Are the costs of illegal immigration “self-imposed”?

[OddBeMe]

Meaning…our anti-immigrant stance is actually what’s costing us trillions. Not illegal immigrants?

Because the major cost is having massive agencies like ICE and Customs & Border Protection. Building a stupid wall. And trying to arrest and deport quotas of illegals who will just turn around and come back probably because their families are still here.

Seriously, we could have an “open door” policy, give each immigrant a tax form to be legal. And cash in loads on their paychecks. Do you think they want to be illegal? And get taken advantage of?

Yea

No

[Anonymous]

the countries with the least crime are those with the least to little to no immigrants, so regardless of all else, I'm sure most would agree they prefer a SAFE home to raise their families in.

Also, immigrants come to the usa for better paying jobs even if it's "being taken advantage of" it's better pay than what they get in similar job in their own country, the bad part about it is, they don't care about THIS country, they don't make their homes pretty here, they have junk and don't invest in the appearance of their home, instead they save up and SEND their earned money to FIX up their home in THEIR country, they save up and send money to the people in THEIR country, very little of them actually care about the country the immigrated to and invest in their homes here making them look nice not trashed, helping the city they live in look better, it's such a small percent of them who actually help out the country look better, the rest run around with THEIR home flag in THIS country , yelling how PROUD they are of THEIR country etc etc. who needs that?

[OddBeMe]

Wrong. The EU is the source for the lowest crime rates and the highest percentage of immigrant influx.

[Anonymous]

The worst thing about illegal immigration isn’t the cost but the demographic shift. White people are soon to become minorities in our own country.

[OddBeMe]

Why is that important? White skin, pale skin, tan skin. I bet you tan your skin to look darker. How’s that different?

[exitseven]

When millions of uneducated, unskilled, indigent people with no marketable skills and many with health issues come streaming into the country there is no way that even if they could find a menial minimum wage job they would still not be able to support themselves. They still will need some form of food stamps or section 8 housing. Since most businesses are not fined for hiring them they can pay them cash and then still collect welfare. Since they either work for cash or make so little money they do not pay taxes the American taxpayers get stuck paying the tab. Then we have the whole issue about healthcare and crime. Then once they start having anchor babies they will need medical care and education. Once that happens we will never get rid of them.

[OddBeMe]

Funny that those indigents have no problem finding jobs. Especially since they can’t get welfare.

[exitseven]

They are all living in hotels with 3 squares a day and free everything. Thy get 2200 dollars a month from social security.
soarworks.samhsa.gov/.../special-considerations-for-immigration-and-residency-ssi-for-non-citizens

If they are working at all they are working for cash and still collect benefits.

[OddBeMe]

You’re taking this spotlight of a dozen people or whatever. I’m talking about the whole of illegal immigrants. 80% of whom fly in via airports.

They commit less crime.
They pay sales tax getting nothing in return,
And they get screwed by their underhanded employers.

I don’t know why we don’t open the borders and hand each goddamn “indigent” a tax ID card so they work freely and legally and we can tax their asses.

[exitseven]

yes, when are we going to have a parade in their honor? I want to be there.

[msc545]

They are indeed self-imposed. "Fiscally conservative" Republicans have made an issue of illegal immigration because to them, punishment is more important than even money, and besides, their mentally ill sociopathic cult leader has made an issue of it.

[Sevenpointfive]

once we get that wall started back up in November it will be worth it. it certainly isn't the same as spending billions on foreign wars. just put the wall up and shut the fuck up about it.

imagine if you or your husband was replaced by an illegal immigrant or legal immigrant? would your feelings change?

[Anonymous]

It would be cheaper to defund all the police.

[OddBeMe]

Sure but some are needed. ICE? Not so much.

[Opinion Owner]

If you're worried about cost, get rid of cops, judges, prosecutors, public defenders, jails and prisons.

[OddBeMe]

Why? Can’t we determine which are needed and which aren’t?

[Opinion Owner]

A guy in Tennessee was arrested 66 times, and then killed someone. So tell me why we need cops, judges, etc.

[OddBeMe]

Because Tennessee isn’t a hell hole of crime. I’ve been there. So obviously cops and judges are making a difference.

[Opinion Owner]

Over a hundred known terrorists have crossed the border. That's just the ones we caught. Stopping terrorists from crossing our border will cost money. Take the money out of the Ukraine scam.

[OddBeMe]

Firstly please send me links of these “known terrorists” crossing the border. That’s been a racist myth from repubs for years.

And second, Ukraine is fighting against a fascist enemy and needs to be supported. And it’s literally a teaspoon of our budget. So our ROI is pretty good.

[Opinion Owner]

Send me the link where terrorists have NOT crossed our border. And also send the links where fentanyl hasn't crossed, and criminals haven't crossed.

[OddBeMe]

You want evidence of something not happening? That’s not how logic works.

But I’ll bite. All I’m seeing are “watch list” suspects being apprehended at both northern and southern borders. Does that mean Islamic extremists? Can’t tell but most likely cartel related.

And we are so concerned about “watch lists” that we still allow those on it to be buy guns. Lol

about.bgov.com/.../

[Opinion Owner]

Wow! Logic. Only good people are coming into our open border. Thanks for clearing that up.

[OddBeMe]

So all populations these days have like 99% good people and a few bad apples. We can assume the same average percentage are coming across the border. Right?

[Opinion Owner]

Are you talking about people bringing in fentanyl?

[OddBeMe]

Sure. What % of people are “bringing in fetanyl? Funny since it’s made here in the US. But whatevs.

[Anonymous]

Nah, look at for example Japan and its immigration. Few immigrants and one of the countries with lowest crime rates in the world. Now look at Sweden. One of the highest crime rates in Europe.

[Anonymous]

Not on its own but if you deliberately leave the border wide open with no security then yes.

[OddBeMe]

Ok then what would happen if we did that?

[Opinion Owner]

We have been doing that right now, for at least a decade.

The border states that don't have sanctuary cities are sending these illegal immigrants to places like NYC and now the people of these cities are seeing the problems with the policies that they are voting for and are protesting what the cities want to do with them.

[OddBeMe]

And what’s happening that’s so bad?

[Opinion Owner]

They're housing them in places like school gymnasiums.

[OddBeMe]

My god…they’re US citizens are being…nice?

This is worse than I thought…

[Opinion Owner]

You seriously think that was THEIR choice?

[OddBeMe]

The US citizens caring for immigrants? Yes they aren’t forced to do that. Moron.

[Opinion Owner]

They clearly didn't ask for illegal immigrants to be shoved into school gymnasiums, that is why they have been protesting.

[OddBeMe]

Some are I guess. It’s not their decision. Like it’s not ours to say where our tax dollars go. Or I’d have cut you off from welfare long ago.

[Opinion Owner]

It should be our say because that is the money we earned through our work in making society function as it is.

Cut me off from welfare? I am not on welfare but please do, it would be a burden slightly lifted off of the working class.

[OddBeMe]

Doesn’t work that way. Cuz yours goes to my brothers healthcare. Mine goes to your grandparents social security.

[Opinion Owner]

Maybe if you didn't vote for coroporate shills that don't give a damn what big pharma does, we wouldn't be in this mess and be demanding for everyone to pay for everyone else's healthcare.

What social security? My grandparents were not morons and saved up their money and now they go on cruises every year in addition to various other vacations and supporting various visitors. Social security is nothing but a ponzi scheme anyway and since I am gen z, I won't seeing any of that money back nor will any of my descendants.

[OddBeMe]

It’s actually not. Social sec is their money saved for them. But the problem is both of us. We all vote for our incumbent congressman and hate everyone else’s.

[Opinion Owner]

No it is because social security is a ponzi scheme. To break it even further, the age where you are allowed to have it is still 65. Back in the depression era, 65 was a tough age to reach. Now any moron can make it that old and they will be mooching off of the blood, sweat and tears of the working class for the next possible 35 years or more.

That social security well will dry up one day within the next couple decades, I was born too late to see any of the money that was taken from me back.

[OddBeMe]

Currently it’s not. People are getting what they paid into it. Boomers retiring is an issue. As well as corporate tax evasion. So we could have funding issues in the future. But it ain’t a scheme. Unless you’re one of those guys who thinks taxes are illegal.

[Opinion Owner]

What is the difference between social security and a ponzi scheme becuase after that social security well dries up, which is predicted to happen in 2035, people after Gen X aren't getting shit and Gen X and above will be getting all of the fruits of the labor of the generations after them.

What do you mean boomers retiring is an issue? You just expect them to work for the rest of their lives?

The only people who can stop corporate tax evasion is the federal government and they could do it very easily, they just won't for some reason.

I think income taxes are legal, but they shouldn't be.

[OddBeMe]

The difference is it’s worked for 90 years and as long as the next gen has wealth it won’t be a Ponzi scheme. If we knowingly keep SS when we know it won’t pay out, then it would be. Buts that’s NEVER happened.

[Opinion Owner]

The more we keep trashing the economy like Biden is doing, SS is eventually going to run out of other people's money.

[gorydetails]

How many do you let into your home?

[OddBeMe]

You must of have just woken up.

Lots actually. If the yard guys need a break or some water, they can come in. I hired a few last week to put in a stone walkway. They did a miraculous job. I fed them dinner that night becuase they were working late.

[OddBeMe]

Of course I don’t know if they actually are illegal or legal migrants, I don’t care particularly. Would you?

[gorydetails]

That’s not answering the question. How many illegals would you let camp out in your front yard?

[OddBeMe]

I mean if it was needed fill the fcking yard. What do I care?

Especially if it’s life or death, which it is for them in Mexico.

[gorydetails]

I'll wait for proof of your virtue signal.