Are the majority of illegal aliens "drug smugglers"? (crime, employment)

[jimj]

Originally Posted by mauiwowie

I don't think we should equate unlawful entry to smuggling though.

Why not?

[Ritchie_az]

"I don't think we should equate unlawful entry to smuggling though."

Most of the people who "unlawfully enter" are quite literally smuggled here--under the dark of night and in some of the most inhumane and inhospitable fashions you can imagine. It's actually quite cruel.

That also speaks volumes about Mexico.

[mauiwowie]

Originally Posted by jimj

Why not?

Because as a matter of fact they are not the same. There is much cruelty in human trafficking and potential violence in drug smuggling.

Most of the people who "unlawfully enter" are quite literally smuggled here--under the dark of night and in some of the most inhumane and inhospitable fashions you can imagine. It's actually quite cruel.

Can you provide reliable statistics on that? I've seen that increased enforcement on our side is creating stronger demand for "coyotes", but I do not know the numbers.

[KarmaPhx]

Originally Posted by mauiwowie

I don't think we should equate unlawful entry to smuggling though.

Why not, they're violating federal law either way.

[Bummer]

This is definitely a "unique" thread . . .

What difference does it make if the Illegals are smuggling drugs or humans or "merely" entering this country to steal from the legal Arizona and U.S. Taxpayers with their ID Theft Scams and sponging off our social services?

A common criminal is a COMMON CRIMINAL and needs to be dealt with accordingly.

[rbohm]

Originally Posted by KarmaPhx

Regardless of if they're smuggling drugs or not, they're criminals either way.

Originally Posted by mauiwowie

I don't think we should equate unlawful entry to smuggling though.

Originally Posted by Bummer

This is definitely a "unique" thread . . .

What difference does it make if the Illegals are smuggling drugs or humans or "merely" entering this country to steal from the legal Arizona and U.S. Taxpayers with their ID Theft Scams and sponging off our social services?

A common criminal is a COMMON CRIMINAL and needs to be dealt with accordingly.

like bummer says, they are breaking the law just crossing the border illegally, both federal and state law. they use false ID's to get jobs that rightly should go to american or legal aliens. many of the ID's they use are stolen. it may seem a minor issue to many that people are crossing the border illegally, but when you add up all the services that they use, AND DONT PAY FOR, the costs add up, and that is theft. it costs the governments a lot of money to pay for these services, be they hospital, or government benefits that they should NOT be getting. this forces law abiding citizens, and legal aliens to pay more in taxes, and generally runs the price of everything up.

as i have said many times on many forums, i have absolutely NO issue with LEGAL immigration. legal immigrants come to this country, and become part of this country, and they support themselves, and pay their taxes, and generally earn their way to citizenship. legal immigrants are generally not a drain on the system.

[mauiwowie]

Originally Posted by Bummer

This is definitely a "unique" thread . . .

What difference does it make if the Illegals are smuggling drugs or humans or "merely" entering this country to steal from the legal Arizona and U.S. Taxpayers with their ID Theft Scams and sponging off our social services?

A common criminal is a COMMON CRIMINAL and needs to be dealt with accordingly.

The difference is in the truth. There is no reliable evidence to support what Brewer has claimed.

All crimes are not the same. There are mitigating and aggravating circumstances and affirmative defenses to criminal charges.

I'm not claiming that unlawful entry is good. I believe that Brewer is attemting to stoke emotions. Most likely to gain support for her first gubernatorial campaign as she was toast before taking on the immigration fight. Sometimes, clear rational thinking helps in evaluating claims.

I think it hurts her credibility when she makes things up and can not support her position with evidence. What else is she making up? Is there a line she will not cross when it supports her agenda or helps further her political career?


To claim that most unlawfully present in AZ, which is akin to speeding, are involved in much more nefarious activities is both dishonest and cynical. She IMO is attempting to paint with a broad brush to garner support, but a fine point would do much better.


Surely, you do not believe that ALL violations of law are equal.

[Ritchie_az]

"Can you provide reliable statistics on that?"

Nope, but I've heard first hand accounts from both sides.

[Bummer]

Originally Posted by mauiwowie

Surely, you do not believe that ALL violations of law are equal.

ABSOLUTELY, Mauiwowie . . . I firmly believe ALL Common Criminals should be treated as such.

Entering this country illegally is a crime.

Stealing an ID to obtain employment or "freebies" is a horrible crime. Wait until it happens to you?

Working "under the table" and claiming poverty in order to sponge off the taxpayers is a crime.

Driving without a License and/or Insurance is a crime.

The list goes on and on and on and . . .

However, I also believe you have every right to support as many Illegals you wish . . . AFTER they have been deported. Generally speaking, those individuals advocating the support of illegals prefer to do so with someone else's money, NEVER THEIR OWN.

[Zonie5]

this is just my opine . here we have a POOR illegal crossing the border . if he is so poor ,how can he afford the coyotes fee of guiding him across the border ? master card?visa? amex? or just maybe he pays off his fee by being a mule and bringing a few kilos of drugs across with him .