Illegals Cost Americans $338.3 Billion A Year

Illegals Statistics:



1. $11 Billion to $22 billion is spent on welfare to illegal aliens each year. http://tinyurl.com/zob77

2. $2.2 Billion dollars a year is spent on food assistance programs such as food stamps, WIC, and free school lunches for illegal aliens. http://www.cis.org/articles/2004/fiscalexec.html

3. $2.5 Billion dollars a year is spent on Medicaid for illegal aliens. http://www.cis.org/articles/2004/fiscalexec.html

4. $12 Billion dollars a year is spent on primary and secondary school education for children here illegally and they cannot speak a word of English! http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0604/01/ldt.0.html

5. $17 Billion dollars a year is spent for education for the American-born children of illegal aliens, known as anchor babies. http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0604/01/ldt.01.html

6. $3 Million Dollars a DAY is spent to incarcerate illegal aliens. http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0604/01/ldt.01.html

7. 30% percent of all Federal Prison inmates are illegal aliens. http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0604/01/ldt.01.html

8. $90 Billion Dollars a year is spent on illegal aliens for Welfare and Social Services by the American taxpayers. http://premium.cnn.com/TRANSCIPTS/0610/29/ldt.01html

9. $200 Billion Dollars a year in suppressed American wages are caused by the illegal aliens. http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0604/01/ldt.01.html

10. The illegal aliens in the United States have a crime rate that's two-and-a-half times that of white non-illegal aliens. In particular, their children, are going to make a huge additional crime problem in the US. http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0606/12/ldt.01.html

11. During the year of 2005 there were 4 to 10 MILLION illegal aliens that crossed our Southern Border also, as many as 19,500 illegal aliens from Terrorist Count ries. Millions of pounds of drugs, cocaine, meth, heroin and marijuana, crossed into the U. S from the Southern border. Homeland Security Report. http://tinyurl.com/t9sht

12. The National Policy Institute, 'estimated that the total cost of mass deportation would be between $206 and $230 billion or an average cost of between $41 and $46 billion annually over a five year period.' http://www.nationalpolicyinstitute.org/pdf/deportation.pdf

13. In 2006 illegal aliens sent home $45 BILLION in remittances back to their countries of origin. http://www.rense.com/general75/niht.htm

14. 'The Dark Side of Illegal Immigration: Nearly One Million Sex Crimes Committed by Illegal Immigrants In The United States'. http://www.drdsk.com/articleshtml

Total cost is a whooping... $338.3 BILLION A YEAR!!!

 

Makes me glad that Australia is an island and a long way away from most other places. Bazza

 

Just a small reminder that all of us are descendants of illegal immigrants unless you are Native American.

 

Immigration was considered to be mostly legal practice, until the federal government got involved.

In this thread, the key word here is *illegal*. I have no problem with legal immigrants but there are alot of individuals everyday who blatenly try to come and or stay illegally. That I have a problem with.

 

Too easy

Build a large electric fence all of the way around the USA, that way no-one can come in or leave

 

Potentially funny or offensive link. I have a strange sence of humor...

http://nerdnirvana.org/g4m3s/borderpatrol.htm

I fail to see why we should pay for illegal immigrants healthcare, education, or food. So simple solution for it though.

E

 

I'm thinking native americans didn't pay our healthcare, or take care of us on a welfare system back when the immigrants came over. Perhaps I am wrong.

 

No. That's true. However, they did not want us on their land, as a general rule. Thus, we illegally immigrated into their turf.

My point is simply this. Let's get over the snobbery of being born in the United States. Most of our ancestors came as unwelcomed guests and took the land and misused the resources of those that lived here prior to them giving back little if anything.

So many of these illegal immigrants, as the legal ones, have sacrificed much to get here, often leaving behind their very children in the hope of establishing themselves legally and then being reunited. They do the work that I doubt most of you are willing to do, like picking tomatoes. They tolerate conditions that you and I would never even consider.

The Washington Post wrote in May 2006:
"Fully 38 percent of New York's 8 million residents are foreign-born, nearly the same percentage as a century ago.

"It would be easy to say the short-run costs of immigration outweighed the benefits," said Joe Salvo, a director at New York's City Planning Department. "But the benefits are longer term. We wouldn't be the superpower we are if we hadn't let them in."

The process to legalization is not easy and can be expensive. You just don't apply for legal status and get it because you are hardworking and law-abiding. Often they are exploited by cruel individuals that practically enslave them at the risk of finding them out. And the wait can take years.

Having said that, I am not an advocate of fully open borders, not after 9/11. But let's speak with compassion and an understanding that we are talking about other men, women, and children, like us, like our mothers and fathers, like our sons and daughters, that bleed like us, dream like us, and love like us. Let's find a solution that protects us and regards them in whatever solution is sought.

 

Wrong...some of us are LEGAL immigrants whose ancestors were not illegal immigrants of our home (original) country

 

Let's just make an additional check box on your tax form. Do you want to support illegal aliens? Check yes or no. We will just send the folks that check the box a bill.

Keep in mind, illegal aliens, not immigrants. Now they are called 'undocumented workers'. I speak English. Learn that first off. Then talk to me about becoming a citizen of my country. And I am part American Indian.

I know folks living here legaly from Iran, Yemin, Pakistan, England, and India. They all speak English. Almost all of them are extremely succesfull buisnesmen.

I do not care what they have sacrificed to be here. If you are illegaly, get the heck out. Take your illegal family with you.

Canada has banned me because I got a DWI years ago, that is ok, but when the US tries to do anything, people complain about how it is not fair.

Understanding works both ways. I do not understand why my loaf of bread has Spainish on one side. Why do I have to press 1 so I don't Habla Espanol.
You don't know what a loaf of freaking bread is? Road signs in CA are repeated in Spanish? WTF, LEARN the language BEFORE you drive a car. How can you drive a car legally if you can't speak the language... I would take a cab if I were in France...

Sneak into Mexico and see what happens to you.

I live in the US. I am a citizen. I am part native american. I am a damn American. I get to own guns, critisize my leaders, travel to most places, Canada does not want me, but most places will let me travel to them.

I have met illegal workers from Honduras. Nice folks. But I don't think I should have to pay for them. I thinks we need the dang bleeding heart check box on your tax return like I mentioned. You wanna habla some heathcare, you pay for it.

Just my thoughts. No offence meant.

E:cool

 

You are correct. I apologize for the inaccuracy. All and never statements are usually (note my avoidance of the word "always") subject to correction. :major

P. S. What you got inside is far better than Intel!

 

I have several friends who immigrated here, legally and one who is now trying to obtain her citizenship. The solution is.. follow the rules, it worked for them (yes, it was a little difficult at times) but it should just be that simple.

 

I'd hope not... if I ever have descendants they'll be native to the country I live in when I bear them. LOL

 

Wow, Fred. It's a good thing you are not running for President of the United States.

So much of what you said just seems to be, quite frankly, based in ignorance, that I won't bother to address those quasi-points. However, you did mention a common misconception about immigrants that I'd like to address, and that's the issue of language.

You are correct. Many immigrants from other countries come already knowing how to speak English. How awesome is that! The majority of other countries actually learn more than one language. We are the ones linguistically challenged that only learn one.

As a Native American, which language do you suggest that we should have learned? Your native toungue? Or is that your people learned the Brit's language which you now call your own? It's a good thing that this country does not have an official language.

So, about our Latin American immigrants, which seem to cause so much consternation. They should learn English because that is the operating language of this country, but it does not happen overnight. Further, many of them come here having to eat, clothe themselves, and pay for shelter. They take more than job just to accomplish that. With what time will they study?

Perhaps we should have a checkbox on our income tax return for the Immigrant Americanization Program. That ought to work.

 

Its funny you said that, because you also said this

Which to me THAT is also based on ignorance

if that IS true they certainly don’t speak it when they come here! Just walk around my neighborhood, go some in some of my local stores then tell me that

 

Depends on where they migrate in from. English is mandatory in most schools in the industrialized world these days.

 

Ahh, I didnt know that. Well they need to start using it so I can stop pressing '1' for english

 

We'll get back to you about that when the US actually has an official language.

 

I would love to learn a new language. My native tounge is English. President Fred_G will never happen... My relatives assimilated into The Great Melting Pot that the US is.

How am I linguisticly challeneged to know the lanuguage spoken in my country? What, the time I spend working does not apply equally, to my illegal immigrant friends? If you live here and will not learn the language...

How the illegal immagrants, aliens or whatever they are feed themselves is not my problem. They are by definition here illegally. Thus illegal alien or undocumented worker. I say boot them like most other countries do.

My thoughts are somewhat strong on this, let's be cival. I will do my best to!

I say we just kick them out. Will take a while, but eventully it might work.

E

 

Mimsy said it exactly. It depends on the country from which they emmigrated.

And yes, Dyamond, many of them tolerate deplorable conditions and horrible abuses in order to be able to eat and find a way to become legal. If you doubt me, just Google it. Their stories show a determination that is admirable and exactly the type of spirit that made this country great to begin with.

Besides, my only point is simply that being judgmental and looking down our red, white, and blue noses at these human beings is unwitting and in the long-run, will come back to bite us. "Pride comes before the fall."

 

They hopefully 'find a way to become leagal'. That is just BS. Yeah, my nose is damn red white and blue. I suppose we could, and probably should just let every one in, and learn there language, and customs.

I don't buy it. You want to live here, great. Live as a citizen, if you are one

 

Simple solution folks:

Give them citizenship.

Then, impose a partial draft for citizens that have been officially resident for less than X months.

They've made it in, AND they've been kicked out! GENIUS, I KNOW!

 

Well Fred. The next time that you are slicing that tomato from Florida or eating those grapes from California or enjoying any other type of produce that you did not raise and pick yourself, just think. "I can afford to enjoy this because that migrant worker, that I hate because he's not yet legal, is willing to accept far less than minimum wage AND NO benefits." Oh. And wash it well. His filthy, illegal hands touched your food.

 

You speak of ignorance, yet you speak it as well. Do you have any proof of them picking tomatoes in Florida, or are you stereotyping? Because I seem to recall that illegal aliens are not paying taxes, because they well, can't legally be put into the system! No taxes= no benefits= not legal.

Therefore, it seems to me that if what you said were the case, there would be some employers in deep doo-doo.

Yet, these same illegal immigrants want to not pay taxes and work here illegally and gain benefits too, that OUR taxes pay for. Heck, I want that too, and I am American!

This goes for just about any under priveledged family who wishes to survive. That, or they end up on the streets. I see just as many homeless americans as any other. To stereotype only illegal immigrants into it, is ignorance.

Plenty of people come here legally, why is it that illegal immigrants need special priviledges? When do we stop encouraging people to not pay our taxes?

I don't see that any other country is much different in that aspect, but I could be wrong.

 

This is a stop-gap measure.

Would it not be more beneficial to the U.S. economy to try to turn the problem to their favour?

ie. instead of deporting them to no benefit other than reducing their strain on your system, instead help them integrate, and become contributing members of your society?

Deporting the ones who aren't making an effort to become legal would be much more easily justifiable.

 

Being judgmental? How about you take part of your paycheck and go give it to someone every week? Would you like that? I some how doubt it but everyday/week whenever when our paychecks are taxed we are doing just that for people who think they dont have to follow the rules. Im sorry, I dont support wrong actions - i.e. you offer me terrible service in a restaurant, dont expect a good tip!

I think Adrynalyne said it perfectly, there are a lot of families/individuals who struggle taking low wages job and doing whatever just to survive here.

Like I said earlier I have several friends who came here legally – the process isn’t exactly easy but they did it the right way. If your so concerned about starting a new life (which is the premise why so many people come here), why already make yourself to be the bad guy?

 

And yet, consider this:

"However, research on the foreign-born generally finds that immigrants are less likely than natives to use public services and that most of those who do use them are refugee groups, such as Russians, Cubans, and Indochinese.10 Studies that focus specifically on undocumented immigrants suggest they use public services at rates far below those of legal immigrants. A 1987 study, for example, found that just 2 percent of illegal Mexican immigrants had ever received welfare or Social Security payments and just 3 percent had ever accepted food stamps. In contrast, 84 percent paid taxes." http://www.ailf.org/ipc/policy_reports_2005_fivemyths.shtml

“During their lifetime, immigrants will pay an average of $80,000 more per capita in taxes than they will use in government services.” http://cds.aas.duke.edu/saf/pdfs/SAF Fact Sheet IMGRN.pdf

Wow. Amazing how so many of us are unaware of what goes on outside of our own microcosm. http://cds.aas.duke.edu/saf/pdfs/SAF Fact Sheet IMGRN.pdf

******************

The main argument made in this thread is that we are subsidizing illegal actions when our tax dollars are used to pay benefits for these people. Yet the research contradicts this erroneous notion. In fact, the numbers show that it is because of these illegals that we snub that we can afford many of the things that we take for granted.

Again, I am NOT advocating illegal immigration. Unfortunately, we DO need to close our borders and know who is coming into this country, why, what they are doing, etc. However, (and I totally agree with Mada_Milty) we need to deal humanely with those that we have here and find a way to integrate them into society as tax-paying, benefit-consuming citizens.

A sidebar… As a whole, and I am no exception, we need to become well informed i.e. seeing things from all angles, about the issues affecting our country. For our democracy to survive it is ESSENTIAL that we vote based on good information and weigh that against our values instead of basing our decisions on the latest marketing hype of the candidates. Otherwise, we WILL fall as a nation. Even the Roman Empire, one of the greatest and strongest this world has ever seen, fell prey to its enemies.

 

That must be LEGAL immigrants dear, because illegal immigrants arent documented workers (because employers would get in big trouble). You cant be taxed by the federal government if your not in the system!

Oh and at my old job, we did various sorts of work and yes we used mexicans from an agency (it was actually just a lady my boss called and hopefully they were legal ) and guess what, they were paid $20 an hour and we had to use them for a minimum of 5 hours or more.

 

I really think it might be time for something like what was done before to be done again. now i'm alright with Mexicans in general or anyone else if there here the legal way. But when your here the illegal way then your sucking this land dry because your not paying taxes and your sending what you make back to your family back in where ever your from and you think you have a right to free services when you don't pay the taxes to support it and your illegal.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Wetback

Heres a way to think about it. say on your computer its running fine like a champ and then some spyware moves in. It don't have no right in your computer serving no benefit to the PC and so you want it gone as quick as you can remove it to keep your pc running in tip top shape. but what would happen if you don't pay it no mind? It starts building up and soon your PC will grind to a halt.

 

There is also the issue that, in using the services meant for the taxpayers, they are brining the system to a screeching halt. By this I am talking the hospitals. Parkland, Dallas Counties central hospital, can not turn people away. American citizens have to pay for their services, while undocumented types get the services for a pittance, say $20 for delivery of a child. Americans don't get this because THEY have social security numbers. And yet the emergency room is bogging down because many poor people, the majority illegals, are using it as their health care provider.

There is nothing in the consititution that says everyone has a right to be a citizen just because they snuck over a boarder. Indeed, Mexico's laws are MUCH more restrictive, and they little in the way of social services. I have seen list of rights only Mexican citizens have in Mexico, and as for civil rights, forget it. There is absolutely no reciprocation in laws, and many Mexicans (I have seen quotes stating this) think that this is their lands that they are taking back somehow. Instead of bringing their countries up to our standards many cases it is expected that we drop ours.

I firmly believe that we should inforce the laws we currently have, we really don't need new ones. And yes, if you are here illegally (and especially if you don't speak english) then you need to go back to where ever you came from, unless there is a death squad waiting for you there. If you want the same standard of living and freedoms that the USA enjoys then work on your home front.

Funny thing, where people have taken care to make their government accountable to the people, and respect civil rights (I'm thinking Canada) we don't have a load of Canadians sneaking over (although I'm not too sure if the reverse is true).

 

No dear. We are talking about ILLEGAL immigrants. You can be taxed, though perhaps not through income tax. Please read the article from Duke University and you will understand what I'm saying.

As far as employers getting in trouble for hiring illegals: it happens all the time. Big companies don't do it, but many small businesses that can't afford to provide all the benefits do. And they don't get caught because how is INS going to know? Yet it is a well known fact that INS does sweeps where they enter a business asking for documentation on all workers.

 

You are all saying the same thing over and over again. First, get the information. Look at the numbers. Read the articles from the top universities in this country that have done the research. Then dispute those findings, but to say the same thing over and over again without even addressing additional information provided converts this into the rantings of a lunatic.

Really? Have you done the numbers? How do you know that they are the MAJORITY?

 

That is the only part of the article that refers to undocumented workers, and no where does it say they pay taxes. Maybe I missed it but I read it twice and didnt see it. My point still stands - they get *federal* assistance but fail to pay any *federal* taxes because they arent in the system, if they were they wouldnt be illegal

 

from the same article

 

Perhaps you should read back a bit. I don't hate the illegal immigrants. I have friends that are legal and illegal immigrants. I hate that my country is not doing the right thing in my opinion.

I think your link is not objective: http://www.ailf.org/ipc/policy_reports_2005_fivemyths.shtml But let's use it as fact.

'Studies that focus specifically on undocumented immigrants suggest they use public services at rates far below those of legal immigrants. A 1987 study, for example, found that just 2 percent of illegal Mexican immigrants had ever received welfare or Social Security payments and just 3 percent had ever accepted food stamps. In contrast, 84 percent paid taxes.'

How many got free healthcare or free education for their kids? Undocumented worker? Illegal Alien. Taxes, sure sales tax.

Interesting wording. What about a study of people who use public services? The study suggests? Well let's still use the information. Lets say there are 12 million illegal immigrants. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illegal_immigration_to_the_United_States

2% of 12 million is 240,000. And I don't know what the average is as far as benefits, let's just say $10k per person. Looks like $2,400,000,000. Reminds me of a saying here in Louisiana, 'A million here, a million there, pretty soon you are talking about some real money.'

Illegal immigrants have already broken the law. So I am to believe they are good people who deserve benefits? I guess a thief would make a good guard. I want the laws to be enforced. I do not care if the cost of grapes goes up.

http://www.canadafreepress.com/2007/lillpop022707.htm (I don't like Canada, but this seems interesting.)

http://www.todossantos.cc/meximmig.html (I like the Mexican laws. We should adopt them.)

http://www.buzzle.com/editorials/5-23-2006-97058.asp

'Runnos Muchachas... La Migra!'

E

 

roflmao

The Mexican border works on a green light/red light system. If you get a green light, you can go in. If you get a red light, only THEN are you subject to any real scrutiny.

While in Mexico however, make sure to wear lots of sunscreen, 'cause if your skin is too dark coming back across, you'll get the hounds.

 

Fred,

I think that your posts ignore the contributions of these immigrants. Two notable examples are Arnold Schwarzenegger, governor of California and Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez, pitcher for the NY Yankees who played in the World Series.

Further, to compare illegal immigration to theft is a bit absurd. Illegal immigration is a civil crime, of which I'm sure we are all guilty if even to the slightest extent such as running a red light or having a drink without your parent's consent while being underage, whereas theft is a criminal offense.

Again, my only point is to make a call for humaneness in problem solving.

 

You are TOO funny!

 

With all due respect, I need to bow out of this thread. I have spent far too much time on this.

My only hope is that each of us who takes the time to vote and make our opinions known also takes the time to consider each relevant issue from each perspective and THEN decide on a position. If we don't do this, we are susceptible to manipulation by the politicians that are supposed to serve us and thus end up serving their purposes.

I hope that I was not offensive, since that was not my intent.

Have a great afternoon! See you on the next thread!

 

I am curious what the laws are of other countries pertaining to illegal immigrants. Anyone up for the task?

msidea:

You go far to put down ideas. Unfortunately, you too, are stuck in your own microcosm, and cannot see the world despite the internet and the articles within it.

Perhaps you should live in a border state like Arizona and come back to me when you get a whiff of the real world. We all have our perceptions. Yours it not neccesarily the correct one(nor mine).

 

Yeah, but looks aren't everything.

I'm just speaking from my very limited experience.

I was visiting family in Mexico, and we would make day trips from Acuna to San Antonio.

Mexican border security is a joke, we hardly even had to stop the car.

But, the one time we brought my cousin into Texas with us, WHOOO BOY.
It started off routine: "what's your citizenship? what are you doing? etc", but as soon as they caught sight of him, it became an interrogation.

 

The information that I mention is hardly based on my microcosm which revolves around the 4 children that are my focus 24/7. I live in Florida, one of the hotbeds of illegal immigration so if that's a qualifier, I guess I meet it. And I'm a graduate of Cornell University from the School of Industrial and Labor Relations, where we discussed these topics in depth with professors that were out in the field, on the forefront, working with organizations and government agencies to solve a variety of issues including these.

Still, these "qualifications" are totally insignificant.

People are people. Let's solve our situation with dignity and respect for all people.

Signing off (and avoiding the temptation to respond again! )

 

msidea, I am not sure about the baseball player, but I am pretty sure the Governator did not sneak accross the boarder. He would be classified as a legal immigrant being the governor of CA, I would guess US Citizen. Which I have nothing against.

Baseball players ... well, I will leave my opinion of them out of this thread.

My problem is with illegal aliens. As to the 'degree' of the wrongness of the crime... I guess we will have to just agree to disagree there.

E

 

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/5/9/5759/83464

"According to the San Jose Mercury News, he effectively admitted to at least a status violation, and possibly immigration fraud, in his autobiography. Under todays law, that would make him deportable, and he could be stripped of his citizenship - obviously, the laws in the 1960s were more lenient.

"According to this report, Schwarzenegger came to the US as a business visitor (status B-1) after having arranged for a job with a promoter, and receiving a salary. Now business visitors are generally not allowed to get paid within the USA."

 

If he is illegal, I say let's tell him not to come back. Kick him over the border...

E

 

I have done my best to stay out of this discussion, I am far too passionate about people (some forget people are what we are talking about) I have known many kind and wonderful people from south of the boarder, heard their children asking why people hate them, it's heartbreaking.
It's an issue conjured up due to 9/11, with no real substance.
Politicians can't seen to get their demographics right, wrong countries for everything.

 

I apologize if I have offended anyone. Not my intention. I re-read the thread. I would like to clarify some of my thoughts.

I personally think any of my country's money going to illegal immigrants is wrong.

I feel that I should not have to press a button to not get Spanish while I am in my country. Tax money has been spent to change road signs in CA at least. I feel that is wrong.

I have a problem with illegal immigration. I do feel sorry for them. I am friends with one. I did my best to help him when I could. That still does not make him legal. I have compassion. I also have passion. As I think all of us here do. I belive the laws should be obeyed, or the offender punished. Period. If you have an argument about the laws, talk to your elected officials. I did not create the economic situation in their country that made them want to sneak into mine illegally..

I believe our country should pass a law that makes English our official language. If you want to live here, I think you should learn it. Lot's of legal immigrants do. One of them is running for Mayor in a town near me!

I believe we have a big problem. I do not propose to have the solution, other than enforce the laws that exist.

It is not hard to find illegal immigrants here. I could most likely find 10 Friday without much work. Why are our law enforcement agencies not finding them and deporting them? I don't know.

It seems to me that the United States is put down when it tries to do anything for itself, but what major storm or tragedy have we not been there for other countries? But who helps us?

I see the argument about the Native Americans often. What happened in Europe over the last 2k years? Same thing. Same thing with Spain and South America. The United States is not the first country to take over natives. Is it right, or wrong, well, who knows. It happened long ago.

I would like my country to have secure borders. Just like Canada, and a lot of other countries want. I want the borders secure from terrorists, and illegal aliens. I am all for enforced employment visas and such, if the immigrants want to do that.

Just my thoughts. I am sure you have your own also. That is the beauty of a free country, or at least the interweb.

One thought I would like to leave is this. "If you are here illegally, are you breaking the law?" "Do you respect laws?" How can you say no to the first, and yes to the second? And if you do, how do I have respect, or even compassion for you?

Just Fred_G's thoughts.

Eric

 

I agree with most of what you have to say Fred. I myself harbor no hate for the people themselves, I just dont agree with their actions. I have empathy and compassion for these people as well. Heck, I cant even watch someone cry (or start to) without crying myselfLOL

If someone was to steal bread from a store in order to feed their family, regardless of how noble it might be, does it make it any less illegal?

You disobey the law, you get caught, you pay for your crime. Thats the way it should be.