Should convicted illegal immigrants be deported?

Interesting story lisan. There will always be individual stories like the one about that doctor, that are fairly unique. I am glad that they did the right thing and let him remedy the situation. I am not sure that I would have been so kindly treated if I forgot to renew my drivers license. I think all of us have immigration stories unless we are Native Americans. But the issue as I understand it are the illegals. People who are here without the proper documentation, without the proper authority and who are not even attempting to secure their citizenship. Many of those do not want citizenship. I read an interview with one guy who said he had no intention of becoming a citizen or even processing the paperwork. He said that he was going to work here for 10 years and make as much money as possible. Then he was going to return to his home country, in this case Mexico, and be able to live like a king with the money he earned here. But we are getting off topic. Thanks for the great post!

Yes it is very broken and it requires a MAJOR fix.

I think that situation you mentioned above is also a special situation. I used to live in Southern California, I watched hundreds of people struggle to get green cards and try and become citizens. That doctor's situation is not unique (besides him being able to stay). Even after getting your green card it will take you YEARS to cut through the red tape (even with a lawyer) to even become a citizen. I have a friend who is from Scotland who gave up after 11 years and just keeps renewing her green card now. The system is broken, and it needs to be fixed.

I love your avatar! I would be willing to bet that the only reason you knew that offender was illegal is because a police officer was involved. From what I understand, a lot of the crime we see committed involves illegals. But for some PC reason, it does not get reported that way. You raise a good point. While deportation seems logical, the problem is that they return and our law enforcement officers can't detain them for immigration violations. But if we prosecute them under our laws, we end up supporting them. Even though that seems like a travesty, perhaps that is the better solution. Deportation is no deterrent. Maybe jail time is. I wonder if it is cheaper for us to jail them than it is to keep cleaning up after their crimes.

Good points Dave. I like the probationary period.

And is there a downside to taking away their incentive to stay?

Huppsterdave, The only problem I see with that is if we made them become legal and pay taxes then their reason to stay would be taken away. This is why the majority of illegals are fighting legislation, they WANT to be illegal so the can fly under the radar. Take that away and there is no incentive to stay.

It IS kind of a twisted policy. If we deport them and they return, we can't do anything unless the commit another crime. But I am not sure what would happen if they escape the law by running back to their own country and come back later. This is a huge problem and its getting bigger.

We all go through a very long process, for many years I had a work permitt, when my father apply for his "Green card" he placed me in his application, so I also got my green card, then after 5 years of been a resident you get to apply for citizenship. In the other hand, my brother was too busy drinking and driving and wasting money on bailing him out. By the time he wanted to apply INS gets your record, if he sees too many misdemeanors they don't give you anything.

So it wasn't a system problem with him it was his behavior that caused his troubles. Congrats on working through the system and becoming a citizen.

Sorry that your brother could not stay here. Can I ask you a question? Why did you get your citizenship but your brother did not?

LOL Great plan. I had heard that before. Someone said that instead of building a fence, we should build a mote from the Rio Grande west. And will it with alligators. I still think that's a great idea. At least to think about!

it sure would!

That would be a great solution is only these other countries would cooperate. I think that if we put our political will behind it, we could influence some of these countries to work with us.

Lol! Good idea.

Hello WhatsHerName, Your point below is actually a terrifically good point! (quote - WhatsHerName) "why don't they stay in their own country and make it better?" No doubt, 'fighting city hall' is darned tough. Though, the fact that those who desire a better life choose to leave their homeland, to seek opportunity elsewhere, does seem to indicate that the emigrants of Mexico (and elsewhere) are inclined toward the 'quitter' mind-set. I can't speak for anyone one else, but I much more appreciate a 'can do' attitude than a 'can't do' attitude. As such, I'm inclined to conclude that those who come here illegally, choose to remain under the radar, then send money home -- are of the 'can't do' mind-set. And, doesn't that make them complicit in the 'permanent underclass' reality??? While I recognize that things in the USA are not perfect, I commit myself to the effort toward improvement, in this land that I love. Wouldn't improvement be the ultimate end for both USA & Mexican economics if the citizens of both committed themselves to improving life within, rather than seeking temporary solutions outside of their nation?

Well if most of our worst criminals usually try to run or do run to Mexico or Canada, where do you think they go from Mexico? No one can tell me that most of them are just hard working honest people who want better lives. If they are so honest and hard working why don't they stay in their own country and make it better? Or try to come in legally like so many others have and have to do?

I can't verify whether or not they were criminals in their home country, but they became criminals as soon as they entered our country illegally.

Well said filmbuff. You're right it makes no sense. So it's ok to break one law, entering our country illegally. But it is wrong to break two laws. Then we send you back. Come on. And all of our more liberal-hearted friends who want to provide opportunities to these poor unfortunate law breakers are suspiciously silent that these poor people are working for low wages and no benefits. That seems hypocritical.

Great point. Do you think that the cost of incarceration is acceptable versus the cost of deporting them only to have them come back and potentially recommit a crime?

Thanks for the reply. I just wish we could figure out what the best course of action is.

exclamation point!!!!!!

I am not familiar with that story. What happened?

That's terrible. I just don't understand why we, as a country, put up with this.

It happened 2-3 months ago in either Minnesota or Wisconson. The illegal woman, around 24 years old, had been picked up before for driving off the road because she was not a good driver. She also didn't have a driver's license. So she was using someone else's driver's license of a woman around 45. She blew through a stop sign and hit a school bus. It was for a small town and 2 of the boys killed were brothers. I think 7 or 8 children were killed. Sorry my details are more specific. When I see something like that on the news I change the channel.

Great point. That is how our citizens would be treated in many countries. I am not sure why we are afraid to take real action against them. They want to be here. They need to play by our rules.

That would be a great solution but there is no way we are going to get cooperation from these countries. In fact, the government of Mexico has printed a booklet that actually shows Mexican citizens how to cross our border illegally. You can check it out here: www.diggersrealm.com/mt/archives/000613.html Unbelievable!

You hit the nail right on the head. They have taken over some of our communities and the are draining our resources. We are a nation of laws. If you are here you need to abide by our laws. What part of "Illegal" don't our leaders understand? And I'm afraid that neither Obama nor McCain ha a plan to deal with this problem that I am comfortable with. My family came to this country about 100 years ago through Ellis Island. I am proud of what they accomplished. If they are coming in legally, I would standing right beside you to welcome them in.

It seems that no one know what the meaning of "Illegal" is.