By Roy Beck, Friday, December 5, 2008, 10:17 AM EST - posted on NumbersUSA
With the federal government reporting another giant loss of jobs for November, isn't it time to stop the massive importation of foreign workers?
Non-farm employers in the U.S. eliminated 533,000 jobs in November. At the same time, in a typical month the feds give out approximately 140,000 new work permits and green cards to foreign workers.
How can this make any sense for the American people's own government to be recruiting more competitors for a dwindling number of jobs? Month after month as hundreds of thousands of Americans lose their jobs, the feds keep pumping another 140,000 new foreign workers into the laborforce.
The new foreign workers compete with the laid-off and underemployed highly skilled Americans in most professions and occupations, but most foreign workers compete directly in the construction, service and manufacturing industries where unemployment is the highest and where Americans have the least margin of financial security.
The feds add workers in two major ways.
That adds up to an astounding rate of 1,657,266 foreign workers per year, and that doesn't count renewals on foreign work permits or the flow of illegal workers.
While the new Congress and President determine how to best spend a trillion dollars to stimulate more jobs, they should immediately in January suspend most foreign-worker importation. Limiting immigration mostly to nuclear families and our fair share of internationally recognized special needs refugees seems like the logical response to job-loss reports like the one today (Dec. 5).
ROY BECK is Founder & CEO of NumbersUSA
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TwitterJeff4269 of CO
Mon, 12/22/2008 - 11:43am
Thanks Moderator;
Good no-nonsense page of info. Will pass link on. Happy Holidays!
Jeff4269 of CO
Fri, 12/19/2008 - 12:12pm
Roy; As long as NumbersUSA is taking the gloves off, I think it's time to admit to ourselves that turning a blind eye to illegal immigration is a symptom to a much greater illness:
http://www.stopthenorthamericanunion.com/
http://www.newsmax.com/morris/g_20_economic_summit/2008/11/19/153044.htm...
http://www.fdrs.org/one_world_government.html
NumbersUSA Moderator: Our issues page on the subject is here. Whether you are concerned about a North American Union or not, Chain Migration and Illegal Immigration are the two critical areas that must be addressed in order to achieve our goals of a just and sustainable society.
Daniel2586 of CA
Sat, 12/13/2008 - 10:00pm
Most of high tech firms are now using H-1B workers as hiring managers or technical managers. Politically, these H-1B managers are maily utilizing for downgrading or laying off US skilled workers. At the same time they are utilizing for importing more cheap foreign workers from the oversea.
Now we are in recession and high unemployment rate. We need to stop depolying these H-1B guest workers for the time being. In fact, we are not shorting any skilled workers in this high unemployment rate.
We really need to protect US high tech industry. Otherwise, we will have more jobless in 2009.
Please urge our congress for taking a deep consideration about H-1B guest workers.
David A.1923 of TX
Sat, 12/13/2008 - 8:19pm
This government has been thumbing it's nose at the American people all through this immigration problem. And it continues to do so. I've always said that it will take a massive demonstration in Washington, a "Take Back America" type protest to get those people's attention. And the protesters need to show anger, no politically correct nonsense. For some reason, Americans don't care to do that. I don't think this government will take the anti-illegal people seriously until they protest big time. Just my opinion for what it's worth.
NumbersUSA Moderator: We promote our website as a continuous virtual march. In 2007,
thousands of illegal aliens gathered in a few cities to promote
amnesty. Then they planned their own march on Washington which failed
miserably. During that time, we continued to send faxes and make
phonecalls to Congress. We'll use this same method to defeat amnesty
again this year.
Furthermore, the illegal alien marches in spring of 2006 & 2007 probably did more to energize our side of the issue than theirs. Americans across the country rose up in vocal opposition. Then, when the pro-amnesty rally in Washington, D.C. turned out an embarrassingly low number, their supporters were demoralized. Marches and rallies have their place, but they will not win the war for us. A continual stream of constituents visiting local Congressional offices would be a more effective alternative.
Clarence8398 of KS
Sat, 12/13/2008 - 7:51am
The USA problems are trying to be solved by an inept organization, our government. To make matter worst our elected officials have and continue making our government bigger and more intrusive for their own self-interest not the country. Once the government starts an action the government can not stop, alter, or revise the action, unless by court action. One of these actions happen to be immigration.
Most of the comments on the article are just good old common sense. We can see the problems but our government can not. People like us make up the government. Congress needs to allow lower level personnel to stop curtain actions when the problems arise and allow time to evaluate and solve the problem. The people running the government know too many immigrants (legal or illegal) is not good for our country in so many ways. Congress needs to empower the lower level management to control immigration and other areas of government.
Thanks Oklahoma for being a leading state on illegal immigration. But the down side is that Kansas is getting many of your illegal outcasts but Kansas has morons for a governor and other state officials that will not follow your lead. Though, Kansas voters have been trying for years.
Last thought, What would a private sector company do when they had too many employees? Reduce the employee numbers and other costs or go bankrupt, right. The past administration and our upcoming administration only want to increase immigration, so does that mean the country is heading for bankruptcy? I have lost to much of my investment and income money in the past year, have you? Placing more labor into the equation does not lead to economic recovery or putting people who lost job back to work.
Richard0886 of CO
Sat, 12/13/2008 - 12:50am
Since we are all on the same page here about illegal immigration, how in the hell did we end up with two open border presidential candidates?
Something's wrong here.
Mimi 3889 of GA
Fri, 12/12/2008 - 10:57pm
Until the employers are penalized for hiring illegals, the problem will continue.
You must impose jail time, and make it mandatory that the employer check the social security numbers with the E-Verify. The majority of illegals, particularly from Mexico have forged documents to comply with I-9 with the knowledge of the employer, particularly small manufacturing and recycling business with hard repetitive labor.
People must begin to Vote the Congress out of office, that allows for the continued flow of illegal immigration. The idea, that the government would issue visas for work in this economy is a total lack of concern for American People.
The borders of Mexico are not safe for Americans due to the drug traffic and has extended to twenty plus cities. We should have Our National Guard on the border, instead of building the fence. The fence should be build with contractors to create jobs. Bush has pushed and gotten billions for Mexico and Latin American countries for the drug war. $20 million in the previous six months without any accountability or monitoring, but the drug war has gotten worse than anytime in our history. The National Guard should be on the border with machine guns with a shot to kill policy:inspecting every vehicle. Amazing, Bush refuses to pardon the two Border Agents in a federal pen in Texas, that were doing their job. Bush needs to pardon these agents and stop playing footsie with the President of Mexico. Bush only pardons his buddies and the people that can pay for high power lawyers.
Juanita9628 of KS
Fri, 12/12/2008 - 10:48pm
I was shocked to read this article! I can not believe our own government is giving out jobs to foreiners while this biggest percentage of unemployment for the last 25 yrs is taking place. How can we have any faith in our government, let alone any respect, if they don't care about their own people and don't care if some of us go hungry or lose our homes, not to mention a lot of other things? I just don't get it! I would like to know who is in charge of this and how to write to them. This should NOT be tolerated! I am furious! I don't know if there is anything that can be done about this, but I would sure like to try.
Thomas1167 of MA
Fri, 12/12/2008 - 7:18pm
... 140,000 new work permits and green cards to foreign workers.
In these figures how many Resident Alien cards were given out to immigrants that came to the US originally though K1 or CR1 visas? I agree the government really could care less about us they have shown it in multiple ways, but if that number does contain K! and CR1 people, than I feel it is flawed.
William5622 of OK
Tue, 12/09/2008 - 2:24pm
Please vote on Obama's change.org, we need 130 more votes to get to round 2.
Please vote & share with everyone you know! This is what is written:
Enforce Our Immigration Laws
Enforce the laws of this country first and formost.Stop pandering to the illegal alien by agreeing with them that the ICE raids must stop.ICE must keep doing their job and they need to deport all illegal aliens who are working here illegally and breaking other laws in America.
When you take the oath remember who you are working for.That would be the legal citizens of America.The vast majority of voters want our immigration laws enfoced and our borders secured.
You may also be smart to get ready for the coming drug wars by the Mexican drug cartels who are in all our states but 2.
They will be fighting for turf in our communities the same way they are in Mexico, and that fight has taken over 4 thousand lives,it is a real threat and amnesty will only make it worse.
No path to citizenship, enforce our laws and let the illegal alien go home.
- Joan Tofanelli (Housekeeper in a hospital, )Dec 04 @ 05:41AM PST
http://www.change.org/ideas/view/enforce_our_immigration_laws
Timothy1838 of TX
Tue, 12/09/2008 - 12:19am
Imagine if you will.... The United States is a general store. The clerks in that store are Congress. These clerks have been selling practically everything in the back of the store to foreign customers (foreign countries, special interest groups, lobbyists, etc.)
Now the town folks living in this town (U.S. Citizens) enter the store as usual, but this time the only items on the shelves are some meager crumbs. The clerks who were hired to manage the store have sold everything in the back store room. With this they lined their own pockets with their greed.
While this is a stretch of immagination, it also shows what is and has been happening in this country for some time.
Our own elected officials, the same ones who were elected to represent the citizens of the U.S., have put their own political agendas before the citizens of the U.S. Allowing any form of amnesty is yet another example of the greed, and beningn way Washington exists.
We have become a nation on the chasm of chaos. It is becoming a country of Haves and Have Nots. The only thing keeping peace in all of this is that we still have merchandise (products, jobs, etc.) on the shelves.
This country was founded on Judeo-Christian beliefs, but it seems we have become a nation of being "politically correct", while loosing out our own freedoms established by our fore-fathers who fought for our freedoms and the right to pursue equality. Any form of Amnesty is wrong. Companies have to be held accountable for outsourcing jobs overseas. Foreign companies coming to the U.S. to setup shop, only to apply for working visas or sending outsourcing jobs overseas as well.
The United States was once that "beacon on a hill", but our light is slowly being extinguished by amensty and the outsourcing of american jobs to foreign countries. Some of which do not have the best interest of America.
Bob3012 of NV
Mon, 12/08/2008 - 4:03pm
Why isn't the government forced to get real time figures on unemployed and under employed citizens? Freedom of Information should be enough to demand this accounting so it can be made public. I guarantee the figures will be closer to thirty million than to ten million.
If these ego driven jerks on the hill don't read bills before they sign them, how do we know they are aware of the unemployment situation. Once the numbers are available, all on Capitol Hill need to be forced to sign receipt and acknowledgment of what the numbers represent.
David4143 of CA
Mon, 12/08/2008 - 3:19pm
This is terrible that so many Americans are losing their jobs now! How absurd to now let immigrants, both legal & illegal, pour into our country?!!! Our elected officials need to come down out of their ivory tower and wake up to the reality of the average American worker.
Friends, I've had this battle cry now for years. I work in the IT industry and we've been losing our jobs to both immigrants coming here to the U.S. and to the offshoring industry. I've been writing to my senators & congressman for years regarding this issue, all to no avail. They don't care. I am fortunate that I'm employeed now and probably will be into next year, but I'm very anxious about a year or so down the road. Bill Gates and all the other corporate liars screaming that there isn't enough American talent are selling us out. They, along with our Congress, don't care.
Our leaders need to watch out, as they will see a new revolution from the American people that will make the first one look like nothing. Join with me. We don't have to take it!
Velva7539 of TX
Mon, 12/08/2008 - 2:47pm
The way I see it----Our elected officials pretty much support illegal aliens entering this nation - taking jobs from American citizens and letting the tax payers flip the bill----------well what if WE THE PEOPLE say it's ok for the citizen of another nation to take the job of a Senator or Congressman/woman? Or what if we DEMAND that our elected officials only take $1.00 per year in salary, no fancy jet flights, no eating out (brown bag it)!!!!
They don't mind taking out of our mouths, as long as it doesn't effect their way of life!!!!
Illegal immigration IS AGAINST THE LAW - we should NOT give citizenship to a child born in this country of an illegal alien and anyone who hires, harbors or protects an illegal should be prosecuted.
Rollie5162 of MN
Mon, 12/08/2008 - 1:39am
Ted9104 of GA
We all know this. The reality, however, is that the federal government seems to dismiss any information that may be contrary to common sense. MN paid an estimated $350 million in aid to illegal immigrants last year. The churches keep helping them get here and the Federal Government does nothing to stem the tide. Part of this is corporate greed. Before the economic meltdown, government and corporations were thick as flies in their enthusiasm to lower wage/benefit liabilities on corporate balance sheets by using illegal labor. This greed spills over into politics cause that's where the politicians get their electioneering money and backing...corporations.
It makes no difference what is right or wrong. Fair or unfair. It is the system, and you can not argue rational positions (the cost of illegal immigration) with a system whose motivation is power instead of being rational. Power does not give a damn about costs and if the politicians believe it to their political advantage to "IMPORT" people to pay for a retiring population...then that's exactly what will happen and you can argue right/wrong, fair/unfair, or the negative cost consequences to you are dead! It will not change a thing. The people have lost control of their government and now the government controls the people.
The only way to change any of this is to help the politicians understand that their political life may hang in the balance. The trouble is, with an increasing minority population, that will become increasingly difficult to accomplish. The only chance there is, is with organizations such as NumbersUSA and its ability to organize large numbers to try and influence decisions before the point is mute.
Mary0330 of MI
Sun, 12/07/2008 - 11:43am
Reid and Pelosi BOTH make it hard to contact their offices, BUT if someone has capitol contacts book, they can post on here their "local" offices in Nevada, and we can give THEM an earful because they won't have us contacting their DC offices.
I contacted my Senator's office, Carl Levin of Michigan, they say he is anti-amnesty, yeah, sure, just look at his record, his office managers all have "talking points", but they sure aren't what he espouses!!!
I crossed the border yesterday at Nuevo Progresso, Mexico, the ONLY place most Legal American citizens will cross, it used to be safe, yesterday, here is what I saw! just after you cross their checkpoint, a TANK with turrett machine gun pointing south, a shoulder high pile of sandbags with a machine gun pointing south on top, and a soldier behind it with machine gun hanging from him. AND machine gun laden soldiers all around them. They stopped a few cars with Texas plates heading over the border, and searched them. They are looking for guns being transported into Mexico, BUT if they ever failed to stop a car heading south, all kinds of hell would break out, as there is a steady stream of cars heading North of native Mexicans going shopping in the McAllen area (usually Sams and Walmart), and I "think" native USA citizens of Mexican descent going "home" to visit relatives and shop in Mexico. So they would shoot up a lot of innocent people heading North with their machine guns!!! Last year was the first year with armed soldiers in Nuevo Progresso (in the valley region of the Rio Grande, in the McAllen area of Texas),this year the have progressed further with more armed soldiers and the TANK!!! This is to stop guns being transported into Mexico to help the out of control Drug Cartels that have murdered around 4,000 in the last year, with a LOT OF CUTTING OFF OF HEADS. A week or so ago they killed 40 or so in one border town, don't remember what one, but children were murdered also.
I would try to sneak over also IF I were from South America, you can't believe the dirt and the houses they live in, and their shortage of water (don't know why), but that is why the Hispanics toss their dirty toilet tissue in the wastebaskets instead of flushing, because they don't have good water pressure, BUT I am very anti Illegal Immigration, it is NOT right, they have NOT been Vetted for disease, intent, etc. It is illegal to WORK in the USA without proper paper work, you cannot work without being accepted into the US legally.
I do not want another amnesty, illegal aliens given amnesty DO NOT HAVE TO do the same things Legal Immigrants do to get citizenship, they DO NOT HAVE TO LEARN ENGLISH, They do not have to pay huge sums like legal immigrants do, they are just given a free pass, and so do not become engrained into our culture. Some from the 1986 amnesty here 20 plus years STILL do not speak english, because WE bend over backwards to accomodate them in speaking "their language". NOT RIGHT!
SO go to www.NumbersUSA.com/petition, and sign the petition to our President Elect to just say NO~~~
V5960 of WA
Sun, 12/07/2008 - 2:36am
This just proves how out of touch the people in DC are, and Obama will prove himself to be no different. Almost NONE of those in congress are working class people, middle class people, they are mostly super rich, live in gated communities and don't worry about their jobs, in fact, their tenure in the Senate or House is just more of a hobby to them rather than a "job providing bill paying income".
Everyone one of you be sure to contact the Speaker of the House's office (along with your Senate and House members) with this fact about foreign workers still being imported while more and more Americans are losing their jobs, and don't forget Reid's office either, altho he makes it VERY hard to contact him if you don't live in Nevada! The coward! DO NOT let up for even one day! Heck, go to Obama's transition website and tell him daily too, he SAYS he is looking for ideas, lets give him a few!
Ted9104 of GA
Sat, 12/06/2008 - 5:43pm
Rollie of MN,
Not to get on your case, but these so-called replacement workers will probably cost more then they contribute. Even if we break even on the federal level, there are costs on the state and local level for education, health care, infrastructure, etc. Not to mention costs for illegals. Now whether our politicians realize this or ignore it, your guess is as good as mine.
NumbersUSA Moderator: This is a critical point. As many of CIS' studies have found, legal immigration costs even more than illegal immigration. This is why we must all remember to focus on the OVERALL numbers.
Elena1163 of NY
Sat, 12/06/2008 - 5:15pm
It seems our corrupt anti-American politicans don't realize that if we the American people lose are jobs and don't make money....THEY (the politicans) will not get paid either!
Rollie5162 of MN
Sat, 12/06/2008 - 3:04pm
This is all about the MONEY! Our wonderful government having, through their superior intellect, brought us to the point where social security and medicare are 30-40 TRILLION dollars in the hole...needs more BENJAMINES! You see, the demographics show the useless politicians that the native population is not producing the necessary replacement workers to pay for the GREAT SCOCIETY SCOCIAL PROGRAMS! This means that the useless politicians now are at the point where they are willing to sell America so that the bills can be paid! They do not concern themselves with the negative results...they just don't want the people to finally realize how their governments irresponsibility has doomed the greatest country on earth. Soooooo, when you have to collect enough tax money to support your failed system and the citizenry is not producing enough replacement mooks to pay the tax revenues necessary to cover the insanity, you IMPORT!!! The United States Government has screwed its' people to the core...and even now instead of telling us the truth and being honest with the people it represents...our dishonest government has chosen to sell America to try and cover its' pathetic ass. The "Change" this country needs is for its' people to dismantle their government and start anew.
Teresa7991 of MI
Sat, 12/06/2008 - 12:43pm
Here is reality:
On January 1, 2000 at 12:00:01 am, MILLIONS of "high tech" workers became unneccessary.
The fall out was just starting to be felt when 9-11 occurred and then cheap credit kicked in.
Once the veil of housing & cheap credit evaporated, the pain was felt.
Manufacturing & high tech have been off shored, or imported, and the wages driven into the basement. Yet the tech companies continue to scream "worker shortage" while throwing away tens of thousands of American applications.
The Democrats are getting ready to sell America on the fact we have to have foreigners to solve the housing crisis (no bad credit, no credit--you watch and see).
Scary things are going on and the majority of the population is clueless--until after they are unemployed for a couple years, then they may be catching on.
Dorothy7665 of NE
Sat, 12/06/2008 - 12:27pm
I completely agree that allowing large numbers of foreign workers to enter the country to work at this time undercuts any economic stimulus program. Congress should suspend this visa program with few if any exceptions in my opinion because there are already many highly skilled unemployed American workers available to fill these vacancies.
Frank8710 of NC
Sat, 12/06/2008 - 11:45am
Illegal immigration is going to destroy this great nation due to the fiscal cost; it must be stopped before we go bankrupt. How much of a bigger financial hole would we now be in if the “comprehensive immigration” bill had passed when it was first proposed?
I am asking everyone’s help to force our federal government to initiate a study into the overall cost illegal immigration to taxpayers at the federal, state, and local levels since 1965.
I have sent Sen. Burr, R, NC a request for a GAO or CRS report however, each and ever American interested in fiscal spending, fiscal debt and illegal immigration must take the time to write a short request to each of their two senators along with their congressperson asking for such a study. Ask for a copy of all written correspondence they initiate on your request.
After writing them, call them.
I call 1965 the beginning of illegal immigration. What has been the cost to American taxpayers from 1965 to the present? Why no study? We study everything in the federal government, why not this? Is it because this nation has been on a course to establish a North American Union, much like the European Union and then combine it all into a new world order.
I have long been concerned with our fiscal spending and fiscal debt even before the big spending days of George Bush. Our federal debt limit has been raised six times since Gorge Bush took office in 2001. The "official" debt of the United States is over $10 trillion dollars as of August 6, 2008. This is bad but our children and grandchildren could pay it off in a few decades if we quit buying luxuries like food and clothing.
As you know, the "$10 trillion" figure is a government accounting illusion, which among other things allows one to ignore Social Security, Medicare, and the new prescription drug benefit. This is the same as a family ignoring rent, utilities, food and the entire household budget. Our real debt is ten times higher when you figure in all of the promises made to taxpayers.
The President of the Dallas Federal Reserve, Richard W. Fisher in a May speech at the Commonwealth Club of California, stated the United States real national debt is close to $100 trillion. You can read his whole speech at the Federal Reserve web site. http://www.dallasfed.org/news/speeches/fisher/index.cfm.
I had the pleasure of viewing a documentary film, I.O.U.S.A. and found our government asleep at the wheel, again! I suggest you go to this website and watch the 30-minute trailer. I have also visited Ross Perot Charts website, along with viewing the fiscal clock at
Truth in 2008. Pete G. Peterson Foundation is focusing on our debt issue with former Comptroller General, David Walker taking the lead. These three sites are quite sobering to say the least.
As I mentioned at the beginning of this blog, we have no idea the cost of illegal immigration. What is it? How much American has been forced to pay into this social experiment since 1965 when Sen. Kennedy led the charge in expanding legal immigration? This in turn has prompted illegal immigration. What has been the cost of the Supreme Court ruling in 1982 forcing American to funding K-12 education of illegal aliens? What has been the cost to American’s to provide free medical care for illegal aliens was passed in 1985 to do so?
NumbersUSA Moderator: The Center for Immigration Studies (CIS) has done extensive research into the cost of immigration (both legal and illegal). Click here.
Doris 2419 of NJ
Sat, 12/06/2008 - 7:45pm
Frank8710ofNC: The annual cost today for ILLEGALS is approx. 338 BILLION DOLLARS! Isn't it strange that illegal immigration started in 1965 when Vietnam was starting to really heat up and our guys were being sent there in mass? Now, we're in Iraq and Afghanistan and illegal immigrants are being welcomed here by our government. At the rate that LEGAL AMERICAN CITIZENS are losing jobs, what will the Vets of Iraq have to look forward to when they return home (if they recognize it)? Where will they find a job? Will they be forced to go on welfare because their own government stabbed them in the back while they were off fighting for their country? Probably so! I have read that if necessary Obama will have our streets patroled by the military. Wouldn't it be great to have our streets patroled by the same little punks who decide to join the military because they like guns and violence???
Jim5493 of NC
Sat, 12/06/2008 - 11:30am
It is great to see so many comments from people on this, or for that matter, any subject. But what is so interesting to me is that NumbersUSA members are demonstrating a broader understanding of the issues. My hats off to you! You know fixing something is more than treating the superficial problem, its attacking the root cause. You realize that just because a chorus of people are saying the same thing over and over does not make it true! It gives us all hope that reasoning, common sense and thinking are not extinct. Please.... teach these to your children.
Philip4584 of VT
Sat, 12/06/2008 - 10:52am
Roy, you are making some good points that need to be repeated across the land. The economy will get worse before it gets better, and we need to take care of those American who are here first.
In response to all the political comments here, I voted for Obama in spite of his immigration position. McCain was no better on this point, and worse on many other issues, IMHO. I think the only way we can slow the immigration boosters now is to pressure Obama and the Congress with exactly the point made above: with the current recession/depression, we don't need many more people becoming citizens.
I'd also like to know how, if there is an amnesty, the goverment is going to prevent the flood of new illegal immigrants that would likely follow. That's what happened after the 1986 amnesty: more came, not fewer.
John5563 of GA
Sat, 12/06/2008 - 6:47am
Unemployement is the ultimate "share the wealth" club. We tax the wealthy who used to provide jobs and share it with those who used to "have" jobs. Socialism - the equal distribution of misery. 533,000 join "The Share The Wealth Club"!
June0343 of NV
Sat, 12/06/2008 - 3:45am
Illegal alien Amnesty is not a party issue, it is an effort to bring slave labor to America. It is supported by big corporations who want to get rid of labor unions and minimum wage laws.
David7422 of FL
Sat, 12/06/2008 - 2:18am
In support of Doris 2419 of NJ and others, get off the high horse McCain supporters; McCain was pro-amnesty just like the Dems. I expect it from the tree-hugging Dems, but what was McCain’s excuse? He was indifferent to illegal immigration for some unknown reason.
Doris 2419 of NJ
Fri, 12/05/2008 - 11:44pm
Anyone who thinks that McCain would have been the answer to blocking amnesty is dead wrong. He attended a Latino convention on June 28, 2008 and his comment was: "I am for Amnesty, yesterday, today, and tomorrow". McCain worked on an Amnesty Bill with Barack Obama which is the bill that Harry Reid is trying to shove down our throats now! We LEGAL AMERICAN CITIZENS have obviously served our purpose. We've built this country, paid taxes up the a__, and bailed out banks and corporations. The government wants to turn the US into Mexico, two classes only, the ruling rich and the working poor. The fact that many in the government would like to do away with the second amendment, the right to keep and bear arms does make one wonder if they fear a REVOLUTION.
Stephen2704 of PA
Fri, 12/05/2008 - 10:53pm
Few Republicans stood with Bush or with McCain on immigration or how to deal with current illegal aliens. We had few options since when we held primaries, moderates & cross-over Democrats allowed to vote in Republican primaries in some states, decided for us who our national candidate would be.
If we had our way, Duncan Hunter, Tom Tancredo, or Mitt Romney would have received our nod. Each of them were for attrition & enforcement. They knew we could not glut our labor pool with illegal aliens and with legal alien workers, and still have a viable economy.
We know Republicans (in name only ) failed. We also know many Democrats are for amnesty right out of the gate because they see new Democrat voters for the future.
In the end, a bad economy might stem some of the tide. But legal alien workers will only exacerbate the problems. We need to seal our borders properly, controlling not just illegal alien entries, but also illegal drugs, stolen property, criminal movements, human trafficking, gang movements, & possible terrorist movements. Savings on the illegal drug trade alone would pay for much of our enforcement efforts.
In the end, its time we got realistic about how many we can take in & still operate as a nation. We are out of money. The gravy train is about to go broke & once that happens, there will be NO entries as citizens rise up & demand the borders be closed. If they are not, citizens will do the job themselves.
Laurel6425 of IL
Fri, 12/05/2008 - 9:16pm
Soon the only people in the U.S. with jobs will be illegals and foreigners.
Hessie8267 of MD
Fri, 12/05/2008 - 9:14pm
You mentioned Bill Richardson's Spanish speech. Do not be surprised if Obama gives part of his inagural address in Spanish or has a Spanish translator present to translate his English. You mentioned the number of legally admitted people. What about the illegals? Their number has gone down but they are still coming in.
NumbersUSA Moderator: Illegal immigration is still a very big problem, which is why every fax and phone call should end with a request to make E-Verify mandatory for all businesses.
In terms of total numbers, legal immigration has a greater impact on foreign labor competition and tax-payer burden, which is why every fax and phone call should also end with a request to end chain migration in order to give our workers tax payers a break.
Duane7810 of TX
Fri, 12/05/2008 - 8:50pm
There is one bright spot on the illegal immigration stage.....Oklahoma's crack down on the employment of illegals in their state! Having made a recent trip through Oklahoma there was a noticeable change. Way to go Oklahoma! If only some of the other states (Texas, Kansas, Colorado, New Mexico) would follow their determination to keep the work place free of illegals. Certainly Texas has a long way to go, heck according to a recent Judicial Watch article officials of the Dallas Independent School District gave stolen and fake social security numbers to illegal alien bilingual teachers.....now wouldn't that burn your toast!
This country has reached a sad state of affairs when its governmental leaders place support for foreign illegal workers (who break this country's laws) ahead of legal unemployed and employed American workers.
NumbersUSA Moderator: For all of you discouraged people out there, please make it a habit to check in with our homepage every day. We post news stories in the left column every day, and there are success stories every week. Oklahoma is just one example of successful state and local action.
Tracy5431 of NC
Fri, 12/05/2008 - 8:25pm
This is typical of the mental disconnect polititions have that is killing our country. I propose that we start a new movement. This movement should be called the UN Movement. (UN might be a poor choice because it is already being used for a useless orgnization). My Idea for this mevement is that we would vote against ALL incombent politicians for as many elections as it takes to break up all the chrony relationships which continue to promote these insane policies.
Barry5698 of PA
Fri, 12/05/2008 - 7:58pm
John0317 of TX
Fri, 12/05/2008 - 5:13pm
Hey all you Obama nuts,
Hey all you Obama nuts, now's your chance. Get your boy to do something for Americans. He-he not to funny, huh? I wasted my vote for McCain. What's yall's excuse?
==========
Whether you know it or not McCain was for the exact same thing as Obama when it comes to immigration and the border. In fact the meeting they recently had was in part to discuss yet another amnesty headed by McCain on the republican side.
So much for you republican party and their constant complicity in illegal and legal immigration!
You also forget about the 6 years of total republican control where the republicans did absolutely nothing to stop illegal immigration when they could have easily passed a bill that would have put brakes on illegal immigration by making being here in the US a federal crime as as few republicans wanted but couldn't get the votes needed even in their own party.
Face it both sides are the same when it comes to immigration legal and illegal whether you want to believe it or not!
NumbersUSA Moderator: Please see our comment or John of TX's original comment. NumbersUSA users include people of all political stripes and we have to work together. Tearing down each other's Party does not move us closer to sensible immigration policies.
Immigration is a fascinating issue in that there are heroes and villains on both sides of the aisle. Take the SAVE Act, Republicans and Democrats came together to support a bi-partisan bill against the wishes of House Leadership (Democrat) and the White House (Republican).
June0343 of NV
Sat, 12/06/2008 - 4:06am
Amen to that!!!!
Big corporations own our government. They want slave labor here in America and what better way to get it is with illegal aliens competing for our jobs they can tell us to take slave wages or starve.
Bruce6972 of CA
Fri, 12/05/2008 - 7:50pm
Hello Roy,
Thank you for the clarification on the nature of the numbers, and the different phenomenon, or behaviors of legal vs illegal immigrants. It makes your initial argument much stronger in my eyes.
I look forward to reading your blog in the future, and participating in your forum here.
Dory6140 of FL
Fri, 12/05/2008 - 7:32pm
Obviously, Washington STILL does not get it!!!! They cannot take care of us, why bring MORE people here to share the crumbs? This is totally unacceptable.....
Bruce6972 of CA
Fri, 12/05/2008 - 6:32pm
The initial point of the e-mail I received on this issue is that we should want the media to include the facts about the number of foreign workers allowed into our labor market legally. I whole heartedly agree, it is very worthwhile to keep the issue of foreign vs domestic labor in the public dialog. Of course the left will say the foreign labor force picks cotton and lettuce while the domestic labor force is unwilling to do this work. I have a laissez faire attitude toward markets, particularly labor markets. The numbers in the BLOG are for different years and from different bureaus. I imagine current numbers could be lower, as the INS reports on illegal border activity indicate, and that there is considerable overlap in the two numbers reported. But why worry about protecting our domestic labor? We have strong unions! Oh yeah, I remember, the unions now represent: Government employees, all Doctors Graduate student Instructors Public school teachers Police and Fire Nurses Prison Guards I see bigger problems than an increasing population that equals an expanded market. I welcome the new folks, and am pleased that they are hear legally. Any thoughts?
FROM ROY: Actually, there isn't overlap. The green cards go to permanent immigrants who don't get work permits because they don't need them. The work permits go to non-immigrants who come as temporary workers, students and family members of people allowed into the country for various reasons.
There is no reason to believe that the numbers are going down at all this year. I just dealt with this in an interview with the Congressional Quarterly. It is true that fewer illegal aliens are entering the country because of the bad job situation. But past experience shows that legal immigration doesn't slow down during recessions. The reason is that there are probably 2 BILLION people in other countries who would like to work here. Even if half of those people were discouraged by our bad economy, 1 BILLION interested people are still plenty to fill 1.6 MILLION legal slots each year.
Louise2142 of CA
Fri, 12/05/2008 - 6:08pm
Bill Richardson tossed out one of the "changes" when he addressed this great nation in a foreign language. I guess the change is from the melting pot to multiculturism. Forget United We Stand, Ellis Island, and all that. Bill Richardson, in his greedy grab for power, betrayed his country.
Robert4557 of TX
Fri, 12/05/2008 - 5:33pm
The Democrats need to project the lenght of the recession immediately and pass a temporary moratorium on visas and green cards until job creation exceeds job losses. If they are truly the partly of the middle class, this should be Act 1 on Jan. 20th.
Zonnia9160 of FL
Fri, 12/05/2008 - 1:14pm
We don't need any foreigners to be imported from other countries.
we have too many Americans right now starving, homeless, .
Our Government has let the Americans down,
Bunnie1638 of CA
Fri, 12/05/2008 - 6:20pm
Our government will soon care because they will not be receiving our tax dollars to pay their hefty wages, lets see if they can survive on food stamps if there is a budget for that after shelling out billions to illegal immigrants. I am livid with every single representative in office; they are surely not working for this country!
James2212 of FL
Mon, 12/08/2008 - 9:36pm
For forty years our government has done nothing to quell this growing problem. With a bad economy for the forseeable future, they must do something now or this will evolve into anarchy and a possible race war. The surplus money is gone for good. To save this great nation the rule of law must regain its power.
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Ron6007 of WA
Sat, 01/03/2009 - 2:19pm
John0317, do you realize
John0317, do you realize that McCain is as negative or worse off than Obama when it comes to immigration? McCain is the man who fought really hard for amnesty all the way in 2006-2007.
Roy, thanks for your hard work.
Now this is serious, when employment was below 6%, I understand that bringing people on H1B may make sense. However, now we are facing a very serious recession. I have several qualified co-workers who already lost jobs. What is the point of continuing the H1B program? How can we really make a difference and request a stop to this H1B program?
"John0317 of TX
Fri, 12/05/2008 - 5:13pm
Hey all you Obama nuts,
Hey all you Obama nuts, now's your chance. Get your boy to do something for Americans. He-he not to funny, huh? I wasted my vote for McCain. What's yall's excuse?"
NumbersUSA Moderator: Let's not let this discussion fall into an Obama vs. McCain argument. The election is over and we have Sen. McCain in the Senate and President-elect Obama preparing to enter the White House. We have our work cut out for us. Let's work together.
For more on the H-1B issue, please see our interest page here. The current law allows employers to intentionally pass over qualified American workers for cheaper foreign workers. High-tech workers were hurting even before our current recession.