anti-Mexican "racism" among law enforcement personnel).

Good job, Union Leader!
- A Reader, Los Angeles

I think we should not be harsh with illegal aliens.

Don't punish them, just deport them.
- lance sjogren, Los Angeles

Wow, reading the responses to this column brought out the left wing moonbats in large numbers. Immigrants overstaying their visas aren't illegal?? Of course they are. They would be legal had they left at the end of their visa. Moonbats constantly make excuses for poor behaviour. They suggest that it isn't THEIR fault. Its ALWAYS someone elses fault. I feel great about the prospects of another Repubglican administration. When the stuff hits the fan, Americans will vote for the security of their nation. They will also vote for personal responsibility from the citizens. Thasts what the liberals never learn
- Mark Newman, Lutz FL

Re Jim B's comments: Like so many other fallacies, the 9/11 hijackers were in the US on legal visas. There were no WMD's and the people of Iraq were not the ones that attacked us.

I also see that most comments in this section are slamming the Democrats for this problem. Bush and the Republicans have had the power to do something about this problem for six years, so why is it a Democratic issue?

What would Jesus do? What did he do on 9/11 to stop the deaths of 3000 innocent Americans?
- RD, Peterborough

They are here illegally, end of discussion. The other issue is this: the infrastructure cannot continue to support them. They are receiving free medical care around the country to the point hospitals are closing. Their kids are getting free schooling and some Democrats propose paying for their college education. Now they want the Salvation Army to have to hire people who can't speak English??? It's absurd and unfair to real citizens and people trying to get citizenship legally. It's time to make it a less appealing place to come for them. The answer to their problems lies within their own country.
- Paula Higgins, Marietta, Georgia

What an incredible display of ignorance. First of all, 40% didn't "get here illegally" as you claim. They came legally and overstayed their visa. Second, it may be splitting hairs, but a person isn't illegal because they have arrived to our country. For example, there are some individuals held in prisons that arrived because they were on a plane flying over the US to Canada when the plane was diverted. Further, if you read the law they broke - it calls them undocumented immigrants. Finally, realize we don't call citizens that broke the law "illegal citizens" - because that would sound silly. The term "illegal immigrant" was created by the radical right as a useful tool to demonize a group of individuals. You and many others have fallen into their trap.
- Gary, Oklahoma City

I love how the only other group Bob from Derry singled out was the Irish. The irony is certainly not lost on me.

And to the rest, the problem is with the American corporations who employ these "illegal immigrants". If their were no jobs for them to be given (and I purposely say given) then they would stop coming here. As long as the jobs are available "they" will come. That's kind of the point of this whole capitalism thing.

On a larger note, corporate media equals corporate bias. Stop arguing liberal versus conservative bias. Corporate bias is the issue. At the same time this so called media is reporting a coming consumer crunch they are also reporting record breaking bonuses (38 b-b-b-b-billion) for corporate execs.

Get more perspective people.
- John R., Keene

These people should not be in our country. The laws have been written and need to be enforced. I'm certain people from my Dad's generation sacrificed a great deal to protect our country. They fought for LEGAL immigration, and other rights that we embrace. We share the wealth of this country around the world. No one really thanks us, the tsunami for instance, we were criticized for not responding quickly enough. WHAT?? We responded generously, and with respect to their religion. To the illegals in our country you should leave or be removed. Simple
- Mike, Auburn

We can go around and around about this issue, but some truths follow here, by my lights: 1) People who disapprove of "illegal immigrants" are generally against all immigrants and do not accommodate minority cultures. I speak as a 3rd Generation American of Italian heritage. I don't know what it is like to be a Black Man in America today, but I know my life has been blessed with lots of encounters with bigots who discriminate against me. 2) People who concern themselves with immigration issues, are fearful, hateful, and cowardly bullies, who know that poor, illegal immigrants do not have the money, means or political representation to fight back. They are bullies, pure and simple. Tom Tancredo comes to mind, as one example of a fear mongering "Tommy One-Note" with his peculiarly singular focus on the immigration issue, both while in Congress, and as he runs for President. Now, like Bush, Tancredo's silly political ad likens immigrants to terrorists. Any Americans who buy that "Big Lie" deserves all the other lies politicians tell them to get elected. 3) The Union Leader has been a house organ for the Republican Party for many years now. Their editorials mirror the Republican National Committee press releases, rather than, say, the Concord Monitor or Keene Sentinel or Nashua Telegraph editorials. Living here in Manchester, in Union Leader country, I feel like I have to strain to access the real issues, perspectives, and news, outside the prevalence of the false conservatism that is the Union Leader editorial brand. For example, how can anyone support President Bush vetoeing the Child Health Bill for only $20 Billion, while he asks our U.S. Congress for another $200 Billion SUPPLEMENTAL for his fiscally unrestrained war in Iraq? Republicans are trotting out immigration because it divides and foments fearfulness, in this lousy economy of their warmongering creation. They are playing to the Know Nothing crowd, and one of their instruments is The Union Leader. Another is Talk Radio, which is ideal because it is so "under the radar". They have an integrated political system, and it is as rotten as the ideas of the anti-immigrant proconsuls.
- Michael B. Del Camp, Manchester/NH

What would JESUS CHRIST do about about illegal or undocumented aliens? Would he sympathize with them? Would he detain and deport them ? Lets think?
- JD Williams, Manchester NH

I am the Grandson of Legal Immigrants from Sweden. My Grandmother insisted that her children not speak Swedish at home, only English in order that they not have an accent. She never displayed the Swedish Flag outside her home, only inside. It is time for the ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS to assimilate into the US Society or be deported.
- Russell MacDonald, Huelva, Spain

The idea that the term "illegal alien" is somehow "racist" is absurd. When we say illegal aliens are are talking about ALL ILLEGAL ALIENS, regardless of where they came from. Don't think that it's just a mexican problem either, there are a lot of illegal aliens from Ireland and various other countries that are in America and they ALL NEED TO BE DEPORTED. So let's dispense with the false charges of racism brought up by people who have no respect for the law.
- Bob Hoskins, Derry

I don't have a problem with those who want to rid our country of "crimaliens". I assume those folks are willing to pay for the effort to deport (or, as some have suggested, gather and ship the bullet-riddled corpses of) the millions of "crimaliens". My question is this: why, deep down, the fascination with the "crimaliens"? What is the #1 issue that screams for their deportation (or murder)? Loss of jobs? I'd think there would be more of an outcry toward the real culprit: moving jobs to China.
- Stephen Boyington, Chester

Personally, I am all for LEGAL immigration, being the grandchild of immigrants who, had they stayed in Europe, would have been slaughtered. I believe immigrants have contributed immeasurably to this country. I also believe that anyone who is willing to work and contribute should be welcomed with open arms, so I think our immigration policies should be much more liberal. That said, I also believe that our laws need to be enforced. People who are here illegally should not receive taxpayer-funded services, should not have the "right" to drive etc. and there should be aggressive efforts to identify and deport them. And I do not think that our language should be perverted to save their tender feelings. If they dislike being called illegal aliens or illegal immigrants, they should come here legally. And they should learn English and become integrated into our society, just as every past wave of immigrants has done.
- Cyrus, Nashville, TN

You nailed it Mark G! It's as simple as that. You are either a citizen or you are not.

I'm sick of the dems selling out our country for a vote.

And congratulations to all of you members of the politically correct gang. You have weakened our country. I'm so happy that no one is offended.

You know what? I am PROUD to be an AMERICAN and if I offend you than too bad.
- Justin, Wilton

Eric from Little Rock, 'Republicans would do a lot better of themselves by raising the bar and rejecting all talk of ethnicity and talk only of US history, culture, tradition, respect for law, and how and why those things are important. '
Hey Eric, you and your Republic friends might want to avoid history, culture, tradition, and respect for the law. You don't look too good on any of those counts. And someone from Little Rock should especially be aware of that, shouldn't they?
- Tom, Dover-Foxcroft

The Preamble to The US Constitution starts with "We the People OF THE UNITED STATES.......", not "We the people of the world". The liberals see votes and thus more power and dependents on government. Thats why the covet these crimaliens.
- Mark G., Candia

Kathy is right. I couldn't have said it better myself.
- Galen Haugh, Rigby, ID

If you or I go to Mexico, and want a driver's license, too bad. You must be documented as a Mexican citizen before doing so. Therfore, we would be illegal in Mexico. Therefore, those who came here are now illegal. Either one becomes legal, or not. If not, they must be deported. We do allow guests to come here, and welcome them.
- Nick, Jacksonville, Florida

Representative Mesa: YOU are supremely qualified to comment on the imcompetence of our government.
- Justin, Wilton, NH

Raymond Mark. Thank you for being so candid. I will keep this system in mind when you park illegally or you get a speed ticket (all lawbreakers are CRIMINALS, isn't it?).
Funny thing. In many cases people so furious about immigration probably are descendent from ILLEGAL immigrants. Do you know thtat tis debate was taking part in the early 20th century as well? That MANY of the immigrants from Ireland, Italy, Poland, Jewish, etc. were in fact illegal? There was less technology back then, so it was more difficult to track them, but it is an historic fact.
On the other hand, back then immigrating legally was quite easy: just show up at the port and pay five cents.
Now immigrating legally means: spend thousands of dollars, subject yourself to an arbitrary process that no one quite understands and, maybe, with luck, you get what you applied for.
Immigration is not a conservative vs. liberal issue. As a matter of fact is interesting to note that most of the "conservatives" opposing immigration are in fact whimps that are afraid of competing and they decide to bend a more fundametal law: the laws of the market.
As usual, they fail miserably. Taht's usually associated with socialists, not conservatives.
If they don't want to come across as racists, maybe they should start proposing the immigration laws (legal, I mean) accomodate supply and demand. What it feels now is that they keep talking about illegal immigration, but somehow they also oppose any law favoring LEGAL immigration that would accomodate the demand.
After all, with 4.5% unemployment rate, if you take out the illegals, you would have a labor shortage and probablyinflation as a result.
- Sid Beccar, Orlando Flroida

Jah, There are no rapists in the Constitution so there are no rapists, right?

A living language evolves. However, going from "illegal aliens" (aliens who are here illegally) to "undocumented workers" (workers without documents) isn't an evolution, It is just plain wrong.

If knowing this makes us idiots, more power to the idiots.
- Jim, Pelham

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB119543645830297550.html?mod=hpp_us_editors_picks

Immigration Is the Question
How '08 Hopefuls Answer Could Take Them Far, Perhaps
By JUNE KRONHOLZ
November 19, 2007; Page A6
- John K, Burlington, MA

Us Const. 14th Amend: 1. All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.

No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive
any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws. ...

The first sentence of US Const. 14th Amend. defines/specifies who/what is a US citizen/legal peson entitled to privileges/immunities/due process/equal protection of US law: All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof ...

This definition/specification, under the rules of exposition, is the de facto/continuing definition/specification of who/what is a US citizen/legal person until modified by another definiition/specification.

This definition/specification does not allow for illegal immigrants to obtain the privileges/immunities/due process/equal protection of US law nor, therefore, the medical and social/welfare services and the educatiion offered US citizens/legal persons.

We have, therefore, no obligation under the US Constitution to give illegal aliens the privileges/immunities/due process/equal protection of US law, nor driver's licenses.
- Bob Kroepel, New Durham

Representative Mesa. I don't know how you got elected, but unfortunately you did. These people are not illegal, it is their actions that are. They entered this country illegally, hence, they are illegal aliens. That is not a racist description, it is an accurate one.

I would like to see anyone who is a citizen of this Country go to any other country in this world and try to do what these illegal's have done here. If they weren't locked up or killed, they would at the very least be sent home with their bags packed. These people have no business being here and need to get out.
- Bill, Hooksett

The first thing leftists do is to pervert language so that it has the meaning they choose. Illegal aliens is the proper term. Criticizing people who choose to use the proper term, illegal aliens, is both demeaning and dehumanizing, which is what liberal always do to their enemies. Liberals like Kucinich are revealing their anti-european racism when they criticize us for speaking our own language.
- Rick, Sacramento

why do the democrats want illegals here? votes. -they don't care of we have no jobs...we'll be on welfare and who's gonna help us? why, the dems, of course...because all those rich guys who live in mansions and ride in limos driven by illegals are our heroes.
- dev rios, paterson, nj

These people just arrive on their own. They expect food and medical care. Education. Welfare and social security. And for the government to cater to them in their own language.

They are not illegal immigrants. They are invaders.
- Ronn Allard, Lee, NH 03861

Mesa brings brought up some great points about the Bush administration and big companies being reluctant to address the problem because of their contributions to the economy. They do pay taxes and get little back in return as they do not quality for welfare, unemployment and do not collect the social security they pay into. They take the jobs companies have a hard time filling and do it for very little pay and no benefits. If all of a sudden these people disappeared (as Marc suggested) the impact to the economy would be significant. This issue is not black and white as some of these readers that have no respect for humanity see it.
- Lynne, concord

Liberals want voters and CoC (Chamber of Commerce) Republicans want cheap labor. In the process America and Americans get to watch their country and culture degraded, our laws ignored and disrespected, and our motivations questioned b/c we oppose ILLEGAL entry and residence in our country.
Liberals drag out the old tactic of calling their opponents names, in this case the "racist" canard because they have no other substantive arguments. They know they have lost the white vote, the majority of it anyway, and thus need to add yet another victim group to their stable to sustain the political life of their party.
Republicans would do a lot better of themselves by raising the bar and rejecting all talk of ethnicity and talk only of US history, culture, tradition, respect for law, and how and why those things are important. The only thing that unites Democrats is their disdain for individual liberty, freedom, individual responsibility, and accountability. They are a coalition of competing interest groups continually agitating for special privileges, rights, and recognition. They are collectivists, neo-Marxists, and outright socialists.
One reason Rome collapsed was because it lost control of its borders. There is nothing but the rule of law from keeping that from happening to us.
- Eric, Little Rock

Calling people "illegals" is dehumanizing and demeaning. Which is, of course, the intention of those who use the term.
'Illegal immigrant' is better, but still incorrect. 'Illegal' is a term to describe a criminal violation.
Thus the most accurate term would be 'unlawful immigrant'. Of course, that isn't really as powerful and insulting as some might like.
As for "undocumented", that's plain silly.
- Robert, Manchester

read the Constitution.
it protects people, not citizens.
equal rights for all "people."
there is no such thing as an illegal immigrant.
you people are idiots
- jah, manchester

For JD Wms who asked "What would Jesus Christ do" - - I expect that He would say "Obey ALL my Father's Commandments", including those that order us not to "covet" and not to "steal" - - commandments that the illegal alien invaders are breaking every hour that they continue their illegal stay in the USA. JD should also recall that Jesus said to "render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's" - in other words, JD, follow the law.
- Pamela, Washington, NH

Illegal aliens have no place getting licenses or other benefits. They are illegal and do not belong in our country, period. If we allow them to break our laws then what is the point of having any laws at all? If they want to become citizens then they must do so legally, ditto with driving. If they're illegal they need to be arrested and deported.
- Bob Hoskins, Derry

Politicians (from both sides) defending people who break the law is disgraceful. I do not care if they came here illegally to work or not. We have an overburdened system (schools and social aide) for Americans as it is without adding to the problem.

There are two things that can and should be done. 1st. Deny them and (yes it is politically incorrect to say) and their children everything a citizen is entitled to (jobs, schooling, welfare, food stamps, healthcare, etc.) 2nd. Children born here by illegal parents do not get the status of citizenship either. If good parents want their children to be born in America and be a citizen; force them to do so legally. The main reasons they come here is for the American dream. Make the dream only obtainable by doing it legally and the drop in illegals will dramatically decrease.

This will help the burden on our system (and taxpayers who foot the bill) and reduce the amount of people trying to come here illegally.

These are not solutions people like to hear, but the medicine that often works the best taste the worst!
- brian, manchester

Lets just adopt Mexico's rules for illegal aliens that cross their southern border. 1st offense: they are jailed, second offense ..... they disappear. They justify their rules as National Security as should we. Lets kill 2 birds with one stone, the people of law enforcement need a place to target practice, lets put them on the border and shoot the illegals as they try to cross. I think when a few of these criminals get killed trying, the rest may think twice.
- Marc, Raymond

My company is sponsoring the immigration process for a man from India. His dream has always been to be an American citizen, and raise his family here. It's a very long and gut-wrenching process, full of uncertainty and quickly filled quotas. When I see how nervous he is about his immigration status, it absolutely infuriates me to see people defend illegal aliens, who have absolutely no respect for our laws, or our border. I understand most illegal aliens are hard-working people. But that doesn't change the fact that they are subverting our border. This is the most important domestic policy issue our country faces. They are here ILLEGALLY, therefore they are illegal aliens. And now they want to complain they're not getting social security???? Go fly a kite!
- Frank, Boston

Undocumented? What would you call a person who drives an automobile without a license? Are they 'undocumented' as well? These people broke the law and thus SHOULD be called Criminals. I find offense to the notion they all come here to work and pay taxes. Read the police log in ANY paper on ANY given day. Yep, full of hard working undocumented immigrants, aka Criminal aliens.
- J Jones, Manchester NH

Who cares what Jesus Christ would do!!! We are in America in 2007, where the left liberal America eyes are shut to the fact that there are people in countries like the Middle East who burn American flags, go to terrorist camps, and have parties when events like 9-11 happen. There are people right now thinking of ways to destroy our country. I do take offense when we have millions of "undocumented" "illegal" people in this country planning to do god knows what. If the liberal left want to start hugging every illegal that comes into this country, then lets put them up front...because with this attitude, sooner or later one of these illegals will have a bomb strapped to their chest...and I am not gonna be the one to hug them....wake up people. Its not about cheap labor, its about National Security
- mike, manchester

I have adopted a term to my lexicon from radio talk show host Jay Severin. I simply call them "Crimaliens", derived from the words "Criminal" and "Alien". I love the way that Lilly Mesa couches the issue.."its the government's fault" that these crimaliens are filtering into the country. That ought to be the laugh of the day. Never once do advocates such as she ever acknowledge the criminal act of crossing U.S. borders unlawfully. She goes right to the class warfare La Raza argument. This is one of our state reps! nice.
- Rick Olson, Manchester

To Representative Mesa- To refresh your memory, the perpetrators and supporters of the September 11 atrocities were here illegally. To JD Williams, I don't think even Jesus Christ would object to our securing our borders. I'm aware that we may need some sort of guest worker program, but what we really need are some politicians and judges who aren't afraid to enforce the law.
- Jim B, Manchester, NH

No human being is illegal, whether you like it or not! And yes, it is the result of the incompetence of our goverment. Perhaps they do not want to regulate immigration because it is not convenient for the big companies. Isn´t better if they don´t have to pay benefits,health insurance, and social security to people? Isn´t better if they employ undocumented at lower wages than the regular wage? Instead undocumented have to pay taxes and don´t get almost anything in return. It has been like that for decades. So, the question is : Where´s all the money that was never return to undocumented and was supposed to go to the Social Security? We are talking here about billions of dollars.
Is is very easy to blame everyone else for our country´s problems.
- Representative Mesa, Manchester

What would JESUS CHRIST do about about illegal or undocumented aliens?
Would he sympathize with them?
Would he detain and depot them ?
Lets think?
- JD Williams, Manchester NH

They are illegal any way you look at it. They are a disgrace to all the immigrants that worked so hard to come here legally. What a slap in the face to all of them.

I think all illegal immigrant should be sent back regardless if they have children born in this country or not and then re-enter legally if they want to be here. What makes them think they should be priviledged residents. Enter legally and I'll be the first to welcome them with open arms.
- Kathy Radford, Kingston, NH