[Sparrow_temp]

There is absolutely no need for illegal immigration. It is way past time to take this problem seriously. The AZ law is nothing; it simply enforces the Federal law. We should be arresting the farmers who "relied" on this form of labor. The state has a huge amount of unemployed -- they should be out on the farms instead of sitting on their buts collecting Unemployment or Welfare. The people utilizing illegal labor are doing so to reduce costs. The wages probably should be a lot higher for farm labor -- it's hard work. Maybe the government should be directly subsidizing farmers instead of indirectly doing it by not enforcing the immigration laws. Worst case: use prison labor. We have all kinds of people in prison for nonviolent crime -- make them useful to society.

I don't think at this point in time there is any need for LEGAL immigration. It's not everybody's right in the world to come to this country. We have huge economic problems that immigration adds to. We definitely don't need any more H1B immigrants. They've decimated the IT sector -- Americans citizens are routinely let go in favor of cheaper H1B labor and often have to train their successor. At some point if we need immigrants again, pass a law similar to that of Mexico -- their immigration laws are sane.

If the state wants to pass a law on immigration, pass one to go after the employers (even families). Fine them so severely per illegal that it will completely bankrupt a business if they're caught violating the law. If the problem is as severe as thought, it should provide a good revenue stream for the state. It shouldn't be nearly as controversial as the AZ law because it doesn't target the illegals but the net result would be that illegals in the state would leave for other states where they could find jobs. I guess the irony is that the Granholm administration has done a lot for the illegal immigrant problem because it has killed so many jobs. And don't provide any type of welfare benefits for people here illegally -- the state cannot afford it and this is an insane policy to begin with.

[NSX]

Guess I learn something new everyday on C-D. Never knew illegal immigration was any kind of a problem in Michigan, but then again, I live in the Ann Arbor area.

[NSX]

Exactly. To get rid of illegal immigration, it doesn't make sense to drive around and "look for people who look illegal". Going after employers of real illegals would help to cut off the problem at the source.

Originally Posted by Sparrow_temp

There is absolutely no need for illegal immigration. It is way past time to take this problem seriously. The AZ law is nothing; it simply enforces the Federal law. We should be arresting the farmers who "relied" on this form of labor. The state has a huge amount of unemployed -- they should be out on the farms instead of sitting on their buts collecting Unemployment or Welfare. The people utilizing illegal labor are doing so to reduce costs. The wages probably should be a lot higher for farm labor -- it's hard work. Maybe the government should be directly subsidizing farmers instead of indirectly doing it by not enforcing the immigration laws. Worst case: use prison labor. We have all kinds of people in prison for nonviolent crime -- make them useful to society.

I don't think at this point in time there is any need for LEGAL immigration. It's not everybody's right in the world to come to this country. We have huge economic problems that immigration adds to. We definitely don't need any more H1B immigrants. They've decimated the IT sector -- Americans citizens are routinely let go in favor of cheaper H1B labor and often have to train their successor. At some point if we need immigrants again, pass a law similar to that of Mexico -- their immigration laws are sane.

If the state wants to pass a law on immigration, pass one to go after the employers (even families). Fine them so severely per illegal that it will completely bankrupt a business if they're caught violating the law. If the problem is as severe as thought, it should provide a good revenue stream for the state. It shouldn't be nearly as controversial as the AZ law because it doesn't target the illegals but the net result would be that illegals in the state would leave for other states where they could find jobs. I guess the irony is that the Granholm administration has done a lot for the illegal immigrant problem because it has killed so many jobs. And don't provide any type of welfare benefits for people here illegally -- the state cannot afford it and this is an insane policy to begin with.

[atlrus]

The problem is a bit more complex.

1. Farmers in the southern states have always relied on Mexican labor for their seasonal needs, long before immigration laws even existed in the US, just ask some of the old timers down south and they will tell you how their grandfathers were hiring Mexicans back in the days during harvest time.

2. As bad as the economy is, I have never met an American willing to do strawberry picking for $6-8/hour. I have also never met a farmer willing to pay more than that to anyone, American or not.

3. Work ethics are non-existent in today's youth. For a teenager working at McDonnalds means exactly working at McDonnalds.

4.You want to pay $1 for a burger when a bottle of watter costs $1.29? Well, they have to cut cost somehow to offer you a $1 burger.

5. A computer to the US teenager means a social device, not a tool. They use it to go to Facebook, not learn C++.

6. If you are an American, speak the language and know the culture, something is wrong if you cannot compete with a foreigner who doesn't speak the language and has no idea about the social and business culture of the country.

I can go on and on for ever... Bottom line is that Mexicans come over il/legaly because there are opportunities for them created by the American employer, I cannot blame anyone who tries to better their live given the opportunity. One cannot blame the employers either, when the majority of us have no problem buying the cheaper Chinese goods at Walmart over the much more expensive made in USA...

[Ann_Arbor]

I actually think they need to invite more immigrants into Detroit, Mexicantown is really the only thriving/functional neighborhood outside downtown.

[NSX]

Originally Posted by Ann_Arbor

I actually think they need to invite more immigrants into Detroit, Mexicantown is really the only thriving/functional neighborhood outside downtown.

+1

Have you been to Xochimilco in Mexicantown? Love that place, my favorite restaurant in the country, period.

[hardworker9999]

you want to hire a lazy person from detroit who eventually will sue the employer and also collect the unemployment for 2 years. Just drive around around detroit area and you will see about 1000 boards from the lawyers "have you been injured at work" . this is the reason there are no jobs. Before pointing at illegal imigrants control the lawyers and make the legal system hard for lazy people to collect work mans comp, disability , bridge card etc

[mkfarnam]

Originally Posted by hardworker9999

you want to hire a lazy person from detroit who eventually will sue the employer and also collect the unemployment for 2 years. Just drive around around detroit area and you will see about 1000 boards from the lawyers "have you been injured at work" . this is the reason there are no jobs. Before pointing at illegal imigrants control the lawyers and make the legal system hard for lazy people to collect work mans comp, disability , bridge card etc

Deport the illegals and 95% of the lawyers will disappear.

[darstar]

Originally Posted by hardworker9999

you want to hire a lazy person from detroit who eventually will sue the employer and also collect the unemployment for 2 years. Just drive around around detroit area and you will see about 1000 boards from the lawyers "have you been injured at work" . this is the reason there are no jobs. Before pointing at illegal imigrants control the lawyers and make the legal system hard for lazy people to collect work mans comp, disability , bridge card etc

Missguided statement, a cop out for sure. lawyers are but a small drop in the bucket , that reform in this area would only make a small difference. More harm than good I am told.

[darstar]

Originally Posted by mkfarnam

Deport the illegals and 95% of the lawyers will disappear.

Maybe in Ca. and AZ. Not so elsewhere. I would hate to try to make a living as a lawyer on the backs of Illegals. Not where the money is for sure !