[Winona] those jobs all would have been filled regardless

[Susan Brown]

I had tried to send this a few days ago and it didn't go through because it was too large I guess, so I'll try again--

The original message that was shared was to focus on Mexican immigrants, although they never really stated that--I think anyone who reads this understands the intent.  I get very nervous when I start to see an attempt to single out any one race in particular.  

I guess, maybe you (all in the debate) need to answer the question of what you consider an "illegal immigrant" and asking yourself if this is just about the issue, or the person?  Is there someone in particular you picture?  Are you referring to undocumented immigrants? People who entered legally on visas and overstayed? People escaping persecution?  Are some okay? Some not? All not acceptable? What do you picture when you think of an "illegal immigrant?"  How about your ancestry? 

"Until 1994 the debate over immigration focused on what the INS calls illegal aliens, particularly those slipping across the Mexican border, even though a larger number of undocumented residents arrived legally and overstayed their visas. "
http://www.immigration-usa.com/debate.html

I understand the issues are complex, if you look at the article posted above, I think they touch on just about every area of the debate, including the differing political motivations.  

"Immigration into the U.S. is an issue that makes for strange bedfellows. Supporters of current immigration levels include corporate interests that profit from cheap foreign labor, ethnic lobbies seeking to increase their political base, and religious activists, humanitarians, and civil libertarians who focus on human rights and other ethical concerns. Opponents include nativists who view non-European immigrants as a threat to American culture, environmentalists who dread immigration-fueled population growth, and labor advocates who fear that immigration is taking jobs from U.S. citizens and depressing U.S. wages. On the right of the political spectrum, free marketers square off against cultural conservatives. On the left, civil rights and ethnic advocacy groups oppose environmentalists and job protectionists."

I lean towards the civil libertarian, humanitarian side --- I think we have plenty to share.

By the way, when they are referring to immigrants it includes all (documented and undocumented, there are many families where the children are the only "legal" citizens).  Looking at other sources, I could not find many that showed somehow they are draining social services.  Most sources to show that they contribute more monetarily than they will ever expect to receive, and...

"Undocumented immigrants are not eligible for public assistance."  http://communityresourcebank.org/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=378

In regards to the language issue--I think it is incorrect to assume that people are not trying to learn English.  In my experience, I have never encountered that.  Having bilingual signs, I believe, is a positive attempt to recognize the large population of immigrants that we have, people who are trying to become a part of our country but have yet to master the language.  

Susan Brown
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