If all the illegal immigrants were gone tomorrow

[BOSSHOG]

"Conservatives" would then bitch about the crops rotting in the fields and the unmade beds in motel rooms and they'd continue to bristle at the notion that Americans won't do those jobs. Its really hard being a "conservative." And to think, skeptics like me believe the gop is just beating this drum to get the haters to the polls in November.

[Deja Q]

1. We're all in debt right now and need our high paying jobs.

From all those commercials telling us to keep up and surpass the Jones's.

And they know that.

[earthside]

2. LEGAL Immigrants

False choice.

The issue is about a controlled, regulated, documented program for immigration. We could let as many folks into the country as is necessary to do the work. These people will then be under the jurisdiction of all our laws as would be their employers. That is, the employers have to pay worker's comp, minimum wage, FICA, comply with OSHA, etc.

On the other hand, illegal immigration is "off the books." It is uncontrolled and leads to exploitation of undocumented workers by unscrupulous employers.

And ... without limits, the uncontrolled illegal immigration (or unrestricted legal immigration) will inevitably mean a huge strain on the environment in our country and on the physical and social infrastructure. Can you imagine a U.S. of 400 million-plus people by 2030?!

You think urban sprawl is a problem now! You think drought and water restrictions in the Mountain West are bad now! Can you imagine what will happen to healthcare if we add another 100 million people to the system?

The U.S. needs to regulate and deal with its population situation -- and Mexico needs to be responsible and deal with its population situation. The U.S. cannot be the relief point for the world's excess population problem.

[BOSSHOG]

3. If there were no jobs for "illegals" they wouldn't come

In other words if no one provided them employment or if Americans did the jobs they do they'd have no reason to cross the border. I find this a more valid solution then building walls and waving the flag. But some folks are too busy building walls and waving flags to harvest produce and do all the other jobs "illegals" do. I'll be totally onboard a win-win solution.

[MADem]

5. Round up a hundred of those slave-wage paying employers

Fine 'em a hundred grand, and jail them for a year. Then, round up a few a day. Inside of six months, the 'problem' would be solved. Mexicans and others who come from south of the border, China, and elsewhere, aren't here for the food, the fun or the great welcome. They're here for the cash, and only the cash.

But then, the private security firms and wall-building contractors wouldn't get rich, would they?

[High Plains]

7. Hell, why not just execute 'em? Gotta love the punishist posse.

[MADem]

8. If the regime kills off the employers, they'll kill off their cash cows

They need the dough they get from those lawbreakers...who are, per BushCo, somehow less evil than the fence-jumping type of lawbreaker...

[unlawflcombatnt]

12. Great Idea

I'm with you 100%. Start prosecuting employers and we won't have a problem with illegal immigration.

You're right about fences. The only "fences" that will work are the ones we put employers behind who hire illegal immigrants.

[madrchsod]

4. who would mow their lawns....

who would take care of their palaces of commerce?

[Nederland]

6. More importantly

If they kick all the illegals out, who would build their fucking little wall?

[MADem]

9. Halliburton, with imported labor from southeast Asia!!! n/t

[Solon]

10. More importantly, nothing would change wage wise. n/t

[Minnesota Libra]

11. We can have as many immigrants as we want and/or need....................

....the issue is not the immigrants, the issue is between LEGAL immigrants and ILLEGAL aliens. Legal versus illegal that the issue - not immigrants themselves.