Study: Immigrants Add To State's Bottom Line
Arkansas Host to Fastest Hispanic Immigrant Growth in Nation
Last updated Wednesday, April 4, 2007 8:49 PM CDT in News
By Don Dailey
The Morning News
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BENTONVILLE -- Immigrants in Benton and Washington counties contributed $6.1 million to the state budget's bottom line in 2004, a study released this week shows.
The study, commissioned by the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation and conducted by the Urban Institute in Washington, D.C., also showed Arkansas had the fastest-growing Hispanic population between 2000 and 2005, and about 51 percent of immigrants in the state are undocumented.
The study is the first to take an in-depth look at the demographic characteristics and economic impact of immigration on Arkansas, a state that saw a 37 percent growth in immigrants during the first half of this decade to about 123,000.
Northwest Arkansas experienced even higher immigrant growth rates. Benton and Washington counties saw 106 percent and 57 percent growth to 20,296 and 18,414 respectively, the study found.
Bill Rahn, senior program manager with the Rockefeller Foundation, said the organization conducted the study to gather real numbers about a much-debated issue.
"We know there's this huge growth," Rahn said. "It's new to Arkansas and has a big impact."
He said the organization is not using the study to take a political position on immigration.
The study used data from the 2000 Census and surveys conducted in 2005 by the Census Bureau in addition to information from the Arkansas Department of Education. The study included the U.S. born children of immigrants as immigrants themselves, even though they are U.S. citizens.
Rahn and four of the study's authors presented the findings Wednesday at NorthWest Arkansas Community College to a large audience made up of mostly Hispanic community leaders from Benton and Washington counties.
Steven Camarota, director of research at the Center for Immigration Studies, a Washington, D.C., think tank that advocates immigration reform, said the Urban Institute generally takes a view sympathetic to immigrants and their employers.
The Rockefeller Foundation study says immigrants are replacing native workers at the lower wage levels as those better-educated native workers move into higher-paying jobs, but Camarota said studies by his organization show a different dynamic.
"What seems to be happening is natives in those skill categories are leaving the work force, so that seems to indicate they are being crowded out," Camarota said.
James Johnson Jr., a co-author of the Rockefeller study, admitted there seems to be a national preference by employers for immigrant labor, fueled by the immigrants' willingness to work long hours for lower pay and their tendency to stay longer in those jobs.
"Are they being exploited, yes, probably, but there's something about an immigrant where the glass is always half full," Johnson said.
Immigrants impact the state beyond the money they are paid and the cost of providing government services, the authors said.
"The reality is their presence indirectly creates tax revenues and jobs" among the native-born population, said Everett Henderson, one of the authors.
The study found immigrants' economic impact in the state was about $3 billion in 2004. The total includes a 20 percent reduction in immigrant buying power to account for wages sent out of the country. The economic impact is the total contributions from immigrants, including consumer spending and taxes, and costs, including education, health service delivery and imprisonment.
The difference between costs and contributions resulted in a $19 million -- $158 per immigrant -- addition to the state's budget, the study said.
In Washington and Benton counties, the economic impact was $749 million.
The study also looked at immigrant family life in Arkansas and found the state's immigrants are predominately from Mexico and Central America and the state had the fastest-growing Hispanic population in the nation between 2000 and 2005 at 48 percent.
More than half the immigrants in Arkansas are in the country illegally. Nationally, 3 in 10 immigrants are unauthorized with about half of those having overstayed a visa.
"In this part of the country it's more likely the larger share came across the (Mexican) border" without permission, said Randy Capps, one of the studies authors.
Capps said the high number of illegal immigrants can be attributed to the high level of recent immigration and the fact that most immigrants come from Mexico and Latin America.
Naturalized citizens, the only immigrants eligible to vote, make up 23 percent of the immigrant population, limiting their political clout.
"A big change from Congress making undocumented immigrants citizens will have to happen before immigrants get any political power," Capps said.
Highlights
Key findings of the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation's profile of immigrants in Arkansas.
* Arkansas had the fourth-fastest-growing immigrant population nationwide between 1990 and 2000: 196 percent.
* About half of Arkansas immigrants, or 62,730, are in the state illegally; most come to the state for work.
* Four counties, Benton, Washington, Sebastian and Pulaski, are home to 63 percent of the state's immigrants.
* Children in immigrant families are more likely than those in native-born families to live with two parents.
* Students with limited English proficiency are concentrated in a handful of districts, mostly in western and Northwest Arkansas.
* The economic impact of immigrants on the Arkansas economy is about $3 billion.
* Immigrant purchasing power is only partially tapped in many localities.
Web Watch
The entire study can be seen at
www.wrfoundation.org/index.php?page=resources&sub=publications
Reader Comments (131 comment(s))
The following comments are provided by readers and are the sole responsibility of their authors. The Morning News does not review comments before their publication, nor do we guarantee their accuracy. By publishing a comment here you agree to abide by our comment policy. If you see a comment that violates our policy, please notify the web editor.
Flawed study wrote on Apr 4, 2007 9:16 PM:
" This study fails to account for the economic damage caused by undocumented citizens. Surely this net contribution would be reduced if we consider the shooting victims, hit-an-run victims, and rampant vandalism. By artificially suppressing wages, they force native born employees into public assistance. This report is very flawed and the debate is far from over. "
JESSICA wrote on Apr 4, 2007 11:33 PM:
" ..AND THE WHITE -TRASH INDUSTRY IS STILL METH AND ILLEGAL DRUGS LABS?
"
FOR JESS wrote on Apr 4, 2007 11:44 PM:
" "..AND THE WHITE -TRASH INDUSTRY IS STILL METH AND ILLEGAL DRUGS LABS? "------ YES, BROUGHT TO THE AREA BY SMELLY, SCUZZY, LAW BREAKING, TRASHY HISPANICS.
"
IMMIGRANT B. S. wrote on Apr 4, 2007 11:47 PM:
" And who was preforming all of these jobs before the illegal invasion occured ? ? ? ? "
To : Jessica wrote on Apr 5, 2007 12:04 AM:
" Well Jessica according to the latest DEA news release, published last week, 80% of ALL Meth is being smuggled into the UNITED STATES of AMERICA from mexico. And that's just what the DEA is aware of. And that is due to our stricter laws on the sale of the precursors to meth. As hard as it may seem to believe Even YOUR country is finally starting to crack down on the labs. "
GO HOME wrote on Apr 5, 2007 12:58 AM:
" Tell that to the three children of the man murdered last fall on his way home from work, tell that to the family of the young man killed for $30.00 and his jacket, tell that to the little girl raped on school grounds. The little girl ran over and killed in Springdale, the girl raped and murdered by her own uncle, and yesterday the man who wrote The Christmas Story and his son killed by and Illegal Alien DRIVING WHILE INTOXICATED with no drivers license, no insurance. Where is M.A.D.D.? All of the families destroyed by Methamphetamine and cocaine that comes across our borders with the Illegal Aliens. "
Realistic wrote on Apr 5, 2007 1:15 AM:
" Maybe the state will send some of those millions to Springdale to pay the e-room bills and extra teachers and school employees. "
lifelongcitizen wrote on Apr 5, 2007 7:19 AM:
" Amen, Realistic. Talk to the area hospitals, and ask them about the drain that the illegal community has put on our health programs. And talk to area teachers about the stresses caused in their jobs by the situation. "
justuschckens wrote on Apr 5, 2007 7:26 AM:
" I'd like to know where thay got their numbers. This whole study sounds like a load of minure. I would bet Wal Mart and Tyson had something to with this study. "
Mary wrote on Apr 5, 2007 7:48 AM:
" It's open borders propaganda, don't fall for it. These sorts of "studies" are appearing everywhere that there is resistance to illegals taking over our societies. In California, we seem to have one of these "studies" released every single week. One "study" "proved" that illegals don't use healthcare -- when we've had 80 hospitals closed because of them abusing the "free" medical care that emergency rooms are forced to offer them. Another "study" "proved" that illegals have a lower crime rate than legals -- when the FBI just released figures last week showing that the border states are the most dangerous, crime-ridden states in the Union. Yet another "study" "proved" that illegals don't push down wages. These "studies" are all produced by organizations funded by the open borders pimps who want to destroy our nation. Does anybody feel "enriched" by the illegals? "
Mary wrote on Apr 5, 2007 7:50 AM:
" PS notice how the "study" dishonestly conflates illegals with legal immigrants and puts them all into the same pot. That is how they hide or disguise the economic and social damage caused by the illegals. "
tax base contribution wrote on Apr 5, 2007 8:28 AM:
" I guess when the contribution made comes from taxes, they must mean sales and not income... and the food sales taxes are being reduced! Don't get me wrong, lower food sales tax is a good thing, but that would cut their "contribution" even more... "
flamingo79 wrote on Apr 5, 2007 8:38 AM:
" "WRF (Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation) uses its resources to build and sustain strong communities for all Arkansans by supporting and strengthening the organizations that serve them. Our program areas include:
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
EDUCATION
ECONOMIC, RACIAL, AND SOCIAL JUSTICE"
hmmm - I would suggest this study has to be spun in a positive light in order to fit within the organization's mission.
Noone denies the benefits to our community and country by the contributions of immigrants - because immigrants have gone through the process of becoming Americans as per our Country's laws. Illegal aliens on the other hand, are NOT immigrants - they are criminals - so unless and until a report shows the true costs of ILLEGAL ALIENS it is disengenous at best to lump them into a report and call it a rallying cry for the contributions "immigrants" make to our community. 51% are illegal, eh? I keep reading about worksite raids throughout the country - when will it be our turn? Please, ICE, please? "
The Savior Himself Could Say It wrote on Apr 5, 2007 9:36 AM:
" Amazing, the savior himslef could return from heaven and declare the truth to humanity and those who hate would still hate. Those who rail against thier neighbor should rememeber the words of thier beloved savior who used stories to illustrate what was near and dear to his heart:Love. He told the story of the Good Samaritan to provoke thought among those who would rail and discriminate against those that are different then them.
Hatred and vitriol will only lead to more of the same. Pragmatism and intellectual honesty is what is needed. The study simply demonstrates certain facts, we don't have to agree with the findings or like the findings, but the findings are what they are. We can take what we learn from this study and from research that has been done with crime statistics in the area and conclude that Hispanics whether they have a peice of paper or not, are not the evil scourge they are said to be. We should look deep in our hearts and ask ourselves, what is is about these people that bothers us so much, I suspect we would find that we are simply uncomfortable with thier culture which is quite foriegn to us. If we could establish this honesty then we could move forward with the process of learning about these people who seem so different than us. I bet we would find they are not so different than you or me. "
flamingo79 wrote on Apr 5, 2007 9:39 AM:
" and since there are many, many other "studies" available completed by "reputable" organizations to show the absolute opposite views of this "study", I'm assuming we'll have a "conference" with select members of the community "leaders" represented at NWACC showing the other view, correct? hmmm....how come I didn't hear about this meeting beforehand? Oh, that's right, I am a caucasion, with an opposing view who might have questioned the methology of this study. "
Tspud wrote on Apr 5, 2007 9:48 AM:
" Here's another study in todays Washington Post: http://www.washingtontimes.com/national/20070405-123141-6880r.htm Immigration reforms that increase the number of low-skilled workers entering the United States threaten to impose a high cost on taxpayers, says a study being released today. The Heritage Foundation report calculates that for every $1 unskilled workers pay in taxes they receive about $3 in government benefits, including Medicaid, food stamps, public housing and other welfare programs. Now my 2 cents. What about school, hospital, insurance & incarceration costs? " "
TO MUCH- AFRAID wrote on Apr 5, 2007 10:24 AM:
" I do not allow my children to walk the streets because of child predators, who if you look at the crime statistics in NWA, the clear majority are white males.
It's not drive by's you have to worry about it's DRUG BUYS, which again if you look at the crime statistics in NWA you will find that the clear majority of those arrested for possession are white males.
I am not worried about my children being hurt other than by the racist fear mongering unfortunately has become the norm in NWA. I do not have to look to LA to see what is store for NWA I can look to NWA and see it's strong ties to it's racist past; a past that some people would like to see become our future. Give up your fear and loathing and trade it in for love and understanding, it's a more peaceful way to live. GOD ALSO HELPS THOSE WHO EDUCATE THEMSELVES. "
Bullroar Study wrote on Apr 5, 2007 10:36 AM:
" The ILLEGAL behavior of those Trespassing are not Immigrants. Immigrants are a wonderful addition to our society. They bring flavor and culture along with their desire to live withing the guidelines of the Red, White, and Blue. They do their best to fit in within the society they joined and they attempt to speak the language, not change the language. This article again shows how stupid many think the American people are...like those that think that if the "Savior" would come to Earth and state that trespassers upon a countries land should be treated as though they are citizens. If the Savior himself, came down from Heaven and said that...I would personally tell him straight to his face that he needs to go back to Heaven cause he has NO CLUE what is going on here on Earth! Then I would ask him to take all those that are having a hard time in Satan's Land, and let them freely roam the realm of Heaven cause many of them just need a better place to live. Why would the Savior have any Hate for those people that are escaping Satan's Land, to enter Heaven? So hence he should allow people in Satan's land to enter Heaven and Heaven should accept them with open arms and wings! I can say Heaven but I can not say .... cause of the filters! Heck, I can't even say Jes.. or Chri..!! "
It isn't about Race, stop trying to make it as such wrote on Apr 5, 2007 10:50 AM:
" If you feel so compelled to authorize trespassers into this region then I guess it would be ok for ANYONE to camp out on your front lawn and live and use your garage for shelter if the weather gets bad. I guess it is ok for them to use your water, gas, and electricity. It is ok for them to use your driveway and it is ok for anyone to use whatever resources that are available on your property. It is also ok for anyone and everyone to simply attend your local school and community college and expect to be given free education themselves and yet have the bill go to your quarters. Maybe that is ok for you, but I do not think many that are against TRESPASSERS really care about what color any of them are, for if it were White Russians, Yellow Chinese, Purple Dinasours, Red Martians, or Polka-dotted anything, the issue would still be there ILLEGAL actions and not about the color of their skin. "
BRAVO!!! wrote on Apr 5, 2007 11:32 AM:
" Why im i not suprised...like i said before immigrant are what built this country and as you can see, iam right, even the study show how much of a great impact immigration has brought to this country and state. It also mentions that by immigration growing so rapidly, jobs are been created and thats what makes the state of Arkansas such a great place to live, trust iam going to invite ALL my legal and Illegal friends to move out here, i welcome anyone else who want to offer their family a better way of living, oh and if you plan to make the ignorant comment about how illegals bring drungs and crime to the states, GROW UP, crime will never go away and you dont cutdown a tree just because of one bad apple...BIENVENIDOS. "
American Citizen wrote on Apr 5, 2007 11:37 AM:
" Theodore Roosevelt's ideas on Immigrants and being an AMERICAN in 1907."In the first place, we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin. But this is predicated upon the person's becoming in every facet an American, and nothing but an American...There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn't an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag... We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language... and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people."
Theodore Roosevelt 1907 "
JESSICA wrote on Apr 5, 2007 11:38 AM:
" TO HA:
YEAH..!! LONG TIME AGO..!! BUT RIGHT NOW MOST CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES HAVE TO OUTSOURCE PEOPLE, JUST BECAUSE NOBODY WANT TO WORK IN DUSTY JOBS.!!..FOR EXAMPLE NEW ORLEANS, 90% OF THE PEOPLE WORKING IN THE RE-CONSTRUCTION OF THAT CITY ARE HISPANICS..!!, ONE COMPANY THERE HAD TO OUTSURCE PEOPLE FROM GUATEMALA AND PERU WITH H1B WORKING VISAS..!! NO AMERICAN WANTED THE JOB!!
"
Jobs That Atract Illegals wrote on Apr 5, 2007 11:47 AM:
" thats right jessica, you have a point about hispanics doing the majority of the jobs in new orleans, to all the caucasians griping about loosing there jobs here to illegals the first day of construction in new orleans you guys should of drove your pale behinds to new orleans, you complain about illegals but you fail to do the jobs that attract illegals. There a southern racist saying that goes like this, If i would of known what was gonna happen i would of picked my own darn cotton, Now the new is gonna go like this If i would of know what would happen i would of worked the minimum wage job without all the benefits i tried to milk> "
So misinformed wrote on Apr 5, 2007 11:47 AM:
" The reason construction jobs are mostly filled by Hispanics is quite simply just becuse they work for NOTHING. It is actually very sad for them too. Read the Grapes of Wrath and educate yourself a little. "
IF THE BOOK WAS WRITTEN LIKE THIS wrote on Apr 5, 2007 11:53 AM:
" THEN IT WOULD BE MORE FEASIBLE TO READ. ASKING SOMEONE TO READ A BOOK THAT IS WRITTEN LIKE this, is really being cruel to those that have only 1 way to type. WE ALL SHOULD BE MORE SENSATIVE TO THOSE THAT TYPE LIKE THIS, FOR THEIR IS A DIRECT RELATIONS TO TYPING LIKE THIS TO ABSOLUTE LUNACY! "
BCR wrote on Apr 5, 2007 1:13 PM:
" ANYONE who has a bigot should be ashamed of themselves, and banished from society. it's wrong, and un-American. We are all immigrants of one sort, or are descended from one. None of the comments I have read are bigoted in any way. They say the same thing. If you want to live here, and benifit from the fruits of society, stand up, be counted, declare yourself a citizen legally, and pay your fair share to support the program. If you can't do that, get out, go back to wherever you came from. "
Lawn Gnomes wrote on Apr 5, 2007 1:24 PM:
" Nobody is camping on your lawn that you did not invite to come and camp on your lawn. These "Amigos" are here at the behest of America and by invitation of our government. Are you kidding me, the government has a turn-the-other-way-and-let-a-few-more-in policy everytime there is a labor shortage in Manufacturing. So keep spending your hard earned tax dollars on ridiculous programs like Section 287(g) of the Immigration and nationality Act and follow your Keystone Cop like lawmakers like blind sheep and they will ultimately impoverish you by robbing you blind. John Woods, Jim Holt, Steve Womack, John Boozeman and others just like them have abandoned your interest for their own self interests. Wake-up uneducated American, you are being bamboozled. Documentation is simply a piece of paper being mishandled by your greedy politicians who ensure thier re-elections by throwing tantrum throwing fools, a ridiculous peice of legislation once in a while. They don't want to solve the issue, don't you get it, it keeps them in power. We elected Republicans to all 3 branches of governemnt and the Republicans themselves blocked comprehensive immigration reform, why? There is strong demand for cheap labor which many including the authors of this study consider to be paramount to our economy. Be grateful that these foriegn amigos are here and put up with your rantings or you and your children may once again be standing in long soup lines begging your double crossing politicians for more crumbs. "
Censored wrote on Apr 5, 2007 2:29 PM:
" Hey Webmaster, how come my comments always get deleted? I never use cuss words or insinuate cuss words. And I never make racially charged statements. But then you keep the filth from people like Benito? "
WebAdmin wrote on Apr 5, 2007 3:06 PM:
" To "Censored," you can e-mail nwaonline@gmail.com for an explanation. "
To JESSICA: wrote on Apr 5, 2007 3:57 PM:
" No one can "hear" you for all your "yelling". Show some class and turn off the cap lock... educate yourself about web etiquette!
"
Truly Sad wrote on Apr 5, 2007 4:47 PM:
" The next time the illegals decide to have a demonstration we Natives need to be right there and tell them to leave in the ICE trucks we have on stand by for the event. "
To Truly Sad wrote on Apr 5, 2007 5:12 PM:
" You are absolutely right. But in last May 30th's demonstration by the illegals, Tysons passed out circulars stating "Anyone" wanting the day off to attend must clear it with their supervisor prior to that date. Well, if it weren't for most of the caucasians being denied time off they would have had to shut down more than just the 3-4 lines that they did because 85-90% of the "Hispanics" were granted the day off without pay/occurence's. There Needs To Be Better Planning (on our part) Next Time So That "WE CAN MAKE OUR VOICE'S AND BUYING POWER BE KNOWN" !!!!!!! "
To Truly Sad and Truly "Sadder" wrote on Apr 5, 2007 6:08 PM:
" Yeah, when we run out of ideas and intelligent things to say, I agree, lets sit and commiserate together about how our little world is being "destroyed." We poor little Southern folk are so abused, so down trodden and so taken advantage of. I can't imagine why people say were backwards? Anyone have any spare tobacco, I got me an itchy tooth? "
I am even more disapointed wrote on Apr 5, 2007 6:55 PM:
" So only light skinned Americans have paid the price for thier citizenship? While I am grateful for your son's sacrifice, understand that he is joined by thousands of Americans of all skin colors, each fighting for thier America.
My citizenship did cost my family dearly as did my ancestors survival.
I too am sickened by our nations' politicians who have put us in this predicament, pitting neighbor against neighbor and setting America's pigmented children up for discrimination.
Talk about guns and violence will serve no purpose other than more hatred and more violence. I blame loudmouths like, Holt, Woods and Womack who use these divisive issues for thier political gain. I also blame politicians like Boozeman who speak out of both sides of their mouths caring only for thier re-election.
Turn your attention from the border and take a look at the homegrown criminals that we are producing at an alarming rate. Socio-economics is the key issue, it always has been and always will be, until one day we humans evovolve into a creature with a perfect balance between desire and instinct. "
GO HOME wrote on Apr 5, 2007 7:03 PM:
" To "No", Did you just realize that? It's been that way for a few years now...anytime we speak out against Illegal Aliens stealing, murdering and drug dealing we are racist. I realize we have citizens who are criminals also, but does this justify letting all of Mexico's criminal population jump across the border and victimize us and our children?
"
GO HOME wrote on Apr 5, 2007 7:18 PM:
" For "Jessica" ATF agents arrested three mexicans, Luis Estrada, Miguel Cantu, Gabriel Juarez with six guns, 2000 rounds of ammo, $640,000 in cash and Cocaine///////32 year old mexican arrested with 960 POUNDS of Marijuana hidden in concrete pillars at Mariposa Port of Entry in Nogales////////DEA seized 45.2 million dollars, 27,229 POUNDS of Marijuana, 9,512 POUNDS of Methamphetamine, 227 POUNDS of PURE Methamphetamine or "ICE" and 11 POUNDS of heroin from the Cazares-Gastellum Drug Cartel in San Diego....I could go on all night, but these alone justify building the border fence that our government says is too expensive. I have and idea, lets take all of the money we seize in drug busts and the illegal alien criminals in our prisons and buy the materials we need and have the prisoners build the fence, that way it won't cost the government (taxpayers) one penny. "
disappointed wrote on Apr 5, 2007 7:18 PM:
" to I am even more disappointed: where did i say anything about race for you to bring that up in response to me? i have served with way too many good men who were brown and earned their citizenship in the Marines. this is not about race. i care little if you share my skin color, my clan's nation of origin nd even my name- if you are here illegally go home, you are not wanted! "
disappointed wrote on Apr 5, 2007 7:55 PM:
" were i to sneak into a nation to better my life economically and be caught i would like to think i would not then curse that nation for trying to control immigration, secure its borders and protect its citizens from harm. we owe them nothing. were the government doing its job ref this issue it would not be an issue. we just want them to do their job with the same diligence that most of the illegals do theirs with. what is so wrong with that? for the record, were i in their shoes i too would try to sneak in. i do not hate them, i detest our own people and leaders who let this situation exist. "
Just wondering... wrote on Apr 5, 2007 8:00 PM:
" who will buy the products the illegals are producing for $2.00 less an hour when all of the American citizens can no longer afford to buy them because of depressed wages and the fact that big buisness is giving all of our jobs to illegals? I can't survive on one penny less than I make now, not when I have to pay for all of the things the Illegals get for free! Who will buy all these homes they are building so cheap? Who will eat at all these new restaurants? Our Economy will collapse simply because the Middle Class, who make the majority of purchases in this country, (homes, appliances, cars, etc...) will cease to exist. "
To GO HOME wrote on Apr 5, 2007 8:19 PM:
" A Rogers man was sentenced to 18 years in prison Thursday after pleading guilty to raaping a 4 year old girl. Robert Steven Mix, 25 was sentanced by Benton County Circuit Judge David Clinger. ...Mix will complete a sex offender program in prison and serve a 12 year suspended sentance after release. David Lee Daniels, 31 already must serve at least seven years in prison, but he will not face more prison for his alleged Benton County Crimes. Daniels was charged with raape, two counts of sexual assulat and failure to appear. A teenage girl told police that Daniels had raped her at his apartment... I could go on all night but these alone justify the fact that we have a serious problem right here in NWA. Aside from these criminlas we also have to worry about those who would protect them because they are too preoccupied with a fence at the border. I have an idea, let's take these fiends to GO HOMES neighborhood so that he can deal with them. Wake up crime is color blind and will continue to go unchecked along with 30,000 warrents that cannot be served because of lack of manpower, meanwhile your anti-immigrant poster boy is running around trying to tie up the police department by forcing them to play border cop. What are you going to do when one of these creeps moves into your neighborhood? "
GO HOME wrote on Apr 5, 2007 8:29 PM:
" The point is, if these people were not here illegally these crimes would not have been commited in the first place, now we have to pay to incarcerate them and for their legal defense. I realize that we have our own criminals to deal with, does that justify allowing all of mexico's criminals to come here illegally "
GO HOME wrote on Apr 5, 2007 8:44 PM:
" Still waiting... I suggest that the reason there is not enough manpower is that our police forces are too busy dealing with Illegal Immigrant Crimes. "
your right wrote on Apr 5, 2007 9:45 PM:
" I know that that is a HUGE PROBLEM...right now there is (in Springdale anyway) there is 1 officer to every 10,000 people...and let me remind those of you who don't know but those numbers only account for the DOCUMENTED people who live in the city....so yes..it's a big problem which is why it is so important for the United States to deport these people and secure out borders. "
Get a clue wrote on Apr 5, 2007 10:09 PM:
" 1 officer for every 10,000 people? That would mean Springdale had 6 police officers. Get a clue. The force currectly has about 150 staff although not all are officers. "
to get a clue wrote on Apr 5, 2007 10:16 PM:
" Really......so on 1 shift how many policeman do you thing are on duty??? 6 OR 7 so that would be 1 officer for every 10,000 people.... "
Jerry Hawkins wrote on Apr 5, 2007 11:24 PM:
" I always did like a biased report, censorted to lean the way the author wants it. Jessica has yet to learn how to post in the USA. "
American Amercan wrote on Apr 6, 2007 6:53 AM:
" What is this "We are all immigrants" (garbage)..I was born here.. These illegals were not born here. I have a US passport & birth certificate, the illgal aliens has stolen or fake ID. I have a right to vote, they have to leave.
"
estupidos wrote on Apr 6, 2007 6:55 AM:
" if mexico bring drus to the US is because you junkies ask for it, when have u seen a hispanic with blister and missing teeth? "
let the arrests continue wrote on Apr 6, 2007 7:45 AM:
" Private persons and entities may initiate civil suits to obtain injunctions and treble damages against enterprises that conspire to or actually violate federal alien smuggling, harboring, or document fraud statutes, under the Racketeer-Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO). The pattern of racketeering activity is defined as commission of two or more of the listed crimes. A RICO enterprise can be any individual legal entity, or a group of individuals who are not a legal entity but are associated in fact, AND CAN INCLUDE NONPROFIT ASSOCIATIONS.
"
oookkkkay... wrote on Apr 6, 2007 8:07 AM:
" Ladies and gentlemen, we have reached a new crisis in spelling and grammar! So it is ok to sell drugs, just don't use them?! That makes you smart, and a productive citizen? PLEASE, SPARE ME! We could go over which race has the highest crime rate, or which causes more problems, but those are diversionary tactics used by people that are enjoying keeping the status quo (BIG BUSINESS), while bleeding the citizenry dry and keeping the general population AT EACH OTHERS THROATS! I like my culture and traditions respected, but would not expect someone who is, oh say, non-christian, to celebrate Easter or Christmas, just because I do. That is what I have a problem with. The only thing that I would like to see is the laws and citizens of this country respected, not being called bigots and racists for standing up for ourselves. "
TO GO HOME who needs to get some rest wrote on Apr 6, 2007 8:19 AM:
" Apparently you have a fasination with crime coming from one segment of the population. Throwing up these anecdotes does nothing to prove anything other than people of all races, whether they have a piece of paper or not, commit crimes. I guess if the light skinned people, who you seem to be giving a pass to were not here, they would not have committed any crimes. Hey why stop there, let's take your logic to it's furthest point and say, if these people had never been born they would have never committed these crimes, so let's abort everyone. How ridiculous is this line of reasoning. Furthermore it might benefit you to take a look at crime statistics in the area and you will see Hispanics whether documented or undocumented, committ less crime by population percentage. Now I could use the same illogic you are employing and say that this means something other than it what it is, say like; This proves that Hispanics are more law abiding as population. I am not going to engage in such stupidity because this is not the case: PEOPLE OF ALL RACES COMMITT CRIMES BASED UPON THIER LIFE EXPERIENCE, REGARDLESS OF THEIR NATIONAL ORIGIN! furthermore you may want to spend some of your late night hours researching and you may find that socio-economics may in fact be the culprit, so I wonder if you will join anti-poverty efforts with the same focus you have for undocumented immigrants? "
JoeMorgan wrote on Apr 6, 2007 8:38 AM:
" Illegals drain tax coffers:
Report: low-skilled workers receive $3 in government benefits for every $1 they pay in taxes.
http://www.amren.com/mtnews/archives/2007/04/lowskilled_alie.php
Then factor in that the average IQ of most of the racial families coming to America is under 90 and you see America slowly de-evolving into a Third World society. "
leaderslistentous wrote on Apr 6, 2007 9:15 AM:
" I read somewhere in a story about this report, one of the hispanic "leaders" made the comment that he hoped city and state leaders would read this report and take it into consideration. Obviously, he was speaking to any of the leaders who are trying to address the problem their CONSTIUENTS have identified, illegal immigration. Yes, sir, you are absolutely right. As this report shows, 51% of the "immigrants" residing in our state are illegal - therefore, 51% of the identified immigrants have absolutely NO VOICE in our State, in our laws, etc. Our leaders need to do what they were elected to do - represent the LEGAL citizens of this state and do what the LEGAL citizens of this state are screaming for - DEPORT THE ILLEGALS. Help the Federal government enforce the existing laws and help craft new ones if warranted to stop the employers from hiring the illegals, ARREST THE EMPLOYERS, and eliminate any and all governmental assistance, including WIC, prenatal care, medical care (non-emergency), education, especially higher-ed, rent-assistance, and every other freebie they illegally obtain. ENOUGH already - ENFORCE THE LAWS through whatever means possible. Mayor Womack is a TRUE LEADER and representative of his LEGAL CONSTITUENTS! "
Tspud wrote on Apr 6, 2007 9:26 AM:
" The 51% are also criminals so that sure blows the "This proves that Hispanics are more law abiding as population." argument out of the water. In addition to breaking the law getting here many add to the list by driving without a license, no insurance, ID theft, theft of services(Don't pay medical bills)tax evasion, etc. These crimes are not counted into the figures because there is no way of knowing just how many there are, but we know it is happening. "
andmore wrote on Apr 6, 2007 9:29 AM:
" "Al Lopez, a local Hispanic activist and a board member for the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation, which funded the report" - give me a break - by combining both legal and illegal immigrants into the study, they were able to extract the end result most suitable to their agenda. Where's the balanced view, by other reputable Foundations, which show the EXACT OPPOSITE, because those reports break out the illegal aliens vs the legal immigrant. I'm assuming NWACC and the Hispanic "leaders" in NWA will have a conference and press conference to show these other reports also. I won't hold my breath.....
"
disappointed wrote on Apr 6, 2007 9:32 AM:
" this study is missing the real issue of the day and that is illegal aliens. no fair minded person is against legal immigration. we are against illegal immigrants. to mix the issue of legal and illegal together and then have a study about the plus or minuses of immigration is to muddy the waters. deal with the two issues seperately. "
to disappointed wrote on Apr 6, 2007 9:58 AM:
" They do get the real issue, that is why they are continually twisting it. They don't want the issue to be split, they want it to be seen as an attack on immigration as a whole so it furthers their causes! "
Wes wrote on Apr 6, 2007 10:29 AM:
" Wow, the illegal immigrants are being supported, while legal, tax-paying immigrants from US Universities are being shut the door. Smart government. "
to the hatefilled person that attacked TSPUD wrote on Apr 6, 2007 12:20 PM:
" Your comments are baseless and shows that you have no clue to what people like TSPUD and those who are against the ILLEGAL abuse of Immigration. When I lived in Japan, I was not a citizen and did not have any special rights. I did not even try to act like I was a citizen for I was not. If I wanted to be a citizen, there was a LEGAL way to achieve such status. It was hard enough to live there while under a work visa and to get my wife to live with me. Immigration is wonderful. What part of that don't you get, oh wait...you get it, but you still choose to be filled with hate and it is easier to attack TSPUD than to admit that yo are filled with hate. What a shame. "
Most companies take wrote on Apr 6, 2007 12:49 PM:
" it upon themselves (like they work for the government or something)to withhold taxes when you voluntarily fill out a W-4, and the Illegal immigrants never file to get it back. You really think the government is going to stop that free money? "
when the people wrote on Apr 6, 2007 12:56 PM:
" start turning in business's and start hiring local/state/federal officials that will enforce the Illegalities. This isn't going to be easy. Already anyone that even remotely says that illegal activity is wrong is labeled a racist or hatemongerer, but it still must be addressed. This is a major uphill fight that we can't afford to let slip because the government is filled with greed on both sides of the aisle. "
Tspud wrote on Apr 6, 2007 1:19 PM:
" I don't usally drink beer, but I was invited to down one with one of your local citizens. I live in IL. I want you to point some of my vitriol in any of my posts. As fars as the crime statistics, most do not break Hispanic/latino out as a group. Personally I don't care if it's a Russian illegal or a Guatemalan, they are here illegally and are using up social services that belong to citizens. Citizenship seems to be a concept that is missing in most of these posts. Just because someone comes into the US, that does not entitle them to the benefits of
citizenship. Twist your logic as you may, the law is on my side. Unfortunately it is not enforced enough. "
Truth wrote on Apr 6, 2007 2:44 PM:
" Its been said a million times and has been proven that when an hispanic person is busted for a crime, they always claim their race/ethnicity is white. This throws off crime stats regarding ethnic background. Every ethnic group commits crime, but crime-rates are not the same across the board. "
usterluvrogers wrote on Apr 6, 2007 3:16 PM:
" Being illegal is still a crime. I don't know how people from DC can decide what is good for NWA. Let them come here and have to listen to Spanish on the automated phone messages, let them see the banners and boards outside banks and businesses just in Spanish, or to look up at the overhead monitors in Wal-Mart and see and hear the commercials in Spanish. It is absolutely ridiculous to say that only Hispanics will do certain jobs over here - who the heck did them before they came over here? Rogers needs to do something now before it gets even more out of hand. "
Tspud wrote on Apr 6, 2007 3:19 PM:
" You conveniently forgot the report I cited in yesterdays Washington Post. Here's some IL news: SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Executives at a Beardstown cleaning company were arrested Wednesday on federal charges that they hired illegal immigrants by arranging for them to steal the identities of U.S. citizens.
Federal immigration agents arrested Gerardo Dominguez-Chacon, the plant manager for Quality Service Integrity Inc. and Maria del Pilar Marroquin de Ramirez, the QSI personnel administrator. The charges against the two Beardstown residents include aggravated identity theft.
Authorities also have filed charges against 25 other employees at QSI, a contractor that cleans a Cargill meat-processing plant, and have arrested 11 of them.
Officials claim Dominquez-Chacon had access to several assumed identities which he provided to new employees. Authorities also accused him of providing information to illegal immigrants regarding how to obtain false identification documents, including social security numbers of U.S. citizens.
It was not immediately clear whether anyone arrested Wednesday had attorneys. A message left at QSI's headquarters in Chattanooga, Tenn. was not immediately returned.
Officials said they also have taken 49 illegal immigrants into custody. Most of QSI's work force turned out to be illegal, they said. "
TOTo TSPUD and his Gallant defender wrote on Apr 6, 2007 3:21 PM:
" ONCE AGAIN....I'll say it REAAAAAALLLL slowly so you can understand English....Immigrants DO contribute to our communities and Country. Illegal aliens DO NOT - not economically, not socially, and certainly NOT culturally. I live in NWA so this IS my community - the only way this report could be considered legitamite is if legal immigrants were separated from illegal aliens. "The Urban Institute researchers don’t break out their cost analysis between legal and illegal aliens, but estimate that all aliens cost the system about $ 237 million in 2004, while contributing $ 257 million in taxes to the state that year. That part of the study also assumes a higher number of Arkansas aliens than do other parts of the report — 123, 000 versus 101, 000" - now why would they calculate one part of their study based upon different figures than the study as a whole?
Additionally, if they're going to present a study such as this, why didn't they also present an equally "legitimate" study conducted by the Federation for American Immigration Reform which shows ILLEGAL ALIENS cost Arkansas $ 117 million for education, emergency medical services and incarcerations. Now isn't that ironic - the difference between the 2 studies is that one looked at illegal aliens only and the other one combined legal immigrants with illegal aliens. You see, figures can be twisted to fit any agenda and all of your talk that illegals contribute positively to our community/Country are FALSE. "
TO TSPUD wrote on Apr 6, 2007 3:43 PM:
" Thank you for saying REEEAAALLL SSSLLLOOOWWW, since I'm not very practiced in rightwing twisted logic. Interesting how you ignore the countless reports by some of our nations brightest minds who say that all segments contained within the immigrant grouping are actually driving our current economy? There are also some excellent tomes on the subject however I doubt you'll break away from your Birch Society talking points. I should have known you were from NWA, now that you mention it, kind of do sound like a Southerner. "
you guys...stop it wrote on Apr 6, 2007 3:46 PM:
" you are using logic and intelligence! That is not allowed in this debate. You must be able to twist perception and discredit the other person by calling him a racist. That is how this debate works. "
Tspud wrote on Apr 6, 2007 3:59 PM:
" You can't even follow my posts. I live in IL not the south. How about this:
There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics. When you start out trying to justify lawbreakers, you lose all credibility. I suppose you can site some organized crime stats being good as well. Check your states facts on what tax money goes to Illegal alien prenatal care. Look at your schools and their growth. Your facts are as close as this evenings news. "
TOTO TSPUD wrote on Apr 6, 2007 4:16 PM:
" Ooops - wrong again - TSPUD did not write that last post - and you are oh so right - I am a Southerner and am downright proud of it! You see, I was born a Yankee, but CHOSE many years ago to move to the South - and isn't this quaint - I did it LEGALLY. Now, son, one thing I do know - we Southerners are very gracious and slow to anger. However, we do not and will not accept this invasion of our Country. Your preposporous statement "all segments contained within the immigrant grouping are actually driving our current economy" - so that means that since I am not an immigrant, my poor little tax dollars are not helping our economy? Please, please tell my Accountant that - as the Big day is coming up and I certainly don't want to break your fantasy by paying by (very large) tax bill, as only immigrants pay taxes. I'll make sure I don't shop any more (although that would make my spouse very happy) - obviously sales tax is only paid by immigrants. "
TOTO TSPUD wrote on Apr 6, 2007 4:27 PM:
" Here's an excerpt from a different study released yesterday "Immigration reforms that increase the number of low-skilled workers entering the United States threaten to impose a high cost on taxpayers, says a study being released today. The Heritage Foundation report calculates that for every $1 unskilled workers pay in taxes they receive about $3 in government benefits, including Medicaid, food stamps, public housing and other welfare programs" The report on low-skilled workers, who are defined as those without a high school diploma, did not focus on immigrants, but its authors say 25 percent of legal immigrants and 50 percent of illegal aliens fall into the category. About 9 percent of native-born Americans lack a high school diploma. Using data from 2004, the report shows the average household headed by a low-skilled worker paid $9,689 in taxes but received $32,138 in benefits a year. The more than $22,000 difference is the "tax burden" which rises to $1.1 million over the worker's lifetime - driving the economy? Yes, that's true - Mexico's economy. Not ours. Illegal aliens are TAKERS, not GIVERS. If you are illegally in the US, you have snuck in through the back door like a thief, if you are working - you have stolen someone's identity and a job from an American; you have stolen from all taxpayers each and every time you drive on our roads, use our hospitals, use the services of our law enforcement, and protest in our streets. "
To American Citizen wrote on Apr 6, 2007 4:27 PM:
" Your quoting of Roosevelt is exactly why I have no heritage or culture other than fast food and Wal-Mart. Because of that attitude you quoted, my grandfather stopped speaking Swedish and my family lost its Scandanavian culture. I have nothing to pass on. No language, no traditions -- other than let's go shopping the day after Christmas and Thanksgiving and every other man-made American holiday. I recognize that I am American, but that doesn't mean I would have prefered to give up the culture that these Latinos in our area now have and are passing on to their children and exposing us to. "
p.s. wrote on Apr 6, 2007 4:34 PM:
" Illegal immigrants still pay income taxes if they have W2s, which many do, even if their documentation is fake or whatever. They just don't get to file income tax returns to claim any refunds. ...... AND I see all this anger and discourse about illegals taking jobs. WE SHOULD BE MORE CONCERNED ABOUT OUTSOURCING TO CHINA than about the illegals working here. Our factory jobs are going over seas and I don't see any of you screaming about that. You talk about hispanics being paid less here to get around hiring whites, well what do you think the people in Vietnam who made your fancy shirt got paid? I think we should be uniting to make BUY AMERICAN ONLY! You all are missing the big picture. "
TOps wrote on Apr 6, 2007 4:54 PM:
" Alas, I am concerned about outsourcing to China, a Communist Country, mind you. Another way our Government has failed us - all to placate big business. However, last I looked, the Chinese were still in China. The Mexican's were in my backyard..... outsourcing labor, and insourcing poverty. Both are equally wrong for this Country and for all American's. You see, I have my own little way to voice my displeasure - even though I live in the same county as the world's largest retailer - due to their support of illegals and their being the primary cause of our Country's massive, massive trade imbalance, especially with Communists, I will not shop there. I pay more for what I need at the drugstore and grocery store, but the little smiley face does not get my money. Every true American should do the same - then write to the CEO and tell them until they bring back the "Buy American" campaign, you will not go back. Same for the large hobby store, and the smiley face's major competition. We do not their junk - think about how often you have to replace the junk, including toasters, blenders, curling irons, etc. since they've been imported. Used to be - these appliances would last 5-10 years - now they are considered "disposable" due to their short lifespan. "
disappointed wrote on Apr 6, 2007 5:47 PM:
" to p.s.: if our country has been and is being invaded and being destroyed then that problem trumps the one you broach, albeit the issue is important. usually the people who think one weird for practicing buy America only also support open borders and amnesty for the invaders. they have little concept of nationhood and think globally instead. we here now consider the state of our economy to be more important than the security of the nation. we worship capitalism at the peril of the republic. "
To TSPUD, DISAPPOINTED, TOps and the rest of your buddies wrote on Apr 6, 2007 6:40 PM:
" The kind of nation you would protect would be better called the Aryan Nation, no thanks. Hey by the way, I thought I saw a few Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, Nepalese, Cambodian, Hmong, and Laotians in your backyard? Come to think of it I also saw, few Swedes, Russians, Ukrainians, Poles, Bosnians, Serbian,Latvians and a few Finns there too? I am almost positive that I also spotted some East Indians, Pakistanis, Afgahnis, Iranians and even a few Iraqis? You also better watch out because I saw some Egyptians, Libyans, Algerians, Nigerians, Kenyans and even a few Sudanese. Some of them were standing right next to the Swiss, Germans, Italians, Portugese, British and yes I even saw those Darn French! As a matter of fact I think I saw most of the world represented in your backyard and you better do something quick before they get the "goofy" idea that they're Americans. One more thing.... I think I am pretty sure that I saw less then 10% Mexicans in your yard, the rest were these other invaders! "
Tspud wrote on Apr 6, 2007 7:16 PM:
" I guess you didn't read or comprehend what I posted earlier: "Personally I don't care if it's a Russian illegal or a Guatemalan, they are here illegally and are using up social services that belong to citizens. Citizenship seems to be a concept that is missing in most of these posts."
Calling someone a racist because they expect the law to be enforced is intellectually dishonnest. It shows that have no moral authority in your argument. I'll ask again some point blank questions, "Do you not want our laws to be obeyed"? Is it okay to drive without a license or steal someones Identity? If I break into your house looking for food for my family, will you arrest me or reward me? If I take your car to look for work, will you arrest me or reward me? "
Clue giver wrote on Apr 6, 2007 7:44 PM:
" There isn't any need to give those gentlemen any clues for they understand quite well the concept of Immigration. Unfortunately some people just don't like Immigration. They would prefer to disrespect not only the Immigration system, but those that have Immigrated to this great country. Mexican is as much a race as American. Do we call American's a race? Mexican citizens come in all different colors of skin and in different contents of character...same as those that reside in the American citizenry. TSPUD has been explaining his support for immigration. I don't see where the problem is...oh wait...it is in that certain ILLEGAL activity. One that has is done by humans of many different colors of skin. I don't understand why one of your magnitude of understanding would take issue with that. "
disappointed wrote on Apr 6, 2007 7:49 PM:
" to the clown: okay, you are correct, i shouldnt use "yellow", i should have said chinese. but here again, you cannot defeat my argument with superior logic so you attack my use of the word yellow, brown, white, etc. you might as well argue i am a racist because i do not use caps in typing. i have no issue with the legal chinese in our country. i do have issue with those who jump on a ship and sneak in here. now, what is so wrong with me wanting this country secure?please answer that versus going into all of your attacks on my pedigree.or can you, oh wise one. "
disappointed wrote on Apr 6, 2007 8:28 PM:
" well well, you came clean. now doesnt that feel better? now if you could only come to grips with one main factor of the illegal immigration issue that you seem lost on. no one is trying to deny any legal citizens of this country, the United States of America, their rights. as for the rights of those other americans i could care less. to be candid, i am tired of people caring more about those others than they do about our own. us first and foremost. to we who belong here, everything. to those who do not belong here, nothing. i for one will never stop worrying about my team getting smaller, as you put it. were i a black man i would be yelling at the political leaders for allowing illegal immigration to go unchecked because it has made the blacks not the leading minority in this a country that is theirs legally. were i hispanic i would cry aloud against illegals because they are illegals, etc. were i a native indian i would scream all the more because i would be one step further down the ladder of political power because of the vast number of illegals. so what is wrong with that? the fight has yet to be joined to keep that which is ours. "
disappointed wrote on Apr 6, 2007 8:44 PM:
" so, you open borders and amnesty crowd, do you also support legalizing bigamy, robbery, incest, pedophilia, etc, etc? if not, why not? perhaps it is because you want an orderly, just, safe and decent society. such is why i want secure borders and those who do not belong here to return to their homes. one is not equal to the other i agree but the one problem with open borders that cannot be fixed is all of the wicked filth of worthless, hard-core criminals that is also part of the invasion of basically very decent, hard-working people we call illegal aliens. control the borders and one control much of the crime and drug problems of this country. "
disappointed wrote on Apr 6, 2007 8:53 PM:
" the word for the day: sovereignty
ps: Remember the Alamo! "
GO HOME wrote on Apr 6, 2007 9:12 PM:
" I guess I do have a fascination for crime; it makes me sad to see anyone murdered or abused by another person no matter what their color or status. But, when the people committing the murders, drug deals, car jackings, rapes, kidnappings, identity theft etc., are also ILLEGALLY in the country and our government is doing basically nothing to stop them it upsets me. It also upsets me when they depress my wages so much that I'm going to lose my home. Now you could say, well, go to school get a better job. How can I afford to go to school when it takes every penny I make just to pay the bills? And believe me, I have checked if out, unfortunately for me, I am white and I make exactly $934.00 to much to recieve any kind of assitance to help pay for a better education. So you see, I am stuck in a job I have had for 13 years and I am not going to get any raises sufficient to keep up with the cost of living. "
disappointed wrote on Apr 7, 2007 12:24 AM:
" to those who think me racist because i want the borders secured i dare you to go to the fox news channel on the internet and check out a story in their immigration section dated 031607 where bush met with the pres of ireland ref to st pats day. seems the irish leader agrees with bush's amnesty plan too so that the 50,000 to 70,000 irishmen that are here illegally will be allowed to stay and become citizens. know what i have to say about that? find them and send them home. again, this is not about a race or a culture, it is about right and wrong. secure the borders and send the illegals home and yes that goes for the irish illegals as well. pardon me but i am interested in seeing how you open borders and amnesty crowd handle this bit of information. is it okay for the irish, the brits, the poles and other whites to be here illegally or do you in fact have an agenda to re-do this country without the whites? "
TO GO HOME wrote on Apr 7, 2007 7:50 AM:
" I suggest that you go speak to your employers and tell them that you currently make "too much" money so that you can get that assistance you're looking for. I said it before: Getting the help one needs is entirely American and so is suucking it up and paying one's own way. So you choose the one that best suits you and quit "belly-aching" about it. You're a grown man and believe it or not most of us have had to face dilemas much like your own. Seeing oneself as a poor little victim only keeps one in a victim mentility, which I can safely say is unentirely American. Now before you get too angry with me, consider this a gentle reminder from a fellow a American who would love to see you prosper in our great country. You must also remember that you can't unfairly categorize a whole group of poeple as takers when they are not taking, especially when you yourself would love to take if you could only let yourself. By the way unless you've been sentenced to your "job" by a court of law, you are free to do what every American has been able to do for hundreds of years and GET UP AND MAKE YOUR FORTUNE! Did you miss the detials of this study? It is telling you that the immigrant market is still untapped? Start a business and go make your dreams a reality! Good Luck, I mean it. "
I still More Disappointed wrote on Apr 7, 2007 8:12 AM:
" Bigamy maybe, for "religious reasons" only. You're going to have to come up with a much better reason as to why we should send those Irish fellows home. I'm pleased you finally understood what I have been saying all along that Americas economic and legal interests must be protected at all cost; I see us all as inherently equal in the eyes of the constitution, so I am not willing to throw the proverbial "baby out with the bathwater." You really need to understand that as long as you are screaming your xenophobic diatribes at the top of your lungs nobody will ever take you seriously. Do you want to do something about all this stuff that you're passionate about, or are you content to sit around and YELL all day long? I suggest that you start doing some local research and start checking out who exactly is committing all those crimes you keep yelling about; the information is readily availbale, I have taken the time to research these statistics and this is preciesly why I know that the numbers plainly show that immigrants, documented or undocumented are not committing the majority of crimes in the area. Now guess who is? I would be happy to spell it out for you but everytime that I have, the censors erase the statistics. You seem to have the time, so go do a little local research because you're losing credibility very quickly. Now stop denegrating the only document that protects America. "
reason wrote on Apr 7, 2007 8:26 AM:
" Today the news reports in LA says that each illegal immigrant family cost the US $32,000 in services.
Unwed mothers for Hispanics is three times the rate as whites and 1.5 the rate of blacks
Drunk driving is 3 times the rate as the rest of the population. "
I'm Still More Disappointed wrote on Apr 7, 2007 8:34 AM:
" Furthermore, you shoudn't be so flippant about the US constitution; it is the one document that makes this country possible. Let me say it again: I SUPPORT COMPREHENSIVE IMMIGRATION REFORM AND SECURE BORDERS, but anything we do, must first protect America's interests here and abroad. The rights of documented immigrants and those Americans who happen to look like them, must be protected at all costs. We cannot profile and disenfranchize this community. There is a way to do this however those who hate immigrants are going to have to take a step back and be willing to see why the majority of lawmakers understand that the reform must be multi-pronged. Any sensible reform will have to include a "pathway" to legalization of those undocumented immigrants that are already here. Of course there must be a vetting process to screen out criminals from the process. This is the only practical way to make this reform work. Don't think for a minute that America can afford to first deport 11MM undocumented immigrants, the where-with-all, simply is not there to do so. Secondly a guest worker program must be established or we will find ourselves in this predicament again in a few short years. Scream about how unfair it is all day long, but at the end of day that's all you will be doing is screaming while getting nothing done. Pprepare yourself, this year you will see comprehensive immigration reform, at long last, become a reality. "
reason wrote on Apr 7, 2007 8:35 AM:
" Right after Katrina a contracter employed a crew of black men left homeless by Katrina. They were happy to get the work until they were layed off because there foreman told them the Mexicana have arrived. They lost there jobs to Mexicans and had no recourse but welfare. So Jessica, that's why the construction work in New Orleans is being done by Hispanics.
They take American jobs for lower wages, depress American wages, and lower our standard of living "
reason wrote on Apr 7, 2007 8:50 AM:
" Someone certainly has their crime statistics wrong. Legal immigrants are check for criminal records before they are allowed to legally come into the country, consequently legal immigrants have a lower rate of crime then the average of the population. However, illegal immigrants have double the rate of crime. Even if you did not rely on the statistics from most publications, like 95% of warrants in LA, a sanctuary city, are for illegals, all you have to do is look at Mexico, one of the most corrupt counties on the planet and the number one country for kidnapping and drug cartels. "
To Lack of Reason wrote on Apr 7, 2007 10:39 AM:
" WHAT???? I suppose you take the nonsense you speak seriously? Why don't you look at the crime statistics in NWA, they are there in "Black, White and Brown." What do you know about Mexico other than what you imagine in that fantastical head of yours? Mexico has it's share of problems as do all countries. Do you think taht the thousands of Americans who are welcomed in Mexico with open arms when they retire, would make such a place as you describe their home. Some cities in Mexico have more Americans than Mexicans. Why don't you research this while you're at it. Throwing around cliched nonsense is not the way to reason because at the end of day it proves nothing other than you're not willing to be intellectually honest. Now go look at local crime statistics! "
Tspud wrote on Apr 7, 2007 12:11 PM:
" PHOENIX -- Authorities found at least 80 suspected illegal immigrants in a house west of Phoenix and arrested two suspected smugglers, a police official said. The one-story home is located in a middle-class neighborhood, he said.
The immigrants were in the custody of ICE.
Tellef said the drop house is the second the department has found this week. On Monday, he said 30 suspected illegal immigrants and four suspected smugglers were found in a Peoria home.
On Thursday in Phoenix, police found 60 suspected illegal immigrants packed in a home after responding to a call about shots being fired. No one was hurt, and the immigrants were turned over to ICE. "
To ancedote posting Tspud wrote on Apr 7, 2007 1:38 PM:
" Alright, alright already, so what do you prove by posting your news reports on undocumented immigrants? I think it is abundantly clear to everyone that there are undocumented immigrants in our country. Rest assured as long people like you continue to demagogue the issue, instead of supporting those federal lawmakers who want to actually do more then yap about it, I.C.E. will continue to find them by the scores. And when these immigrants are deported, they will turn around and come right back and if they don't, there are thousands more who will. What do you propose we do about our country's immigration problems? I can't wait for the brilliant response I'm about to hear. You offer no solutions to fix anything; you simply post anecdotes that prove nothing other than we have an immigration problem, now what? "
To water carrying Tspud wrote on Apr 7, 2007 4:19 PM:
" Uh, huh, I'm castigating you? You castigate people with impunity and you complain about someone asking for solutions that extend beyond hollow anecdotes. Get real, let an undocumented immigrant commit a crime and see the "due process" guaranteed to them by the constitution of this great country. These undocumented offenders would be rotting in our prisons for life. You would have us turn our republic into some third world fascist state and would use their home country's laws as justification; sorry this American will not let you. I am thrilled that America is not like Mexico; I'm positive that you'd be the first in line trying to sneak into some neighboring country. While you're gone why don't you visit the Hutto immigrant holding site to see dozens of underage American citizens locked up like common criminals. I'm tired of you parading your self righteous nonsense as a virtue. While you are away why don't you also take a moment to think about where your logic leads? It's precisely why I am saying that we need comprehensive immigration reform. “Boot them out,” you say and booting them out has not worked to date and will not ever work. We need real solutions that go beyond your one sided diatribes, ridiculous anecdotes and biased websites. Now go take that much needed break, perhaps it will clear your head? "
disappointed wrote on Apr 7, 2007 8:57 PM:
" today in LA we had illegal immigrants by the thousands marching in the streets demanding amnesty. only in this country could that happen. the man who today justifies illegal immigration because it helps the economics of a nation, state, community, etc, is no better a person than those who justified slavery in the past. obviously slavery improved the bottom line of the slave owner, the community, the state and for years the entire union of states. the issue then and now is this, is it the right thing to do? truth is, there is no valid excuse for allowing the illegal immigration issue to be in the mess it is. to you who support illegals invading this nation i say you are traitors to our republic. you would not have had the courage to stand aginst the red coats in times past. you are fools if you think your stance will gain you points in the near future when the dominant culture is different that your own. "
disappointed wrote on Apr 7, 2007 9:16 PM:
" to I am still more disappointed: please do not preach to me about being flippant when it comes to our precious documents. i have raised my right hand in support of them and lived it every day for 21 years in the Marines, Army and then as a cop and the last 7 dealing with peoples rights every day with the govt so get off my tail. and if it is all the same to you i will continue to practice my birthright and write in this venue, thank you very much. as one whose eldest son is even now a Navy pilot and is in the atlantic preping to go to war it is the least i could do. i will fight this fight till the bitter end. now, with that said, i have read your stuff and you have some good ideas. where we differ is that we must sweeten the pie to make those here illegally to want to leave so they can return in the correct manner. when such is in place and the illegal refuses to leave and to start anew then when they are found then they are sent home then heaven help them if they return. they do not take this issue seriously because this country does not and why, so a select few can make even more money? had the govt been doing their duty this issue would not be an issue and we common people would not be yelling about it. "
Brazos wrote on Apr 8, 2007 8:59 AM:
" The issue like alway is legal vs illegal immigartion. We are a land of laws and just becasue any group can say they add to the bottom line of the state budget doesn't make anything right. If that were the case, drug dealers could argue they add to the bottom line because the spend their drug money at local markets and pay sales tax. Bank robbers and thiefs could argue the same. Illegal is illegal. The illegal immigration issue must be resolved. I have expressed my concerns to my elected officials and I would hope all would do the same. No amnesty of illegal immigation. We did that about 20 years ago and that only encouraged illegal immigation. We also must address worker visas and streamline the system. We must pass laws that inform illegals that having a babies in the states does not afford one the right to be here or that child. No services to illegals or their families. Action must be taken against those that hire illegals. Once we stop the flood we can still get a handle on this issue. If we don't we are going to loose our country. If we don't stand up our child will be the minority. To the immigrants from all over the world that have come here legally, I am proud of you. I have several friends that are first generation immigrants and they are great folks. "
To the Disappointed Marine wrote on Apr 8, 2007 10:03 AM:
" From this vantage point we can somewhere, I do agree with you that the screaming and yelling has gotten us nowhere, suspect that it won't ever. I oppose undocumented immigration for various reasons however as an American who is interested in protecting the interests of our nation, I understand that I must make the distinctions that are necessary in this debate. Those who call undocumented immigrants, "illegals," are only hindering their ability to see the issues before us clearly. We can shout clichés like, "Illegal is illegal," all day long and at the end of the day, what does this even tell us? Who would argue with the phrase "illegal is illegal? However when you use this phrase to describe undocumented immigrations, it does nothing to describe the myriad of nuances contained in the immigration debate, instead this terminology serves to inflame emotions, emotions which lead to more emotion, which eventually leads to choosing sides, unwilling to even hear each others ideas. It is precisely why I do not use this ridiculous phraseology, it lead nowhere. Now that that is said, I welcome all ideas and I am completely willing to listen to those ideas that differ from my own. One of the problems is that we have had a schizophrenic immigration policy that has led to this sad state of affairs. I see no possible practical way to remove 11mm undocumented immigrants without seriously damaging our civil liberties and our stable economy.
"
Officer wrote on Apr 8, 2007 12:15 PM:
" "Flawed study wrote on April 04, 2007 9:16 PM:"This study fails to account for the economic damage caused by undocumented citizens". "Surely this net contribution would be reduced if we consider the shooting victims, hit-an-run victims, and rampant vandalism. By artificially suppressing wages, they force native born employees into public assistance. This report is very flawed and the debate is far from over"
Remember Flawed - above you stated the word "undocumented citizens". Citizenship comes after what is known as "Naturalization", applicant testing and certification by Homeland Security. They are not "undocumented citizens", but "undocumented aliens" which happens to be the correct term under United States Code, Title 8. "
Brazos wrote on Apr 8, 2007 12:31 PM:
" And to be an undocumented alien is illegal. To soften what is illegal is to exactly what the "illegal aliens" want. How can they do this and then have massive protests in the country they have come to in an illega manner "undocumented". The bigger picture is that Mexico's open boarder will one day "sooner than later I fear" allow those that want to attack the USA do so by crossing that boarder with a weapon to hurt thounsands. It is not just illegal aliens or drug runners that can or do cross that boarder. What is very upsetting is that the Mexican elected officials themselves are doing nothing. Time to wake up folks! I tell you this issue is deeper and must be addressed. Close the boarder and deport all undocumented "illegal" aliens. You can find them at the places that hire them. In NWA you can start at the chicken plants and the building contractors! "
NWA Vee wrote on Apr 8, 2007 7:26 PM:
" The bottomline, maybe not in my generation or even in yours; but, we WILL have to learn to live with our neighbors to the South, North and across both oceans. We ALL live on the same ailing plant we continue to abuse.
Yes, undocumented immigrants are putting a strain on our society; but, this is only because our goverment authorities think small (domestically not globally) and are only influenced by big business--not those in need. "
Tspud wrote on Apr 9, 2007 10:59 AM:
" Officer, you need to remember that laws like United States Code, Title 8 mean nothing to most liberals that support ILLEGAL aliens or the ILLEGALS themselves. In fact they don't seem to mean much to many law enforcement agencies. Some hard labor at the border in tent cites like Sheriff Joe does in AZ would send a message. "
Gustavo Garcia wrote on Apr 9, 2007 11:35 AM:
" I want to add to your bottom line in a few years. Gustavo Garcia agreed to plead guilty to the two counts of aggravated vehicular homicide that killed Sean and Donna Wilson on June 8, 2006. He was sentence to a total of 25 years in state prison. When released from prison, federal authorities will deport Garcia to Mexico.
Authorities first learned of Garcia’s status as an illegal immigrant only after his arrest following the June 8 wreck, in which Garcia was found to be driving with a blood alcohol level of .34, more than 4 times the legal limit in Tennessee.
Yet from 1997 on, Garcia had 17 prior arrests in Davidson County. Including driving infractions and three DUIs.
"
Juan Seguins A Craker wrote on Apr 9, 2007 12:32 PM:
" Juan i think youve seen to many reruns of Blazing Saddles, "
Juan Seguin wrote on Apr 9, 2007 2:26 PM:
" It originally came from a 1948 movie "The Treasure of the Sierra Madre" with Humphrey Bogart. Blazing Saddles just copied it because it was famous and added to it's status as a famous saying. More interesting is who is Juan Seguin? "
Dear BRAVO and JESSICA wrote on Apr 9, 2007 3:41 PM:
" You two make me want to throw my computer against the wall. The cost of ONE illegal female that applies for Medicaid, WIC and ARKids costs the taxpayers thousands of dollars. Medicaid pays for the birth of the baby, WIC provides food while the woman is pregnant and until the child is 5 years old and finally ARKids will cover the child's medical expenses until age 18. The costs are staggering and most taxpayers don't have a clue. Yes, it sounds like illegals are contributing a lot until you realize how much they are taking.... "
GO HOME wrote on Apr 9, 2007 5:51 PM:
" To the person who keeps attacking me: I wish I could get a better education; however our government is more interested in educating a bunch of illegals than helping Americans. I can't afford to go to school, I have to work 10 hours a day to support my family. Then I go home and cook and clean, wash clothes, dishes, mow the yard and a hundred other things that don't get done unless I do them. I really need the 5 hours of sleep I get every night. I don't think you have a clue about living in the real world. You won't escape forever. Someday Illegal aliens will have an affect on someone you love, or your job (if you even work, college boy). Why should I have to give up my 13 years of senority, vacation and insurance to some Illegal Alien? I'm 46 years old and do not want to start over again. "
From now wrote on Apr 9, 2007 9:44 PM:
" on I buy nothing that is not made in the U.S.A, and nothing from businesses that employ Illegals. Farmers markets have very good produce, and usually employ their relatives and friends. If everyone will do this, we can show the pro-illegal people the kind of influence that American citizens can have on the economy. "
Stating the facts wrote on Apr 10, 2007 1:42 AM:
" My famlily came to the U.S. LEGALY in the early 20th century. They learned English, worked hard, and built a good life. I have nothing to do with the war between Mexico and the US. I have nothing to do with what happened to the Indians. I was born in this country. I have no quarlles over legal immigrants. I have many of friends that are from other countries that are here legally. What I do have a problem with is the people that are here illegaly. The government cannot track these people. I am not just talking about Mexicans either. ANYONE FROM ANOTHER COUNTRY THAT ENTERS THE UNITED STATES WITHOUT THE PROPER DOCUMENTATION IS AN ILLEGAL ALEIN PERIOD. This means the French, Italians, Spanish, Canadians, Mexicans, Cubans, anyone. In addition if we can not track who is already here in this country how are we going to track if a Jihadist is here in this country. they can cross the Mexican-US border just as easily. "
Tspud wrote on Apr 10, 2007 8:09 AM:
" The definition of anecdote(correct spelling):
Sometimes humorous, anecdotes are not jokes, because their primary purpose is not simply to evoke laughter, but to reveal a truth more general than the brief tale itself, or to delineate a character trait or the workings of an institution in such a light that it strikes in a flash of insight to their very essence.
Lost in the persons personal attacks on me is the fact that these are real people being killed and hurt everyday by ILLEGAL aliens who have had their day in court and for some reasons beyond me(sanctuary) they are allowed out to prey on citizens and their own kind again and again. They are not a face in the crowd statistic to me and each time I read these stories it upsets me. More has to be done to clean up the mess ILLEGALS are making in our, not their, country. Turning a blind eye in the sake of "they just want a better life" isn't getting it done. "
Tspud wrote on Apr 10, 2007 11:25 AM:
" Here's another anecdote:
http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=1084909
Syracuse police say they have enough evidence to charge Benito Martinez with first-degree grape, but they have to find him. The suspect has been missing since the incident happened early Saturday morning.
Police say he was renting a room in a house where other families were living, including the 11-year-old victim. Police say the 11-year-old girl and the suspect did not know each other, aside from the fact they lived under the same roof. Twenty-two-year-old Benito Martinez was renting a room in the house and carpooled to various construction jobs.Police say he is in the country illegally. He has been living in Syracuse for the last six months. They are concerned he may try to escape charges in Mexico. Coming to your town soon as Juan or Jose. Not very humorous is it. "
To: do the math wrote on Apr 10, 2007 5:49 PM:
" You are 100% correct. We don't owe these illegals anything. And they do take jobs from Americans. I have seen it first hand. From now on I will buy nothing from any company that employs illegals, even if that means going without. I already buy only products that are made in the USA. If we all will do this, the illegals will have to go home because no one will employ them. And maybe we will have more products made in America again if people refuse to buy anything else. "
do the math wrote on Apr 10, 2007 6:42 PM:
" I guess I offended someone, my previous post seems to have been deleted. I didn't set out to offend but really I don't care one way or the other. The bottom line about the whole situation is that the economy can not continue to support people from other countries and unfortunately the statistics are not sheding a favorable light on the hispanic population as a whole, which is really kind of sad because there are a lot of them that are wonderful people who are treated poorly because of the actions of the ones who aren't. "
lets do something wrote on Apr 11, 2007 9:01 AM:
" Please people..we need to do something..everyone says this but we really need to organize something. Maybe have a rally or something like that. Anyone have any ideas? I will be there with family and friends. "
Rally: wrote on Apr 11, 2007 4:55 PM:
" Hey, we can get together at the Springdale park. It's free, and others have gathered there for there cause, why not use it for ours. "
Look up wrote on Apr 12, 2007 1:46 PM:
" Did anyone notice that the advertisment at the top of the page is about "American Citizenship" fast. I didn't realize that there was a "speedy lube" citizenship company. "
I just wrote on Apr 12, 2007 5:00 PM:
" read on Fox news that the jobless claims jumped by 19,000 last week. The Total number of unemployed still drawing benefits after the initial week of aid rose by 38,000 to a total of 2.53 million. Why are so many people unemployed if there are all these jobs that no one will do? I read where Citigroup is laying off 7,000 workers so they can move the jobs to a lower paying market. When will it be your job they take? "
Deacon wrote on Apr 12, 2007 9:09 PM:
" Guess what country's economy and stock market rose 49% in 2006 and now has the worlds 2nd richest man worth an estimated 53.1 BILLION dollars. If you guessed mexico you're right, his name is Carlos Slim Hel'u. (www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18078983) He is now behind Bill Gates by only 2.9 Billion. If Gates had the same percentage(7%)in holdings as "Slim" does in mexico, he would be worth 874 Billion in the U.S. But yet they come here so they can send more money "Home". "
I was wrong wrote on Apr 12, 2007 9:13 PM:
" on my post earlier, Citigroup is cutting 17,000 jobs, not 7000. Thats a lot of people without a job so the rich can get richer. "
Manyhats wrote on Apr 14, 2007 9:06 AM:
" I wish all of you who are so adamantly against the so-called illegal immigrants would take the time to look into the forces that are driving them out of their own country. Maybe you should consider the U.S.'s predatory economic policies toward our neighbors to the south. Over a million Mexican family farms have been shut down due to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Millions more are expected to be put out of business over the next ten years or so. In their place, the people are expected to work (if they can even find any) at low-paying maquiladoras, sweat shops which thumb their noses up any idea of paying a livable wage, supporting worker safety or environmental standards. They are polluting the hell out of the people's living spaces and are destroying their culture and self-sufficiency. Why do you think that so many Latin-American countries are supporting leaders such as Hugo Chavez and Evo Morales who stand up against U.S. policies? It's not because we're treating them so well; I can promise you that. Then when they can no longer survive in their own countries (thanks to U.S. and multi-national corporations) they come here and the inhumanity against them continues. I'm not saying that this problem shouldn't be addressed, but inhumane treatment toward them is not the answer, and I want no part of it. In the end, it will only cause more hatred and bad attitudes all around. "
To Stating the Facts wrote on Apr 14, 2007 1:24 PM:
" "Regarding your statement, "My famlily came to the U.S. LEGALY (sic) in the early 20th century." -- You make it sound as if they took the time to apply properly or something, in contrast to those blasted, ignore-the-rules immigrants today. The fact is that the first immigration law was not passed until 1882, and it only restricted immigration by the Chinese. An unofficial policy in 1907 targeted the Japanese but the first "quota" law did not take effect until 1929, and it didn't apply to Latin America. So IF your family came here before those laws took effect, yes, they did come "legally," but not because they were law-abiding enough to apply properly, but rather, because there were no "proper channels" to go through. But I would be willing to bet that if there HAD been "proper channels" and laws and forms -- and if those laws had been as complex as today's; and if those "channels" had been overseen by a bureaucracy as unwieldy, incompetent and unnavigable as USCIS; and if the forms had taken YEARS to process as they often do today, then your family (had they been in difficult economic straits) and many Europeans who flocked here by the millions after the Irish potato famine or the failed German revolution would have done exactly the same as today's immigrants. They would have looked at their children, seen the desperate economic situation they were in, and they would have come, papers or no. "
"
Wesley Franklin wrote on Apr 17, 2007 2:49 PM:
" Oh yes! And a California Poll shows that 80% are pro illegal alien. The poll was taken between Tecate, California and the Mexican Border mainly to French speakers.
Food For Thought:
"A LINE IN THE SAND" Iraq's Learn Spanish Before Crossing to America! Can you afford 911's in your area?
Senator Mc Caul's Website
http://www.house.gov/mccaul/
"
Not already registered?
Daaaa wrote on Apr 4, 2007 9:16 PM: