Governor Rick Perry and Illegal Immigration: Jobs, Benefits, and Federal Policy
by Chuck DeVoreLast week’s Republican Presidential debate confirmed one thing: Texas Governor Rick Perry’s main challenge in winning the Republican nomination will be his ability to explain his record on illegal immigration as governor vs. what he proposes to do about it as President.
Perry’s opponents have hit him for signing in 2001 the nation’s first law allowing illegal immigrants to get the in-state tuition break that other Texans who attended high school in-state receive. Four lawmakers out of 181 voted against the bill, as Perry has pointed out, making the bill uncontroversial at the time. (Note: as a California lawmaker from 2004 to 2010, I consistently voted against expanding benefits to illegal immigrants.)
Today, 12,138 illegal immigrant students pay in-state tuition in Texas, about one percent of all Texas college students. By comparison, the Department of Homeland Security estimates that 7.0% of Texas residents are in the nation illegally.
Gov. Perry has pointed out more than once, and with a degree of exasperation, that Texas has spent $400 million of its own taxpayers’ money on border security, hiring additional Texas Rangers to better secure the border. Perry has also defended his insistence that a fence not be built along the entirety of Texas’ 1,969 mile border with Mexico, citing the fact that a river runs along the border through some very remote and rugged terrain that is best secured with “boots on the ground” and “aviation assets.” I have to agree with Perry on this one, building a fence along a river is costly while the river itself will constantly undermine the fence’s footings. In addition, Gov. Perry’s Texas has passed a law that requires a photo ID to vote (only 13 other states have photo ID laws on the books) and illegal immigrants cannot obtain a driver’s license in Texas (11 states issue driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants, including Sarah Palin’s Alaska).
Dismissing Texas’ own border security efforts, Perry’s opponents have focused on the in-state tuition, calling the law a magnet for illegal immigration. Theoretically, that’s true. But does it actually impact an illegal immigrant’s decision about what state they may decide to live in? I find it hard to believe a 22-year-old man from central Mexico is going to say to himself, “Hey, I’m going to move to California or Texas because, when my two children become college age in 17 years, I can save some tuition money.” Rather, the decision to break U.S. law more likely comes down to the availability of jobs and the seriousness with which the Federal government secures the border.
To test this proposition, it is instructive to see where illegal immigrants live in the U.S. According to the Department of Homeland Security, the largest illegal immigrant population by state in 2010 was:
California: 2,570,000
Texas: 1,770,000
Florida: 760,000
Illinois: 490,000
Arizona: 470,000
Georgia: 460,000
New York: 460,000
North Carolina: 390,000
New Jersey: 370,000
Nevada: 260,000
As one would expect, larger states have larger illegal immigrant populations, and larger states on the border with Mexico have an even larger illegal immigrant population.
But, how do these statistics compare to the size of the state? What percentage of the state’s population is composed of illegal immigrants?
Nevada: 9.6% illegal
Arizona: 7.4% illegal
Texas: 7.0% illegal
California: 6.9% illegal
Georgia: 4.7% illegal
New Jersey: 4.2% illegal
North Carolina: 4.1% illegal
Florida: 4.0% illegal
Illinois: 3.8% illegal
New York: 2.4% illegal
National average: 3.5% illegal
Next, let’s compare the state’s system of welfare benefits to illegal immigrants as well as the state’s in-state tuition policy.
Nevada: 9.6% illegal; low welfare, no in-state tuition
Arizona: 7.4% illegal; low welfare, no in-state tuition
Texas: 7.0% illegal; low welfare, in-state tuition
California: 6.9% illegal; high welfare, in-state tuition
Georgia: 4.7% illegal; low welfare, no in-state tuition
New Jersey: 4.2% illegal; high welfare, no in-state tuition
North Carolina: 4.1% illegal; low welfare, no in-state tuition
Florida: 4.0% illegal; low welfare, no in-state tuition
Illinois: 3.8% illegal; high welfare, in-state tuition
New York: 2.4% illegal; high welfare, in-state tuition
This analysis tells us that the states with the highest percentage of illegal immigrants, Nevada and Arizona, don’t use many state resources to assist them while Illinois, with an average number of illegal immigrants, and New York, with a below-average number of illegal immigrants, are the most generous. Thus, data suggests that state assistance to illegal immigrants isn’t much of a magnet. Other factors must be at work here.
Demand for labor is the driver, with illegal immigrants concentrating in the construction, hospitality, and agriculture sectors. Until recently, both Nevada and Arizona were experiencing housing booms and 27% of Nevada workers labor in the hospitality industry. On the other end of the ledger, both New York and Illinois experienced very little population growth; therefore, saw few construction jobs relative to other states.
Lastly, it’s interesting to compare these states’ tax policies to their illegal immigration populations:
The Tax Foundation’s 2011 State Business Tax Climate Index ranks the states with the largest illegal immigrant population as follows:
Nevada: 9.6% illegal; 4th most-competitive tax policy
Arizona: 7.4% illegal; 34th most-competitive tax policy
Texas: 7.0% illegal; 13th most-competitive tax policy
California: 6.9% illegal; 49th most-competitive tax policy
Georgia: 4.7% illegal; 25th most-competitive tax policy
New Jersey: 4.2% illegal; 48th most-competitive tax policy
North Carolina: 4.1%; 41st most-competitive tax policy
Florida: 4.0% illegal; 5th most-competitive tax policy
Illinois: 3.8% illegal; 23rd most-competitive tax policy
New York: 2.4% illegal; 50th most-competitive tax policy
Perhaps it isn’t a coincidence that Nevada, the state with the most attractive business tax policy on the list, has the highest percentage of illegal immigrants, while New York, the state with the worst tax policies in the entire nation, would have the fewest illegal immigrants as a percentage of its population.
It shouldn’t be a shock to conservatives that, just like the wealthy, illegal immigrants respond to state taxes and the impact those taxes have on the economy.
Perhaps if Governor Perry worked to pass a Texas state income tax, the illegal immigrant population there would plummet (of course, he’d have an even bigger challenge in winning the Republican nomination as a tax-hiker).
This brings us to a final observation. Other than raising taxes to the bone-crushing New York level, just how much can a state do in the realm of illegal immigration, a basic Federal responsibility? The answer appears to be not much, given Arizona’s high-profile efforts at curbing illegal immigration and given that Arizona’s per capita illegal immigrant population is greater than that of all states except Nevada.
Having served as a governor is excellent preparation for being President. That said, a governor has different responsibilities than does a President.
Rather than focusing on what education bill Perry signed into law in 2001, Republicans should be more concerned about what policies their prospective nominee has today on immigration, both legal and illegal. Do they approve of an amnesty on the scale of the 1986 amnesty that many Reagan Administration veterans later viewed as a huge error? Do they want to change an H-1B visa program that business sees as a way to keep technical labor costs down but that many highly-skilled American workers see as undermining their ability to earn a good living? How do they propose to better secure the border, and can they do it without eroding Americans’ liberty? These are proper questions for those who would be President and the sooner we can move beyond “gotcha” debate moments and into substantive policy discussion, the better.
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156 Comments
The whole illegal immigrant thing is a huge albatross around his neck and a total deal breaker with me. I live in a freaking sanctuary state and will have nothing to do with any candidate that panders to them. Cain's my man after this.
You make some good points, but I can't get past giving $100,000 in tuition breaks to someone you KNOW is in the country illegally. If you know they're here illegally, you send them back, end of story. The more I see of Mr Cain, the more I like him. His message is short and simple, because government's role in American's lives was originally intended to be limited…something we've apparently lost sight of. Mr Cain seems to one of the few left who understand that government is only supposed to PROTECT our rights, not grant them, as Bummer and all his followers believe.
HE'S STILL WRONG.
Stop the damned spinning. I don't have a heart because I don't believe in giving money to people who are here illegally? Screw 'im. I'm pretty sure his moment of opportunity came and went, and I'm not shedding any tears over it.
Illegal immigration have literally buried the state of California.
Anybody that can't see that, had better get a heart, and brain….
Wow I hope Big Gov is not promoting this NWO stooge…. god help us.. NO TO PERRY. NO NO NO NO NO!!!!!
Agree!
Who do you support, Ron Paul?
As a California lawmaker for six years who consistently voted against taxpayer money to assist those here illegally, I agree. But the point of my piece, and the data backs it up, is that the states deal with Federal failure to control our borders and that state benefits don't appear to have a significant bearing on where illegal immigrants go — otherwise, they wouldn't be in Arizona and Nevada while flooding New York and Illinois.
Wait for it! All of the Pauliwogs will be rude and hateful to Mr. Devore in 5, 4, 3, 2……..
Mr. Devore,
I'm glad you decided to keep posting articles on Big Government. I am shocked you came back considering the way you were treated last time.
Personally, I hope Perry gets the nomination.
God should be capitalized.
For now it's between Paul and Cain. I know you hate Paul and you'll probably want to call me a Godless heathen or something, but save it. I'll likely support whoever the Republican nominee is simply because we have to get rid of Obama. That doesn't mean I have to like it, though.
And like I've said before, I'm giving the Republicans one more chance. If we have a Republican president who governs as a wishy-washy status quo Republican instead of a limited government constitutionalist, I'll be done with the party for good.
If someone's going to drive the country off a cliff at 50 mph instead of 100, he isn't really doing us any favors.
It's called PUSH BACK. And until our politicians stop coddling and start pushing back illegal aliens will keep coming.
You have to make the crime pay.
The fear of getting caught is minimal. The fear of getting sent home once you are caught is minimal. What's the downside to someone who makes more money in a day here than in a month in their third world country?
Fools say it's against the law for them to get social services, yet Obama's aunt lived in Section 8 housing. When she was caught, she then got a green card.
We'd better muster the political will to deport or things will just get worse. Gallup Poll suggests that 165 million people want to live HERE, not their homeland.
Already ONE THIRD of all foreign-born are here illegally. Do you think we have a problem? Do you think we're on the right path to fix it?
God bless Herman Cain and Michele Bachmann for suggesting more enforcement beyond "Build the dang fence."
I can't help but laugh that the same rubes that praised Perry as the savior of the nation without knowing anything about him are now suddenly concerned that he's not conservative enough. Way to finally come around!
Thankfully my State isn't on the list but we still, unfortunately, have them living here and much to our collective dismay. There are certain parts of cities you simply avoid because it more resembles little mexico and isn't safe from the drug dealers.
The other day I asked where Sarah Palin stood on immigration enforcement.
The answer may surprise you. http://alienrants.blogspot.com/2011/06/where-do-t...
And I detest the cat-and-mouse game candidates play on this issue. Herman Cain deserves praise for speaking out on the issues. http://alienrants.blogspot.com/2011/06/at-least-o...
Don't tell me the issue doesn't matter. It does!
No one is "giving" them anything. They're still paying out of pocket for their education. Your rant only serves to make you look racist. If you don't want illegals in the country…blame OBAMA! It's HIS job to secure the borders…not Perry. Like it or not, those people live IN his State and the legislature of Texas overwhelmingly support the measure.
There is such a thing as going too far, and you're on the wrong side of the line on this one.
Anyone frothing at the mouth over something this trivial can not be reasoned with and certainly isn't interested in respecting God.
Governor Rick Perry (R-Texas) has pointed to job growth in Texas during the current economic downturn as one of his main accomplishments. But analysis of Current Population Survey (CPS) data collected by the Census Bureau show that immigrants (legal and illegal) have been the primary beneficiaries of this growth since 2007, not native-born workers. This is true even though the native-born accounted for the vast majority of growth in the working-age population (age 16 to 65) in Texas. Thus, they should have received the lion’s share of the increase in employment. As a result, the share of working-age natives in Texas holding a job has declined in a manner very similar to the nation a whole.
Among the findings:
•Of jobs created in Texas since 2007, 81 percent were taken by newly arrived immigrant workers (legal and illegal).
•In terms of numbers, between the second quarter of 2007, right before the recession began, and the second quarter of 2011, total employment in Texas increased by 279,000. Of this, 225,000 jobs went to immigrants (legal and illegal) who arrived in the United States in 2007 or later.
Read more at: http://www.cis.org/immigrants-filled-most-new-job...
Deportation without secured borders is like trying to bail out a boat with a screen door in it with a thimble!
They're almost as stupid as you are…just not the way you think. They were foolish to withdraw their support over the idle gossip of ninnies. You, on the other hand, are just a moron in general.
"I'm giving the Republicans one more chance."
You ever stop to think that it might be THEM who's giving YOU one more chance? Don't sit there and tell me you have no responsibility in all of this! Your decades of apathy are as responsible for this as their malfeasance. Being awake now does not excuse all those years you were sleeping.
Wrong. Strong interior enforcement will reverse the flow.
Border security is important, but way overblown. And it masks all the other questions. Michael Steele used to say, "Let's secure the border first, and then we can talk about those already here." It's a smokescreen.
Border security is not a panacea because:
1) It is too large a task for Washington to handle in a timely manner.
2) Something like 40% don't use the border. They use a visa.
3) We don't want to isolate ourselves from commerce and tourism. A sealed border might as well be an iron curtain.
Good border security needs to be mobile and respond to changing routes. Detect warm bodies moving and get agents there fast. That's a sensible deterrent.
Tougher interior enforcement is effective even if the border is not sealed.
Perhaps the best enforcement strategy would be to make unlawful presence a felony and start prosecuting at the county jail level.
EACH illegal alien given college admission DIRECTLY DISPLACES a citizen student at that college.
Worse, the illegal alien gets tuition paid by citizen-taxpayers AND gets preferential admission as a minority.
I want Rick Perry to visit the families of each student displaced by a illegal alien, and look them in the eye and tell them why that illegal alien's "dream" is more important to the State of Texas than the dream of that Texas citizen.
It is very difficult to get into a Texas state university, even without having illegal aliens cut in line ahead of U.S. citizens.
That is morally outrageous. It directly punishes U.S. citizens in favor of foreigners here illegally … and then we are lectured that we are "heartless".
That is why people are angry with Rick Perry.
"Your decades of apathy are as responsible for this as their malfeasance."
I've only been able to vote for a decade and a half, and before that I was far from apathetic when it came to politics. I've been pissed at the Republican Party longer than most people on here, so I don't need to be lectured by you. I'm sure you were one of the deniers during the Bush years, one of the many Republicans who turned a blind eye to the fact that he grew the government by over a third.
You're obviously still asleep.
If true, what sort of impact do you suppose giving people unemployment pay for 99 weeks has on this? If Americans are incentivized not to move in search of work then it may make logical sense that immigrants, with fewer ties to a region are more willing to move to work.
"Your rant only serves to make you look racist."
Now that's funny! Oh wait, you're serious? Good grief.
Is that all you can do, insult people? Why is that? Didn't you get enough cuddle time as a kid?
I now see where those on the Left get the idea that the Tea Party is full of racists. Any time logic is ignored in favor of hateful populist rhetoric against a targeted group, the natural conclusion is going to be racism.
This is not the first time in US history that "Americans" have targeted Mexicans for persecution because of the economy. The last time it happened (1930's), the issue of marijuana was used to deport them and ban pot.
I read these comments and I see eerie similarities to the rise of the Third Reich. Never underestimate the stupidity of people in large numbers. History doesn't repeat itself…but it does rhyme.
Says the guy who claims to be a christian but practices hate-speech. GadsdenGurl has been very consistent in her beliefs, and she's got the boots on the ground time to back it up–in other words, she's actually working toward restoring America. She deserves respect. You don't need to agree with her.
"the illegal alien gets tuition paid by citizen-taxpayers"
That is an outright lie. Outside of merit-based scholarships, they are still paying for their own education. Telling this monstrous lie is nothing short of hate mongering and you should be ashamed of yourself for engaging in such activities.
Are you really going to say that people who believe we shouldn't be over-run with illegal aliens draining the United States dry are the same as Nazis? Is that really how you want to be?
Wow.
Skippy–you're painting with a brush that's so broad I'm shocked you can even heft it. Decades of apathy? Most of us have worked hard over our lives. Just because you suddenly figured it out….
Yeah…so not wanting to have to pay for illegals getting things we native born people can't get is racist? What kind of liberal moby are you actually?
Nice try, very well done. Now you hear us, we dont want illegal aliens in our country. Remember "this will be the last amnesty" , "they will never be a public charge" ? Now we have 30 million illegal aliens that we are forced to provide for. And any presidential candidate that even hints at any sympathy for illegal aliens over American citizens is done. What Perry said has absolutely nothing to do with tuition attracting illegal aliens. It is his position of pro-illegal immigration, do you hear that?
So all you pundits ands bloggers out there trying to soften what Perry said might as well save their effort. We have been screwed for so long and we are not going to take it anymore.
Bottom line…Perry's Texas is creating jobs when almost no one else is. You need to re-focus. Do you want to hate on Mexicans, or do you want a job? Which do you want more? What cost are you willing for this country to pay in order to get what you want? And who's job does the Constitution say it is to secure our national borders? The FEDERAL government.
You stop illegal immigration and in state tuition for illegals ceases to be an issue. Blame it on OBAMA.
Yeah. The German citizens never saw it coming either until it was too late to stop it. No one spoke up. The few who did were shouted down or beaten down (sound familiar, Comrade?). At least my conscience is clear. Glenn Beck warned against this very thing over two years ago. Idiots just like you will be responsible for making it happen if it happens at all.
LOL. There's a huge difference between not wanting illegal aliens to be a huge drain and being a racist, and there's a huge difference between that and nazism.
You just called everyone who posts here a nazi. That's disgusting.
I'd rather have no heart than no brain.
How do you reconcile what you just said against the fact that he speaks of "putting boots on the ground and assets in the air on the southern border", or the fact that he has allocated over $400,000,000.00 of Texas taxpayers monies to border security?
These are indisputable facts. To ignore them in favor of smearing the man out of a desire to rid the country of 30 million Mexicans can only be viewed as racist.
Yes…we have an immigration problem in this country.
No…you're not helping with your current attitude.
Yes…I know I sound like Juan Williams…sometimes even Juan gets Juan right.
Go tell it to someone who cares. I'm not interested in your opinion at all. You're an idiot and a liar. Not to mention a waste of my time.
Thanks for the interesting stats. I was wondering how many states allow children of illegals to attend their colleges. I just saw that NH is about to allow children of illegals to attend their colleges at the in-state fee level (where they qualify as in-state residents). I would love to see a complete list of all of the states that currently allow children of illegals to attend their state colleges.
This is a tough issue. If these kids (who have been drug here by their parents) are not allowed to get a college education and pursue a meaningful career……. how will they ever become TAX PAYING productive citizens. Will they just end up on the dole? Will they go into criminal activity? I think the each state should find the best approach for themselves.
I do know that we need to secure our border. NO illegals should be getting in at this point.
The funny part is–you're the one who's always wrong–and shown to be wrong.
You called us all Nazis. That's disgusting. Don't try to weasel out of it like a sissy.
Oh, wait. I forgot who I was talking to.
He speaks once he decides to run for POTUS and realizes he's gonna get killed over it.
I like Perry. But on this–he's wrong. And so are you.
Stereotype much? I think we ought to be able to discuss this issue without dragging it down to the basest emotional level, don't you? Some folks consider that type of rhetoric racist.
Why do you keep following me around? Isn't there a child somewhere you should be molesting? A gay rights parade to march in? Some soldiers funeral to protest? Really…go back to your life.
Our government's illegal alien policy is a result of Marxism.
Destroy the US Middle class by having illegal aliens take the manual labor jobs.
Too much of a good thing is always bad. For you, tea has become as mind rotting as the Koolaid you rail against. You've abandoned reason for emotion and told yourself it was the right thing to do. That's sad.
Very simply,
When Perry said that whoever didn't think that illegal alien kids shouldn't get in-state tuition is HEARTLESS, he insulted millions of conservatives. And despite the sound of their last name? That is simply code for RACSIM.
So now anyone who does not agree with him is a HEARTLESS RACIST. SCREW HIM. We have paid DEARLY for illegal immigration in this country. It was forced on us. We as taxpayers HAVE NO STANDING IN COURT. But illegal aliens who are not the same color as me can claim DISCRIMINATION. (even though the majority are causcasion.)
So to conclude, "any presidential candidate that even hints at any sympathy for illegal aliens over American citizens is done. "
And why is that? Because "our representatives" have lied to us for YEARS on this issue and we are sick of it, sick of being the world's whipping boy, and sick of being taken advantage of and asked to bend over and like it. If
you want to see the gratitude of illegal aliens do some research.
ps illegal aliens cant work in this country legally, so what do they need to go to college for?
ps I like Herman Cain so take your racism accusations and shove it.
Are you calling me a child molester? Really? I disagree with you so I must be a child molester? LOL. You're funny, son!
What's the matter? You don't like it? You've done it to me 2-3 times now. You don't like it when the shoe is on the other foot it seems, so you have to strike out like a frustrated child.
So…you think everyone who disagrees with you is a racist and even a nazi, but you have no problem spreading hate in reverse.
Dude, that's wrong.
It's evil and it's wrong.
"If you know they're here illegally, you send them back, end of story."
No. It's NOT the end of the story. Deportation is the Constitutionally assigned duty of the FEDERAL GOVERNMENT…not the various States. And we all know that if the States detain them and turn them over to ICE, they just turn them loose again! How ANYONE can blame that situation on a State Governor is beyond me.
You're just looking for a Judas, and illegals are your scapegoat to that end. Smearing a good man's reputation doesn't even affect your conscience, does it? That tells me far more about you than it does him.
You again? *yawns*
http://dailycaller.com/2011/09/06/perry-on-immigr...
Perry even supports the guest worker program, and he was against the Arizona bill. He was against a state trying to enforce the law. Think about that.
So, you want us to ignore Perry's softness on illegal immigration because the policy he passed doesn't happen to be one that does a good job of attracting illegals to that particular state? Um, no. I don't want a president who thinks I have no heart because I don't want to give taxpayer money to the children of people who broke the DAMN LAW to be here! So, I say no to Perry. Get rid of him and the other two RINOs, Romney and Huntsman.
LOL! That's something I said to you a couple of days ago when you were stalking me around.
Here's the thing: I'm actually making comments about the issues, not just attacking you, which is something you seem incapable of doing.
"You called us all Nazis."
See? This is why I say you're a congenital liar and an idiot! I never said that.
If you're too stupid to see the difference between "I see eerie similarities" and "you're a Nazi", then there is no hope for you…but then I already knew that.
Now run along and master debate with someone else, moron.
Even Perry's Lt. Gov thinks it's wrong:
http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2011/09/27/lt-gov-b...
Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, who is running for the U.S. Senate and appears to be shoring up his conservative credentials before next year’s primary, said he would not have approved in-state tuition rates at state universities for certain illegal immigrants had he been governor in 2001. The legislation, which Mr. Perry signed that year and has defended since, could help Mr. Perry woo Latino voters in his bid to become president, but it’s giving him credibility problems with some conservatives. Mr. Dewhurst became lieutenant governor in 2003.
What kind of jobs? Jobs anyone can live on?
It's Barry now. It was Bush before–and Perry is worse than GWB.
Oooh! Splitting hairs!
It sounds like "it depends on what the definition of "is" is"
LMAO!
But keep trying to backpedal from what was really a disgusting comment. You're such a weasel.
HOME SCHOLERS FOR PERRY!!
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-a...
That might be a minimally colorable argument but for a little problem: Federal law explicitly forbids just what Texas did. “An alien who is not lawfully present in the United States,” declares Section 505 of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 (IIRIRA), “shall not be eligible on the basis of residence within a State . . . for any postsecondary education benefit unless a citizen or national of the United States is eligible for such a benefit (in no less an amount, duration, and scope) without regard to whether the citizen or national is such a resident.”
http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/278242/rick-...
Take off your ass hat for a second and think about what YOU just said. There is nothing wrong at all with the guest worker program and Perry was correct not to support the Arizona law. He didn't support it because he knows it's the Fed's job according to the Constitution!
You DO believe in the Constitution, don't you?
OOOH!!!!! Tony hates the Constitution!!!!! He's a Communist!!!!
See, dumb ass? Anyone can play your idiotic games.
FYI? The dailycaller is a far left wing rag! Good to know where you get your opinions from, comradski.
yawn
Wouldn't you liberals love to pick our candidate for us.
Ain't going to happen.
yawns at mindless babbling from cyber-stalker
Indeed.
You lose again son.
So you're in favor of illegal immigration and in favor of giving illegals everything they want but you think the DC is a far left rag? LOL.
Ooh! Comradski! You're so cutting! Did you think of that yourself?
You do remember that the Arizona law was actually calling for the feds to enforce the law, right? You're aware of that?
Uh huh.
LOL! You can dish it huh?
Illegal aliens cost American's money, jobs, education and health care. There is absolutly NO WAY to put a nice face on this RIP OFF, that should not be happening and which can be solved!
And There's been far too many Texans holding the White House over the years–Johnson,and two Bushes. There is the rest of the nation. There's nothing cruel or in-humane about sending a Mexican here illegally back to Mexico because Mexico is his or her home.
I believe George W. lost the election chances for the GOP by being too soft on illegal immigration for too long and Perry would be a repeat offender to please "moderates" (and be a one term germ). What's in the drinking water in the once great state of Texas?
Sorry L4s, it's one of the first rules of capitalization I learned.
I think you need to live near the border to understand it. Or read "The Reaper's Line" by Lee Morgan. Then you will understand what a huge problem we have. However, try to overstay your visa in South America by a day and you will be jailed.
After these lightening sweeps in northern Nevada in September, ICE agents raided 11 McDonald’s restaurants and arrested dozens of workers. On August 30, (ICE) agents converged at a supermarket parking lot in Maywood, California. Hundreds of sweeps have been conducted, under President Obama's presidency, but currently these sweeps are only being ordered to–ONLY–arrest and deport criminal elements. An executive order adverse to the US Constitution was signed allowing allegedly for people without records to be released on the streets again.
With so many illegal aliens squatting here, we must be very attentive in Future election cycles. It has been proven with no room for doubt that hundreds of thousands of foreigners voted in the midterm election. Fraudulent registrations and criminals providing absentee ballots will do our Democracy harm and as yet the federal government has not demanded a mandatory ID identification for “Citizens” Voting. ACORN, that was supposedly disbanded and yet alive and well, under assumed business names was a mastermind in cheating the system, on behalf of the Democrats.
We must return our country to a zero-tolerance policy, that doesn't deport just criminals, but every person who cannot prove he has a right to live and work in the United States. THIS IS WHY WE NEED A CONGRESS THAT WILL AMEND OUR IMMIGRATION LAWS, MAKING UNLAWFUL ENTRY A STRICT FELONY. These simple commentaries cannot hope to supplement the information contained at NumbersUSA, Judicial Watch and American patrol websites. The web contains thousands of grass root organization that can assistant you in your search for the truth, not the engineered information publicized by the Liberal backed press.
Why do Farmers and large industrial agriculturist appose E-Verify? For years since the "Bracero program" was eliminated in 1964, they have had unfettered recruitment of illegal workers; a convenient way of hiring people to work the land. With E-Verify, every worker must be verified and cannot be exploited for wages, health treatments or conditions as it’s always been asserted. The agrarian community will no longer be able to drop off an injured or sick worker at the emergency room, leaving the uninsured for taxpayers to pick up the bill.
Could you please tell me what you are referring to? Are you taking drugs, or do you think you are commenting on another post? "[I]dle gossip of ninnies"?
American is broke, busted, so how can we imprudently repeat the same old performance of bringing in one million legal immigrants a year? How can we substantiate this, when we have a rising unemployment rate for average Americans of all races? This is not even counting the 20 million plus illegal aliens who are already here. It occurs to me and a good portion of the lawful populace, that illegal immigrants are receiving a better deal than lawful Americans. Its beyond most people’s comprehension that entitlements being collected by illegal aliens, were diverted to our Social Security fund, could make a difference to senior’s life’s; the homeless, the sick, veterans and towards the U.S. Treasury deficit. Just take a look of Rick Perry providing illegal alien student taxpayer tuition, when US citizens Out-of-State must pay full fees in Texas? Perry also disapproved of constructing the fence, which most certainly all RINO’s object to; they need those discount illegal laborers.
Dr. Steve Camarota at the Center for Immigration Studies finds that 81% of the jobs created in Rick Perry's Texas between the years 2007 and 2011 went to newly-arrived immigrants. Something is seriously wrong here, but it will never change in the deep seated GOP members or the far left or Democratic leadership. The only chance of a different path to America's rebirth is to stifle the powerful influences of both political parties and their campaign contributors. The TEA PARTY has a massive growing membership with real new ideas, such as moving back education to the states; dismantle the federal government to its original purpose as in the living Constitution.
Scrap and draft a new fair Tax code as expressed by businessman Herman Cain, who is a very elegant orator and has a real plan for America. Cain also promises to enforce immigration laws, build the double layer fence with no endorsement of another amnesty. I am sure TEA PARTY leading voice of Cain would approve of is Rep.Lamar Smith's mandated E-Verify bill H.R. 2885, known as the “Legal Workforce Act." would reduce the illegal aliens stealing through our porous border. This would also cause a reduction of numbers cutting-back significantly on family members coming here, as if the illegal bread winner cannot get settled and find a job; why bother.
E-Verify will join the highly controversial "Secure Communities", The Halt Act (Hinder the Administration's Legalization Temptation Act), The Save Act (The Secure America with Verification and Enforcement Act) and the 287 G police laws that are as necessary as authorized restraint against the decades of abandonment. When nationwide E-verify becomes law, then it will strengthen the state laws of Arizona, Georgia, Alabama and those who want to save their states from—ECONOMIC—illegal immigrants and migrants.
Then we have an escalation of whistle' Blowers who are connecting with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)'s Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) division at 1-866-DHS-2ICE (866-347-2423). SEE SOMETHING? DO SOMETHING? With no questions asked about personal information, you can contact ICE and inform agents about your suspicions of foreign nationals working illegally in the USA. This is a sure way to aid your fellow Americans, who cannot get a job. Yet we have seen on many occasions unemployed Americans flocking to suddenly open jobs, where illegal aliens have been apprehended and detained by ICE.
What does "hate on Mexicans" mean? The Federal government will not secure our borders. Fortunately, others will–in my state.
What is false about the tuition issue? You have no clue whatsoever.
You are ignorant and stupid. Operation Wet Back 1954. It was started after a New York Times (yes, that NYT) wrote: "The rise in illegal border-crossing by Mexican 'wetbacks' to a current rate of more than 1,000,000 cases a year has been accompanied by a curious relaxation in ethical standards extending all the way from the farmer-exploiters of this contraband labor to the highest levels of the Federal Government."
So tell us, L4S–since you're on record as being against the Arizona bill because immigration is a federal issue etc etc…how do you feel knowing that your hero wants to give free tuition to illegals in violation of federal law?
What's your weasel excuse for this one?
DON'T VOTE FOR RICK PERRY.
I keep trying to warn you folks on here. He's called Slick Rick for a reason. The man is nothing more than a media creation. Every time I hear about his "swagger" and "cowboy boots" I want to vomit. If you vote for Rick Perry you are voting for an image, and you are no better than the idiots who voted for Hussein. But hey, if you want "Anybody But Obama" you will get just that.
"Personally, I hope Perry gets the nomination. "
You shouldn't. You really shouldn't. The media has chosen him and Romney as the "front runners" for a reason. If you vote for Rick Perry you will be very disappointed. But hey, if you just want "Anybody But Obama", then you'll get just that.
Interesting, thanks. I didn't know that.
Mr. De Vore-You are one of my favorite politicians. I was willing to overlook Perry's immigration views because of his overall history as Governor. However, telling me I am heartless because I disagree with him, means that Perry will not be able to represent me. And frankly, I'm tired of politicians that want me to send money but are not willing to respect or accept that my idea might be based on fact and experience. He is not out yet. Be he sure is down.
Haven't those immigrants paid property and sales taxes and other fees that are used to help fund the state colleges and universities? In-state tuition rates are a realization that residents have pre-paid part of the tuition, not a welfare program.
How are you "giving them money"? Haven't those people paid property taxes, sales taxes and other fees which help fund state run colleges and universities (especially in TX where there is no income tax)?
"forced to provide for"
I think you have a fundamental misunderstanding. You believe that illegals pay no taxes of any kind. Unfortunately that's simply not true. Illegals immigrants still pay sales taxes, property taxes and many other fees. There are also a decent number of them that pay income taxes, social security and Medicare taxes too (http://reason.org/news/show/122411.html).
The only time in which they could be considered completely leeching off the system is when they first come here and are looking for a job. The solution to that is a worker-visa program which matches employees with employers prior to the immigration, ensuring the immigrant has a job before they cross the border. This continued xenophobia by conservatives (and many liberals) is not conducive to fixing the problem.
And if you vote for anybody just because you like them, you'll get Obama for four more years.
So illegal immigrants pay absolutely nothing into the system? They are nothing but a drain on this country? Are you sure you don't want to fact check your statement? Oh wait… I already did. And you're wrong.
http://reason.org/news/show/122411.html
And did YOU forget that law enforcement would have been open to being sued if they were shown NOT to check immigration status? That is what Perry objected to, and he was correct…as usual.
By the way…what is the status of that "law"? For that matter, why have we not heard a peep out of Jan Brewer in over a year now? What's up with that?
Do you have any facts to back up your statement that illegals cost Americans "money, jobs, education and health care"? Illegals pay more in taxes than you think
This is probably not the right board and topic to try to apply logic and reason to. Apparently, no one wants to hear it. Personally, I agree. Tuition is a residency issue…not an immigration issue.
You know the funny part about you're entire rant — it's wrong!. Illegals who are here, especially in TX where there is no income tax, pay property taxes, sales taxes, and all manner of other fees, fees which go towards operating the state in which they live, including funding the state colleges and universities.
In fact, there are also a great number of "illegal immigrants" that pay social security taxes, medicare taxes and *gasp* income taxes. Perhaps it would be good to know the facts before you waste your time writing a rant like that.
http://reason.org/news/show/122411.html
No, read my post, I LIVE IN A SANCTUARY STATE where the illegals are pandered to. Get a grip. His idea of stopping illegal immigration isn't going to help when he gives them unfettered access to instate tuition. That's NOT stopping it, it actually encourages it.
So what is it that drives you so mad about Perry? Is it his accent? The hair? Do you just love how the cowboy boots make him walk?
Hmmmm? Because it sure isn't his conservatism.
Former Colorado Congressman and anti-illegal immigration crusader Tom Tancredo has no patience with Republican presidential frontrunner Rick Perry, the Texas governor with the Hollywood hair who fired up the right when he announced his candidacy but who has stumbled under the national spotlight ever since. In the wake of last week’s GOP candidate debate, Tancredo decried Perry as an arrogant “name-calling, open border, pro-amnesty politician.”
http://coloradoindependent.com/100658/tancredo-sl...
It means you assume every Mexican you see is an illegal and you don't want to see them, you don't want to live next to them, you don't even want them in your country…not even to fill a job you wouldn't do if you were starving to death.
And those "others" that you speak of are usurping the Constitution by taking that action. You may argue that it has to be done, but the fact remains that it is un-Constitutional and you're going to have to decide if you're comfortable violating your country's highest Law.
Apparently…you are.
When exactly do illegal aliens pay taxes and fees?
If you're that picky, you obviously aren't interested in working for a living anyway. There are literally millions of people in this country who would love to find ANY job. But you only care about yourself. Aren't you special!
How do you even arrive there? The flaw in your reasoning is large enough to drive an Abrams through. Residency issue? An illegal, getting a sweetheart deal that's going to wind up costing the actual residents (tax payers) more in taxes to pay for it is just a residency deal? No. It's an immigration issue. If you weren't so attached to Rick Perry's appendage you'd know that.
No, I care about people being able to find good jobs that pay a decent wage, not a wage that just helps them go in the hole a tiny bit slower.
You apparently don't want people to be able to do well as long as they have a job, which makes you selfish.
Oh god. Queue the swirling violins…sheesh.
How many illegal Mexicans are doing the job you wouldn't do blah blah and how many of them have fake EBT cards and so forth and are draining the taxpayer dry? How many hospitals have been forced to close in SO CAL because of the flood of illegals using the ER as a family doctor and then not paying any kind of bill? How many?
All those people you're defending.
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