Is it racist to be against illegal immigration?
By gewcew23
@gewcew23 (8007)
United States
June 3, 2007 2:50pm CST
I am 100% against illegal immigration, because it is illegal. Also, it hurts my country. I am a proud American, my family tree goes back many generations in this country. My family for the most part started in Germany and came to America. They had to pay the price to become a citizen so today I could enjoy the fruits that they sowed. My family had to learn English, that's what it meant to become an American. They were willing to seperate themselves from Germany and become Americans. I am proud that my family was willing to do this. My life is so much better because I was born here than it would be if I were born in Germany. No offense to the German people, but I believe America is a better country. The Mexicans that are illegally coming across our border are first of all committing a crime by doing what they are doing. These Mexicans do not respect the American culture, the will not put aside their mexican past, and become full fledge Americans. This is an English speaking country. I understand that we don't have an offical language but we were founded by England all of our founding fathers spoke English, all of our Presidents spoke English, English is our language. The majority of Mexicans do not believe that Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California are a part of the United States. They believe that those states are still apart of Mexico, and so therefore they have absolutely no problem cross our border ILLEGALLY. They don't believe that they have to abide by our laws because they are Mexicans. They march in our streets paid by our tax payers demanding that we as Americans give them legal status in our country.
I am constantly being called a racist because of my opposition to illegal immigration. I have no problem with them legally immigrating. We have 4 different guest worker programs anything from farm workers, health care providers, fashion models, or even the families of those that have guest worker program cards. We also have legal immigration known as the green card. The reason why these Mexicans illegally immigrate cause for many of them they couldn't pass the background check to become a legal immigrant. That's why I am anti-illegal immigration. I am not a racist. I am not against mexicans. I am Pro-American.
17 people like this
38 responses
@revdauphinee (5703)
• United States
3 Jun 07
I am not a racist. I am not against mexicans. I am Pro-American. just like i am however i also have been called racist and bigotted for my views i am an imigrant myself who came here the right way through legal chanels and i dont care what your race is you are welcome here if you follow the law entering any other way is against thelaws of the USa and if you break the law you are a criminal not mater where you come from or what color your skin is !
@rusty2rusty (6763)
• Defiance, Ohio
3 Jun 07
No, I don't you are a racist for being against illegal immigration. People from all different races and cultures commit illegal immigration. I understand what you say. As I am Pro-American as well. I live in Florida. I see every day what you mean. It is not just the Mexicans that do or act like this. I have nothing against any race or culture. I do have something against people who come into my country and break the laws. So if that means I am a racist. Than I am a racist against law breakers. Than so be it.
7 people like this
@estherlou (5015)
• United States
3 Jun 07
I am exactly with you! This has gone on long enough! We have bent over backwards for many years making it easy for this to happen! Now, when we are trying to make it right, or stop the abuse...we have the protests and the Mexicans yelling for their rights! Rights? what rights? you are not a citizen of this country! We've gone so far the other direction we are catering to the illegals! A lot of congress has lost its perspective! I hope something can be done. It almost sounds like a hopeless situation. Like trying to stop a tidal wave from coming.
6 people like this
@vokey9472 (1486)
• United States
4 Jun 07
You are not a racist any more than I am a traitor to my Hispanic ancestors for being against illegal immigration. My one and only issue regarding illegal immigration is that most people always say "those Mexicans" when referring to illegal immigrants, but the US is being invaded by illegal immigrants from all parts of the world, not just Mexico. That being said, I totally agree with you.
My mother's family is a mix of people from all over the world. Her great great great grandmother came from Nova Scotia. They came to the US legally and established their homes in Texas. My mother's people are Mexican, Canadian, French, English and German. My father's people came from Spain to Mexico and then legally came to the US. My father's family's first priority when they came here was to become American citizens and honor their new country. I was raised to be proud of my heritage, but also to love, honor and protect my country, America.
I am sick of having to deal with hispanics that refuse to speak English to me and then when they find out that I don't speak Spanish (I can understand it though) talk badly about me in Spanish. Just because I do not speak the language, doesn't mean I don't understand it. I don't live in a Spanish speaking country so why should people expect me to speak Spanish just because I look hispanic? Ever notice how those non-English speaking hispanics sure can speak the language if it involves their paychecks? I have.
I am not a traitor. I am not a racist. I am an American who believes that America should be for Americans and that these illegals, who are criminals, should be rounded up and sent right back to their mother countries.
6 people like this
@MyoanBiz (140)
• United States
4 Jun 07
I can sort of relate to what you're saying. I was born in Canada to a Canadian father & an American mother. Until I was 16 I was classified as a dual citizen & then in my 20's I was informed I was a US citizen because I'd lived so many consecutive years here, so the US just sort of claimed me & discarded my Canadian status.
I lived a few years in Montana as a kid & 1\3 of my friends\classmates were Native American Indian and\or Mexican, so it's not like I've never dealt with non-whites on a day to day basis.
I don't care what country someone comes from, just as long as they do it the right\legal way. It takes a lot of nerve & lack of respect to illegally go to another country & then whine because you don't have the same rights as everyone else. If they'd have done it the legal way they would have the same rights.
My father, Canadian, has to periodically get ahold of Immigration & update everything. Been doing it for over 45 years now & it hasn't hurt him one little bit.
3 people like this
@KATRINKA (1624)
• United States
4 Jun 07
I don't understand why people accuse those whom are against illegal immigration as racists. The whole point is that's illegal. I would feel the same way about Canadians or outerspace aliens. My family immigrated from Germany, just like yours did. They had to pay their way and adapt to the American way of life. They struggled. They became legal citizens. I, too, am not against Mexicans. I am against those whom are coming over illegally. I don't want to pay for their healthcare or schooling. We can barely afford the healthcare premiums for our own family. If they want to come over here legally and live an honest life and pay taxes, then come on over. If not, stay away.
@CarlyLaine (759)
• United States
4 Jun 07
Katrinka
Thank you for that story. Good for your parents...The ILLEGAL ALIENS are destroying our country. They want the United States to be little Mexico.
Back when your parents immigrated to the US they wanted to be Americans and they assilmilated. It had to have been tough, but they perservered. AND THEY DID IT.
I am not against Mexicans, either. The illegals who want the privileges I worked long and hard for and for what my grandfather, my father and my son fought for me to have-they shouldn't be allowed to take the hard work from the men and women who fought for our way of life. They didn't fight for the illegals who wish to disrupt our way of living by taking my rights away from us so they can have. It is not right...it's wrong because it's illegal.
Come legally or go home....
Come over legally-I won't say a word-but WELCOME!!. Illegal?? I'll say it you betcha!!! I'll say it loud and clear.
@wachit14 (3595)
• United States
3 Jun 07
I am totally against illegal immigration and I don't think I'm a racist at all. One thing has nothing to do with another. The illegal immigrants who come into this country are, among other things, bringing in diseases that when left untreated, are spread, like tuberculosis for instance. I'm all for people coming into this country and following the laws towards legalized citizenship, but please come in the right way. I just wish our government could figure out how to deal with this problem already once and for all.
@flowerchilde (12529)
• United States
4 Jun 07
..it's funny how in so many issues there is the attempt to silence any other thought but the percieved 'politically correct' thought. IF the view is so right on, why do they have to silence the opposing view always? Think about it. In many issues of today you will come across the idea that "thus and thus is how it would be thought about and there is no other way (really) to think about it. Against illegal immigration? you're racist. Don't want to change the definition of marriage, so against gay marriage as oppoSed to full rights for gay couples in a civil union? You haTe gay folks! Against abortion? or even just termination at birth, known as partial birth or late term abortion? You are against women's rights! [I'm sorry for inserting other issues here, but this is just so true, that opposing views are just supposed to shut up, that I just couldn't stop myself!:)
- Instead of openly debating and discussing the pros and cons, so much easier to label your opponent and insist it is right they be silent.
3 people like this
@CarlyLaine (759)
• United States
4 Jun 07
FLOWER!!!!
You have it in NUTSHELL! hugs
2 people like this
@kbkbooks (7022)
• Canada
3 Jun 07
I read your discussion about storming the border with protection to keep illegal immigrants out. That will never work. They will never be able to keep everyone from getting over. There will always be those who will get over one way or another.
I don't think its prejudice to be against illegal immigrants. That is law breaking. A good citizen is interested in those who keep the laws of their country.
Personally, I think that borders and patriotism are totally bogus. When God created the universe, He didn't put his creatures in one place and order them to stay there. The only reason Adam and Eve were ordered out of the garden is because the disobeyed God directly.
3 people like this
@gewcew23 (8007)
• United States
4 Jun 07
I guess you missed the part in the bible about the nation of Israel. God told Abraham that wherever you walk will be your nation and your descendents will dwell within its borders. This country named the nation of Israel for the Israelites and only the Israelties. Read the apostle Paul's teachings that government was ordained by God.
1 person likes this
@dustyland87 (148)
• United States
4 Jun 07
I dont think it is racist at all to be against people comming into our country, taking jobs and medicare from people who rightfully deserve it. I am against illegal immigration myself. I am also tired of having to bend over backward for people comming into this country who refuse to learn to speak english. If I go to Germany or France or Japan they don't go out of their way to put up signs in English or to force everyone in their country to learn how to communicate with me I have to learn to communicate with them. So why is it that we make all these rules and accomidations for people who come here? If they want to live here then learn the laungauge or go the hell home. I'm tired of it and its really starting to piss me off.
3 people like this
@WhatsHerName (2716)
• United States
29 Jun 07
I don't think it's racist, I don't care if anyone thinks I'm racist, I don't care if they are white people coming from Canada illegally it's wrong.
3 people like this
@winky73 (1404)
• United States
4 Jun 07
If Texas,Arizona,New Mexico and California are supposed to be still a part of Mexico.....what are they doing in Kansas and Iowa(those are two states I have lived at and I know first hand how many Mexicans live there...Illegally I might add)?
I don't think it's racist at all.I mean I don't care if you are white,green,pink or blue or where you came from....if you break into my house and try to take over what I had to work very hard for....you just might find yourself looking down the barrel of a loaded shotgun.
Well illegal immigration is the same thing as breaking and entering in my book and the last time I checked.....that was still against the law.
3 people like this
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
4 Jun 07
What you said is so true, winky. I am sure that most of us (except people born with a silver spoon) have had to do drudge jobs at some point in our lives. You do what you have to do. I think it is just plain lazy to use that as an excuse to allow these illegals to overrun our borders.
2 people like this
@joey_matthews (8354)
•
9 Jun 07
I think some people go over the top.
They get put into a corner and labelled "racist" without taking all the facts and you've told us and it's clear to me that you're not.
Those who go around shooting off and generally annoying and unpleasant are.
I'm pro english btw (BMP) not racist :)
~Joey
2 people like this
@PunkyMcPunk (1477)
• Canada
4 Jun 07
I am Canadian....
I am trying to immigrate to the USA LEGALLY. I am completely against illegal immigration as well. The reason for this is because I am trying to do this the right way and 11 million illegals did it the wrong way and are getting a "get out of jail free" card. I don't understand it. I have been trying to do this now for almost a year! It's frustrating that I am jumping through hoops and 11 million people jumped a fence and are now on their way to becoming citizens and I'm still (seems Like) treading water here.
3 people like this
@santuccie (3384)
• United States
4 Jun 07
Hi PunkyMcPunk,
Just wanted to tell you that I really respect your response. Good for you! :)
2 people like this
@MyoanBiz (140)
• United States
4 Jun 07
I wonder just how many of the illegals are wanted in whatever country they're from. I know that where I'm from the outstanding warrant list is comprised of 85-90% Hispanics, whereas just 5 years ago it was 95% "white folks" names on that list. I'm talking bad about criminals in general. Does that make me a racist towards criminals in general? Did you know that some Mexicans already have new maps made of the new US? Colorado, New Mexico,, most of Texas, and everything west is now a part of Azatlan(sp?)
As a kid I remember every summer when the migrant workers would come. My mom was a nurse at the hospital & would regularily come home with a new story about a stabbing or drunken car wreck. At least those folks were here legally & would move on when the season was done. Not like what we have now. They commit a serious crime(s) & fly into the night to do the same crap somewhere else. And then whine because they have no rights.
3 people like this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
16 Jun 07
There is certainly nothing racist about wanting to protect your country against such immigration. The law that qualifies such people as "illegal immigrants" is there for a purpose.
We have the same situation here in the United Kingdom, and I am just as opposed to such things as you are.
2 people like this
@mpc2000 (65)
• United States
18 Jun 07
Hey, I'm latino, and although I am against illegal immigration, you have to wonder why it's happening. Yeah, this country is fine and everything, but they needed Mexicans back in the early part of the last century. Why did they not required them to learn English. I heard one time that it was because of our Latino pride, which I think is plain bullsh*t. I am Latino and I learned my English as well as my mom, so there has to be another reason. it's not that this country needs them, but all the greedy corporations need them because they can pay them less wages than they would americans. if the Government would stop f*cking around and get on these corporations' a**es, then maybe there would be a different take on immigration. it's not like Mexicans are coming becuase they hate their country, but Corporations are still recruiting them. If our president were anything like Teddy Roosevelt, he would've been making corporations pay for that nonsense, but he's not. I'm not against Mexicans, but this immigration, from any race, has got to stop, it's make people anxious to the point that they might kill the immigrants.
2 people like this
@mpc2000 (65)
• United States
18 Jun 07
furthermore, this bullsh*t has been happening since the birth of this country when the irish came to America, being treated like second-class citizens due to the fact that they were a threat to laborers. then it was the Jews, it's Xenophobia, it's not racism. it's about the threat of jobs being taken. It did not come up until recently becuase of all the outsourcing that's been happening in this country. I'm surprised that nobody's against all the indians taking their jobs. I don't care about all the immigrants that are here because there are 40 million of them, how can the Government not find them, that's alot of damn people out 300 million in the U.S. population. that's, what 13% of the U.S. population. Jesus, you mean to tell me that you can't find them.
2 people like this
@rsa101 (38166)
• Philippines
4 Jun 07
I can fully understand your feelings about the issue at hand. My countrymen are one of those that dearly loves your country and they try everything just to be there in you country. Some do go thru the proper channels and some do not. I cannot blame my fellow countrymen because of the hardships in life we are experiencing right now. Immigrating to your beloved country is the only hope they could see to be able to have a better chance in life.
But I do agree with you in your argument that anyone interested to live there must go through the process set up by your government. I too accept that I am dreaming of someday I would be able to bring my family there and live there like my other family members who are there living much more comfortably then we here living in our own country. I do hope that your country could still accommodate us there in the future.
2 people like this
@gewcew23 (8007)
• United States
4 Jun 07
Thank you for your response, and I wish you were over here. I honestly wish we had a system where we could send unamerican Americans to countries in exchange for their citizens that want to be an American. Almost like an exchange program for citizenship. I do understand though that birth right gives them the privilege to be an American even if they don't value this privilege. Maybe one of these days in a not so distant future you may be able to share in the benefits of the American society.
1 person likes this
@cobrastrike (6)
• United States
11 Jun 07
As many of the people to respond here I am against ILLEGAL immigration also. If you want to come to the United States you need to use conventional methods, and go through the proper channels. The problem is that these people want the liberties that the US offers without all the responsibilities of being a citizen. The problem is that we cannot do anything about it without amending the constitution because it explicitly says that you cannot deny rights to anyone because of race, gender, or ethnicity.
@candiec2005 (828)
• United States
4 Jun 07
I kinda agree with you but the thing is that this country was founded on immigrants. Everyone here in the U.S. came from some other country. That's what this country's all about! For instance, my parents came from Italy and France.
I agree that once you get here you should try to learn the language. A lot of Spanish people don't want to learn Spanish and I am against that. However, I do realize that here in the U.S. we have all immigrated here (unless we're natives) therefore, I can't speak against immigrants.
2 people like this
@gewcew23 (8007)
• United States
4 Jun 07
CarlyLaine has every right to say what she said, you have no right to tell carlylaine to go take her nasty attitude somewhere else. She wasn't being nasty, and she had a valid argument to your response. It is not her fault that you can't defend your respose. You are just like all the people who call me racist for my position. You can't debate me, you can't win, so your only choice is to shut us up. And guess what, this is my discussion, this is my topic, try to tell me to shut up, because I am not going any where and I have enough people who will stand up with me.
1 person likes this
@CarlyLaine (759)
• United States
4 Jun 07
ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION is not legal. My family were immigrants they came over LEGALLY. Do you understand the diff?
3 people like this
@candiec2005 (828)
• United States
4 Jun 07
Wow you have so much hostility. I am simply stating MY opinion ok? Go some where else with your nasty attitude!
1 person likes this
@mikaelasmom (51)
• United States
4 Jun 07
I agree with you a hundred percent! I live in Phoenix, Arizona and it is absolutely ridiculous here! Certain place you go to, its like being in little mexico. its not fair and like you said, my ancestors had to pay the price to become a citizen to make for a better life for their offsprin and generations to come. Not to mention the statistics of the percentage rates of crimes that are committed in the U.S by those of hispanic decent. It is also not right that its an option to have to learn to speak the english language. sometimes i get sooo mad and insulted when i am out n about and an illegal immigrant gets fustrated with customer service at a store because they cant understand them and making the store associate look bad as if it their fault that we dont speak spanish! ridiculous! i also think its ridiculous how i passed a supermarket the other day and instead of saying Frys Marketplace, the word marketplace was replaced with "Mercado". I heard of some places in the midwest as well as the east coast where they have made it against the law to hire anyone that is an illegal immigrant with huge fines involved and also a place where it is illegal to RENT a place to an illegal immigrant. I think this is a brilliant idea! unfortunately those of us that live in the southern states (Texas, Arizona, new Mexico), this kind of action is NOT being taken and should be! my boyfriend and i are actually planning to move to a more northern state specifically because of this...it is just getting to be ridiculous! weeew! thanks for letting me vent!
3 people like this
