Are Santa Fe and New Mexico generally hospitable for illegals? (how much, hotels)

[bongo]

Excellent NY Times article. Thanks for posting it.

[aries63]

If you open the "multimedia" graphic in above-mentioned article you'll see something funny... the map of NM shows Albuquerque where Santa Fe is supposed to be.

[stevenvillatoro]

Regardless of whether there's a problem or not, there is still the matter of right vs. wrong in our fundamental approach to issues. The end doesn't necessarily justify the means. It's hard to get past the inflammatory and biased media- and politically-driven hype regarding immigration in order to authentically discuss the real issue(s).

[hkfrost]

Originally Posted by stevenvillatoro

Regardless of whether there's a problem or not, there is still the matter of right vs. wrong in our fundamental approach to issues. The end doesn't necessarily justify the means. It's hard to get past the inflammatory and biased media- and politically-driven hype regarding immigration in order to authentically discuss the real issue(s).

It's not immigration. It's ILLEGAL immigration. Illegal is illegal. That means breaking the law. That's the real issue. Try to illegally migrate into mexico, and see what happens. Not pretty.

[stevenvillatoro]

Originally Posted by hkfrost

It's not immigration. It's ILLEGAL immigration. Illegal is illegal. That means breaking the law. That's the real issue. Try to illegally migrate into mexico, and see what happens. Not pretty.

I never met anyone before who hasn't broken any laws... definitely nice to meet you. I never met anyone before, either, who felt that all laws were equitable or humane. (Thank God we didn't live when slavery was the law, right?) Regardless of legality, I love what our Mexican immigrant neighbors, legal or not, do for our country. They are good friends and I will treat them as such. We made a wise choice when we 'acquired' a huge chunk of Mexico. Keep up your good law-abiding work!

[mdmagana]

the native Hispanics I know dont want any kind of affiliation with Mexicans, to Spanish people the Mexicans might as well be Black cause I have heard alot of nasty things about both in my time. I've actually heard more Spanish people talk negative of the Mexicans than I have Whites.

I'm not condoning nasty things that are said, but I understand where this is coming from. Santa Fe kind of has it's own little bubble and is very accepting of everyone... which is a good thing. A lot of Hispanics have been here legally for many generations and want to separate themselves from Hispanics that just came here illegally. On a national scale I do feel very strongly that there is a growing sentiment of racism against Hispanics and it's because of illegal immigration issue. I'm half Caucasian and half Hispanic... there have been times when I really wished I didn't have the Hispanic surname because of this. I just turned 30 and even I can see how racial tensions toward Hispanics has increased since the 80s or 90s. It's sad because I really don't think 95% of people care that Mexicans want to immigrate to the U.S. It just pisses everyone off that they do it illegally. My Mexican, Irish, and French ancestors all worked their butts off and came here legally... why should modern day Mexicans get a pass? At least that's the way I see it.

If there was a modern day version of Ellis Island along the southern border that everyone went through, I honestly believe that the overwhelming majority of Americans would not have a problem with millions of new LEGAL Mexican immigrants... the more the merrier.

Of course controlling the entire border and building an Ellis Island-like facility that welcomes everyone is a fair and logical solution that politicians on both sides will never accept.

[varelg]

Originally Posted by GreatSantaFe

Thanks. Don't know why my link didn't work. Glad you caught it!

You somehow got "http://" twice at the start of the address, which happens when you use the "Insert link" button that adds http:// to whatever you paste into the dialog box. A bit of a tidium but great article though grateful for the link.
Even the president agrees there is a need for reform on the system of immigration. Arizona's new law may have speed things up.
Governor Richardson's comment just after the president's speech caught my eye though: how easy it is for an undocumented foreigner to get a New Mexico driver licence? He mentioned something in the tune of "rules for checking status when issuing driver licence in New Mexico aren't that strict". I live in a state that considers something similar to Arizona's law and Florida is among the first to adopt new stricter requirements for identification of immigrants that apply for driver license. Which often comes down to "no green card- no license".

[Pretzelogik]

Originally Posted by midwest liberal

After seeing the immigration law changes in Arizona, I am really glad I moved to New Mexico and look forward to learning more about the attitudes and acceptance of this state

Would you like to buy my house so that I can move to AZ?

[varelg]

Originally Posted by mdmagana

My Mexican, Irish, and French ancestors all worked their butts off and came here legally... why should modern day Mexicans get a pass? At least that's the way I see it.
...
Of course controlling the entire border and building an Ellis Island-like facility that welcomes everyone is a fair and logical solution that politicians on both sides will never accept.

Those were different times than the times we are living in now. How many gang- related murders were commited in Ciudad Juarez when your ancestors immigrated to United States? How many US corporations offshored parts of their manufacturing processes to underdeveloped countries that totaly lack enforcement of enviromental and labor law at that time? Was any foreign capital bombed to oblivion and then invaded by US troops at the time your ancestors stepped on this land? You just can't compare.
There were times when people were offered to go to US (South Europe), there were guys knocking on doors asking people if they wanted to go to US, Australia, Canada and rarely anyone accepted the offer. They all had their jobs and standard of living and were comfortable where they are. That was the 1960's. Now?
Is Santa Fe a wine- loving city with exciting restaurant scene? How much are restaurant chains dominant there?

[exocat]

Has had several ICE raids