Do you think foreigners now get it about illegal immigrant problems?

[Daniela1982]

California residents are fleeing to the country of Portugal and in many cases bringing problems that have made life more difficult for natives, according to the Los Angeles Times report.

In a story titled "Welcome to Portugal, the new expat haven. Californians, please go home", that the number of Americans living in Portugal has risen by 45% in the past year with many of those Americans moving from California in order to escape high housing costs, pandemic lockdowns, and "Trumpian politics."

The article explains that "resentment of newcomers is growing" in Portugal as California expats have become the "root of questions over gentrification, income disparities and immigration."

Portuguese activists have reportedly taken to the streets to protest the gentrification caused by Americans, many of them Californians, who have moved into the neighborhood and caused skyrocketing rent and evictions.

At least these Californians are going there as legal residents instead of just crossing the border illegally. If they did they would probably wind up in jail. Seems the US is the only country who takes in all illegals with open arms. Frankly, this is the first I've heard of this.

[jshm2]

You need to get your head out your ass, and listen properly, then. The problems aren't that bad and the culture shock is more from the American side, than the Portugal side.

https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2022-05-12/these-californians-relocated-to-portugal-they-share-their-stories

Also, most illegals in the USA fly in legally, and then abscond. They don't "run the border".

[Daniela1982]

Any more of your head out of your ass comments will get you blocked. I'm sure you can think of a better way of communicating. My question is why are you commenting on business that has no bearing on where you live? Maybe the UK should worry about it's own problems before commenting on the US. You had a problem with refugees a few years back so I'm sure you are already aware of the problems that it brings.

[ArrowheadSW]

I have not heard of Portugal being hit by expatriates from California! Imagine that. There have been pockets of areas in the US where the real estate prices skyrocketed and locals were priced out of their own area. Even within California, there are cities where prices skyrocketed more than the rest of California, where it priced out the locals who grew up there.

It would be interesting to see how the locals react to Americans moving in, in places like Ecuador and Costa Rica, where it is commonplace also.

[Noreason432]

And how would you know whether someone is an illegal immigrant, or not? Unless you've seen these papers. Trump supporters like to stereotype and view everyone, who has a specific look (dark hair, dark eyes and doesn't look Western/Northern European) as an illegal immigrant, poor and inferior to them

[Daniela1982]

Simple, if they are legal they will go through a border crossing instead of wading across a river with no money or baggage.

[Smoke-n-Growls]

... what an American concept.

"Foreigners" have hated American tourists and expats for a very, very long time. They're not our favourite demographic and haven't been for decades.

[Agagagagaga]

But you love to take our money and beg for our help when a goddamn war is going on. Hypocrites.

[Daniela1982]

They hate Americans in their country but at the same time are dying to get to the US enough that they will do it illegally.

[Smoke-n-Growls]

Lmao, nah fam. In fact, I literally left my American ex because he tried to enter MY country illegally, lol!

[lightbulb27]

I doubt South Americans care. They have a choice between misery death or suffering or maybe a chance if they get across.


I said it before… we should consolidate Americas to one country under USA 🇺🇸. Call me crazy.


Portuguese are going to rebel

[exitseven]

It would be funny to see Americans trying to sneak into some foreign country because the US has been turned into a third world hellhole. I bet they would not be met at the border with a translator and an EBT card with their name on it.

[Massageman]

Costa Rica is another big draw for retired US ex-pats.

Rents start at $675/mo to $2,000/mo for fancy digs, and almost all have pools, even the bargain ones. A nice 3 br home on a 1/4 acre lot = $249,000!

[Daniela1982]

You can find that in the US in some states. My sister bought one in Missouri for less than $200,000 that was 4 BR, 2.5 baths, and 1/2 ACRE. But perhaps it is mostly the political state that we are in now.

[Agagagagaga]

I visited Costa Rica once and it’s a very interesting country. I enjoyed my time there. That’s good to know about the prices. I’ve lived overseas before (former military) and may end up being an expat in the future.

[OddBeMe]

Wow, haven’t heard that. So Portugal is like “Get theefs Gringoeths out of here!” (Because of the lisp)

[worldscolide]

Holy crap I hadn't realized that things had gotten that bad in California..

[Daniela1982]

Neither did I. I didn't even know people were moving to Portugal.

[Dargil]

Certain places like Poland and Hungary understand the problem.

[Iron_Man]

They don’t care about that they want what’s coming to them

[IsoUser]

Californians are weirdos anyway Lmao. I would be more worried about Russian hypersonic missiles