“Undocumented, unafraid” and unwelcome today at Georgia’s premier campuses
High school students staged a mock graduation at the UGA arch Tuesday to protest state policy toward students who are here illegally. (AJC file)
High school students staged a mock graduation today at the University of Georgia arch to protest the state policy’s of documenting citizenship of students. Chanting “undocumented, unafraid,” the students expressed dismay at the policy, which they said will lock them out of UGA and other prestigious campuses.
Illegal immigration became a volatile issue in Georgia after it was discovered that Kennesaw State University charged an illegal immigrant in-state tuition in violation of state law. Now, illegal immigrants are barred from any University System of Georgia campus that turned away academically qualified students for the past two years. (The impacted campuses are UGA, Georgia Tech, Georgia State University, Georgia College & State University and the Medical College of Georgia.)
The State Board of Regents adopted the policy last fall after months of angry debate and legislative posturing over assertions that these students stole spots from those legally here. While officials said campuses are not overwhelmed by thousands of illegal immigrants, the regents adopted the policy to placate legislators and reassure taxpayers that illegal students weren’t taking spots. Those students may attend the system’s other 30 colleges, but must pay out-of-state tuition, which is about three times as expensive.
The AJC reported last week that only one out of the more than 10,000 students granted preliminary acceptance to those five coveted campuses was barred from enrolling because the student is an illegal immigrant. It’s not clear whether illegal immigrants aren’t applying because of the new policy or whether they weren’t attending in the first place.
But the policy has sparked frustration and disappointment in students who have lived in this country most of their lives, but whose parents are not legal citizens. And what’s led to the protest Tuesday in Athens.
According to an account of the protest by the Associated Press:
About 25 young people, most wearing graduation caps and gowns, paraded across a busy intersection in Athens Tuesday and onto the University of Georgia campus to protest a new university system policy on the admission of illegal immigrants.
Several dozen supporters chanted and cheered as the protesters, many of them high school students, walked through the arch onto the university’s main quad, receiving fake diplomas in a mock graduation. Addressing their supporters and the media, a number of them publicly declared their illegal status.
“I want the education after high school because I don’t want to end up a deadbeat,” said 15-year-old Alejandro Galeana. “They’re taking away the education that we have a right to.”
The sophomore at Cedar Shoals High School in Athens was brought to the U.S. from Mexico when he was 2. He doesn’t think it’s fair that if he works hard enough to get the grades to qualify to go to one of the state’s top schools that he should be denied admission because of his immigration status.
–From Maureen Downey, for the AJC Get Schooled blog
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218 comments Add your comment
JV
August 24th, 2011
4:14 pm
According to a 2010 cost study by the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), the estimated annual total of the costs related to illegal immigration that taxpayers must bear on the federal, state and local levels in $113 BILLION. Of that, $84 BILLION at state and local levels. This breaks down to approximately $1,000 per tax-paying American household. An average 27 percent of this dollar figure has to do with the administration of justice, while 16 percent are public assistance expenditures. Twenty-one percent go to medical care and an estimated seven percent support education.
Yep
August 24th, 2011
4:18 pm
Illegals should consider that we taxpayers have already funded their primary education for their deadbeat parents and really do not want to cover any additional costs beyond that. GO HOME to your native country and get a scholarship into your home countries university!!
Maureen Downey
August 24th, 2011
4:23 pm
@JMS, Good point. See change.
Thanks, Maureen
bigbadbob
August 24th, 2011
4:27 pm
Americans took the USA from the British, who had taken much of it from the French, Spanish, and Dutch, who had taken it from the “native American” tribes who happened to be in control of their piece of it at the time, who had taken it from neighboring and preceding tribes, who had taken it from whoever was there before them, going back to those who first walked over from Asia and found it empty. So, we took some of it from Mexico and the western tribes…had none of them ever taken any land from weaker tribes or countries? No apologies.
Dr. Who
August 24th, 2011
4:28 pm
“No easy answer here, but I do wish people could share their thoughts respectfully, and from the heart.”
I believe everyone here is talking from the heart just not as liberal heart as you want.
Dr. Who
August 24th, 2011
4:31 pm
Maureen, I do like your articles and writing style. When are you going to cross over from the dark side and become more conservative?
Steve
August 24th, 2011
4:42 pm
There is a legal process for becoming a citizen, contrary to earlier statements by some posters. It may not be easy, but what in life is easy?
See this State Dept. link:
http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.eb1d4c2a3e5b9ac89243c6a7543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=dd7ffe9dd4aa3210VgnVCM100000b92ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=dd7ffe9dd4aa3210VgnVCM100000b92ca60aRCRD
Ronin
August 24th, 2011
4:42 pm
@Deb Chasteen 1:05 How fortunate we are to have your peals of wisdom. Based on your statement, you favor not enforcing the law. Well, they’re only illegal immigrants.
Joe has $4,000.00 in his pocket, you pull out a weapon and threaten bodily harm to him unless he gives it to you. That’s fair, you need the money and the law should not keep you from getting what you want.
Sue says you’re obtuse. You pull out a Glock and take out both kneecaps. She had it coming as she insulted you. The law, as per your statement doesn’t matter.
Code enforcement is not some arbitrary process.
Your comment:
“I would be happy to deport any of the negative folks on this board to Mexico”, yep and if we were there illegally, we would be thrown in jail until you can prove you’re innocent or pay a hefty bond to buy your freedom.
You don’t have a clue.
Cliff
August 24th, 2011
5:04 pm
@ Mike
I am sure many people will “love” me for this, but here goes. The whole Native/African/Irish/Mexican/Hispanic/Etc. American labels irritate me. I will continue to call individuals be whatever designation they wish to be courteous, but let’s not pretend that Native Americans have any more legitimate claim to America than the European whites that invaded. Our current Native American tribes were very brutal and warlike to each other and what about the cultures that were here before? Oh yeah, the Native Americans just “evolved” from these people, no conquest there. I am horrified at what the white settlers and US government did to the Native Americans. The atrocities perpetrated by men on other men are nothing new. I’m sure the roman Empire peacefully annexed the British Isles a thousand years ago. I am mostly English-Irish so do I get eat free at Olive Garden? At what point does the past become… the past? For the Cherokee, it is 1/8. I am only documented 1/16, so I can’t open a casino. As all teachers can see, kids pay for the choices of their parents all the time. That said, there should be some way for minor children of illegal immigrants to gain legality, without benefiting the parents that broke the law. I am not smart enough to know what that is. We are a nation of laws, at least for the commoners. Rich and powerful folks have always done what they want, when they want , how they want. occasionally, some rich, power broker does goes too far and gets smacked down. The dummies that think it matters if they are Republican, or Democrat need to wake up.
Mocha Jones
August 24th, 2011
5:04 pm
“Where did I say you are a racist? You should understand the difference between racism and xenophobia”
thomas, I understand the definition of xenophobia! It is the unreasonable fear or hatred of foreigners or that which is different.
So to further clarify, I am not Xenophobic. I do not fear foreigners, in fact I welcome anyone would wishes to become a citizen of our country. I am not afraid of legal immmigrants, if so then I would move out my neighborhood and not socialize with them. I do not like illegal aliens, never have never will and I am not fearful of them.
The intent of an illegal alien that has been here well over a decade is highly suspect. The best thing they could have done to give their child a better life is to become a legal citizen of this country. They failed to do that. In that child’s upbringing, they have taught that child deceit. A child is a product of their environment and that child has grown up to be an entitled young adult.
Stop threating American citizens with hate words. Please take a look at yourself and the true reason you support illegals. It has nothing to do with compassion.
As a Black woman that was raised by both parents, has earned multiple degrees in higher education and who is raising a family together with her husband I am in the minority. You don’t need to lecture me on racism or xenophobia. In fact, I am the Democratic Party’s worst nightmare. They have done a darn good job of keeping many of my people in the dark and feeding them dung. Black America is not stupid, we are waking up and realizing we are pawns in you quest to win. Even the illegals are figuring that Obama’s promises are ringing hollow.
The DREAM Act is just that – a dream that will never become reality. WAKE UP!
Not A US Citizen
August 24th, 2011
5:14 pm
Its sad how many of you think.
I came here illegally at age of 9, my parents worked and started there own business, My parents are still illegal, yet they pay taxes, do donations and pays for 12 other US Citizens college tuition, and they ask nothing in return, just to maintain a B average. The 12 US Citizens that we help, are: 9 White, and 3 African Americans, we can not help any Latinos, because they can not get into college because of there legal status, yet we know many that graduated with 4.0 GPA.
Its not simple becoming a Citizen, We believe that everyone has the right to have an education, that is why we paid for other peoples tuition. My dad make more than 3 million dollars a year, and we do not have “papers” but it doesn’t mean that we take other peoples jobs, that we don’t pay taxes.
Please open your eyes people, its not segregation is it?
“An eye for an eye only ends up making the world blind”
If you guys have nothing positive to say, than please don’t say anything. Do not pretend that you know everything.
SAD, SAD, SAD………
God Bless You All.
Fraud Alert
August 24th, 2011
6:10 pm
“Enter your comments hereMy parents are still illegal, yet they pay taxes, do donations and pays for 12 other US Citizens college tuition, and they ask nothing in return, just to maintain a B average. The 12 US Citizens that we help, are: 9 White, and 3 African Americans, we can not help any Latinos, because they can not get into college because of there legal status, yet we know many that graduated with 4.0 GPA.”
… and the biggest LIE of all …
“My dad make more than 3 million dollars a year, and we do not have “papers” but it doesn’t mean that we take other peoples jobs, that we don’t pay taxes.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
WOW, just WOW! @ Not A US Citizen – If you are going to blog, then please tell the truth. It is sad that you have grown up to be a liar, which is just one of the many problems that we will continue to face. Liars raised by liars will grow to be bigger liars!
@Steve
August 24th, 2011
6:16 pm
I’m not an immigration lawyer, but I don’t think you’re right that there is a legal path for becoming a US citizen for a vast majority of illegals in this country (i.e., blue collar laborers, including construction workers, farm workers, etc.). The link you attach to your post is for the US naturalization test, but you can only take that test and go through other steps to become a US citizen if you have already been in this country legally for five years. And basically there is no way for most illegals to get into this country legally. The work visas that exist are essentially all for higher level jobs (not laborer jobs), and those visas are typically obtained by the employer who pays an immigration law firm to get those visas. But there are no visas available for laborers, so these people cannot ever get into this country legally in the first place. So it’s not just a matter of passing a test, or going through certain hoops. There really is no legal way for laborers to become US citizens.
Ole Guy
August 24th, 2011
6:30 pm
Doc Who, a philosopher once stated, “Do what the mind dictates; not what the heart desires”. While I can certainly appreciate your admonition to share thoughts in a respectful manner, I am not altogether sure if the gravity of illegals, and the socioeconomic burdens their presence imposes upon our economy warrant “thoughts from the heart”. Unfortunately, our lawmakers appear to be much too politically timid to approach this matter in a mindful, logical manner, for any decision would surely inflame the passsions of one voting bloc or another. The pure and simple fact, with neither prejudice nor passion, remains…illegals represent a drain upon limited resources.
That, Doc, is from the mind; not the heart.
Ole Guy
August 24th, 2011
6:48 pm
SLDKFJSLK, re 23 August, 11:36 pm: This is the Ole Guy ignoring the foolishness of an apparent looser who has absolutely nothing of substance to offer; whose confusing nom de plume makes about as much sense as those words of veiled dispair. If, sir/mam, you are unhappy with yourself, as your words seem to scream, you might find solace in the knowledge that…NO ONE GIVES A DAMN!
have a good day
Alex
August 24th, 2011
6:53 pm
better start brushing up on our spanish. . .
FYI
August 24th, 2011
7:14 pm
@ Ole Guy. I think that SLDKFJSLK, 23 August 11:36 pm, is not at all despairing or unhappy, but warning that the “anchor babies” of the presently despised illegal immigrants will be citizens in abt. 10 years and wreak vengeance on those who treated his/her parents so badly. It will be a brown America then, with a very long memory.
Many have this fear/hope. Our country is inexorably changing.
FYI
August 24th, 2011
7:17 pm
Sorry— make that “voters in abt. 15 years….”
Lee
August 24th, 2011
7:30 pm
After reading through these posts from alleged teachers who try to rationalize the illegal alien breaking our laws, it makes me understand how they can rationalize grade inflation, cheating on tests, and other unethical (and perhaps, illegal) activities.
May
August 24th, 2011
7:58 pm
I teach at an elementary school, and while I feel that most immigrant children are in many ways easier to teach (more motivated, better behaved, and at this level–feel less entitled), I also believe that our school systems are grossly over-burdened. If English isn’t spoken by their parents at home, English is considered the child’s second language. It doesn’t matter how well the child speaks English. Therefore, these children and their parents are entitled to every service (ESOL, translators, etc.) the school system can offer. Motivation to learn English is not created this way.
With that said, I would like to see our country return to an immigration policy that existed in the late 1800s and early 1900s. People were not allowed in this country unless they currently had a family member sponsor them (somewhere they could live–and someone who would financially support them until they were able to support themselves), or they already had a job in this county waiting for them. Most came through Ellis Island and were required to pass a physical examination before they were allowed on the mainland. I also believe our government had an established number of immigrants allowed in the country annually. With fewer numbers, assimilation was gradual, thus not over-burdening the country.
Government entitlements didn’t exist back then; thus, ALL people were more motivated to get a job–any job. Everything was printed in English–no translators! In order to survive in this country, ALL immigrants were very motivated to learn the language of their new country–and they were proud to do so!!
Our legislators have ruined this country by advocating “government dependence” for all. They have killed the motivation of many of the residents of this country.
I do believe illegal immigrants should be deported; they broke the law! Congress should get busy eliminating/limiting all welfare programs, particularly to non-citizens. This would definitely curtail illegal immigration. Jobs that would be vacated by illegal immigrants could then be filled by U.S. citizens. Some say U.S. citizens wouldn’t want these jobs– if the welfare programs were curtailed/eliminated, they wouldn’t have much of a choice now, would they?
Quite honestly, I’m so very tired of the “entitlement mentality” that has been created in this county (BY OUR GOVERNMENT)–somebody needs to do something about it! Get rid of entitlements, and illegal immigration will take care of itself!!!
@FYI
August 24th, 2011
8:06 pm
“warning that the “anchor babies” of the presently despised illegal immigrants will be citizens in abt. 10 years and wreak vengeance on those who treated his/her parents so badly. It will be a brown America then, with a very long memory. Many have this fear/hope. Our country is inexorably changing.”
How are these anchor babies going to prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that the birth certificate they are carrying around is real? Illegal immigrants have a nasty habit of creating and forging fake documents. If our own President can be hounded ad naseum by a group of kooks, what makes you think that illegals and or their anchor babies have any hope?
I am one of those that have recently changed my tune in regards to illegal immigrants. Threats and hate language like yours, FYI, is the main reason I changed. Your twisted logic and that of other supporters is highly suspect.
The only reason that you and a shrinking number of Americans support illegal immigration is purely political. Illegals give you a lower class of people that increases your status. Supporting illegals gives you a false sense of security that they will vote Democratic and support socialism. Or is it the conservatives ideals you simply wish to oppose?
FYI – I feel sorry for you and the hate you promote!
school observer
August 24th, 2011
8:29 pm
Illegal aliens do not have rights. It is unfortunate that children have to suffer for the mistakes of their parents. But, that is how it always been. I do think there should be a process for illegal aliens to obtain citizenship, but I am offend by their demands and their belief that they are entitled.
November 6, 2012
August 24th, 2011
8:49 pm
Maureen, I think your commenters have spoken……all illegals should be deported. Please send this “Blog Link” to the White House to let the annointed one know how “Legal American Citizens” feel…..he doesn’t seem to be getting it. Thanks!!!!!
proud liberal
August 24th, 2011
9:03 pm
I think we should just have an “open” boarder. Let whoever wants to come for legitimate purposes – work, education, vacation, etc. – come. Let the boarder patrol focus on identifying people with criminal intentions.
Intelligence
August 24th, 2011
9:16 pm
Some of you are unsympathetic idiots!!! Logistically and financially, U.S. are idiots!! We spend thousand of dollars educating non-documented students k-12. We even provide free lunch and breakfast and transportation adding up to tens of thousand if not millions. Then, at age 18, the very students we educated, we tell them to go home. Thee students look at us and say, “I am home.” Can’t you comprehend this fact? It is a lose-lose situation for America.
Reality Check
August 24th, 2011
9:32 pm
Anytime illegal immigration comes up, the statement is always made that they take the jobs no citizen will do. That is not completely true, especially in the construction industry. I know a very honest contractor who pays all the payroll taxes he is supposed to pay and follows all the codes in his state for home construction. He is being driven out of business by unscrupulous contractors who hire illegals, do not pay all the taxes on them and pay them low wages. They do not always build to code, but they say it is cheaper to use illegals and redo the few code violations an inspector may find. Construction jobs are good middle class jobs that many citizens would be thrilled to have. We need to follow the money and go after unscrupulous employers in all industries. If there were no jobs, there would be no illegal immigrants.
Jazmenique
August 24th, 2011
9:38 pm
“They’re taking away the education that we have a right to.”
No Chico, “they” is me and my fellow citizens of the United States, and you do not have a “right” to a college education @ our expense. Go through the legal process to become a citizen, than and only then will you have a “right”.
proud liberal
August 24th, 2011
9:43 pm
@ Reality,
Good point. Why not make it legal for these people to work so that unscrupulous contractors cannot abuse these people? They will then pay taxes, contributing out society even more. But, the current issue isn’t about those laborers. The issues are about their children who are already here. What good does it do to “keep them in place” by denying them opportunities to be engineers and other productive citizens? Denying these students education – and legal route to residency and work – does not solve anything.
Reality Check
August 24th, 2011
9:52 pm
@proud liberal,
The main objection I have is that it is UNFAIR to those who have been waiting in line to enter legally. That’s it; I am not racist or xenophobic or uncompassionate. I also think it is unfair to the rest of the third world who haven’t broken the law, but have pitiful stories also. WE CANNOT TAKE IN THE WHOLE THIRD WORLD, but they are coming if we do not start enforcing our borders. What is to stop them?
Reality Check
August 24th, 2011
10:04 pm
Also, I do not agree with the Dream Act, except for the part about military service. I would make an exception there. If they do a tour in the Middle East, they should earn citizenship. Please do not misread this to think I support the wars we are currently fighting. I always vote for the Presidential candidate who is the most anti-war, but I do think risking one’s life could be a path to citizenship that most Americans would support.
Chip
August 24th, 2011
10:49 pm
Where are the old Kent State guards when you need them?
sheena
August 24th, 2011
10:51 pm
In this debate about illegals and citizens, people are forgetting the legal aliens… who are here on work visas, pay higher taxes than anyone else, contribute to the community by donations and volunteer services, do not have any criminal records, and work hard to get that much covetted green card, which takes more than 10 years…. their children don’t get scholarships, they do not get medicare or medicaid, they are not eligible for any govt. sponsored benefits, even though they pay taxes. The immigration laws are indeed very unfair, even to those who do pay taxes. What’s your take on this?
Fericita
August 24th, 2011
10:59 pm
Catlady, I absolutely agree with you:
August 23rd, 2011
9:21 pm
“We should be turning over every rock looking for really smart, motivated kids, instead of the entitled, lazy citizen kids so many parents are turning out.”
Illegal immigrants are beating out American students for college? That’s impressive academic achievement! We are required by law to teach any student K – 12, and prohibited from asking about their immigration status. Why are we turning it off at college? To guarantee a sub-par work force?
We should be grateful that hardworking, intelligent people still want to come to the U.S. despite some solid efforts by our own population to destroy things.
Ole Guy
August 24th, 2011
11:54 pm
FY, I respect your view on potential downrange “costs”, however, at day’s end, the arguement of just how we, this (once) globally respected Country, are to address the illegal issue becomes pretty much a black and white (absolutely no racial overtones intended) issue…”is the current law being broken or not being broken”? We can apply this very same question to just about any law of the land. I completely understand the nature of extenuating circumstance, ie 2nd/3rd/4th generation illegal, ie “my parents/grandparents carried me, as an infant, across the Rio Grande. Why should I pay for their sins”? Many fine arguements serve to justify what is, in the end, ILLEGAL. Consequently, what was, once, the law of the land has turned into nothing short of anarchy; YOU and I and EVERYONE who expresses concern over this issue winds up paying for this anarchy; I need not elaborate on just HOW we pay…we pay.
Now, there ARE processes, ascribed by law, which allow those who choose “the easy way” to “do it right. The teeming millions did so on a lil’ ole island just outside New York when we were all just seeds, and the Country is far and away the better for it. These teeming millions CONTRIBUTED, some in big big ways; the vast majority in relatively obscure fashion.
All this being said, however, one issue must prevail: we cannot/should not form our opinions on, as one commentor put it, thoughts of the heart. Sure, we all want the very best, and we would like for everyone…the rest of the world…to share in the bounty which this Country provides.
I don’t know if you fly commercially very much…those who do might align their thoughts to the safety brief preceeding each and every flight: “In the event of loss of pressurization, don your own mask/TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF FIRST, before helping others”. The reason for this is really quite simple…if one allows one’s self to become incapacitated, one is of absolutely no help, neither to self nor to others. We, as a Country, have allowed ourselves to dangerously approach, if not become financially, economically, and morally incapacitated. We are currently in no position to be of any REAL help to the rest of the world, and until we somehow manage to get our own “ducks in a row”, pretending to “help” others by allowing them the benefits we bestow can only result in further anarchy.
ex aps teacher
August 25th, 2011
4:08 am
So here are some questions…
Georgia has some very strict anti-illegal immigrant rules now.
So will this translate to higher standard of living for Georgians in a few years? Will this translate to lower property taxes and lower state taxes for me since the assumption is that illegals were to blame for higher taxes? Will this translate to lower unemployment for Georgians??
Back in the early 1990s with a Democratic President and no wars, most Americans were fat and happy with jobs. There were illegal immigrants back then just like now.
Now that the economy is in shambles, we are wasting tons on money on wars, we have intellectually bankrupt politicians……we just need to find a scapegoat to blame this on.
So lets blame it on the illegal aliens,,specially the ones that came to the country as infants or teens. Is this the new American way?
Rick in Grayson
August 25th, 2011
5:22 am
Georgia has some very strict anti-illegal immigrant rules now.
Unfortunately, Obama and the Democrats continue to fight these anti-illegal immigrant rules. They put the interests of illegal aliens before those of US citizens that need jobs to support their families. They continue to force local taxpayers to fund the K-12 educations (and in some states they subsidize college educations) of the children of illegal aliens.
Obama and the Democrats have just put in place new policies that provide the US with an open borders immigration environment. Illegal aliens now will not be deported unless they have been convicted of a felony.
We continue these policies along with adding more legal immigrants than the number of new jobs being created in the US. All this is happening during a time of severe unemployment. Unemployment is much higher than the 10% figure stated in the news because so many US citizens have given up hope of finding a job to support their families.
We can’t even provide for our own citizens! We have a huge national deficit yet we continue with entitlement/welfare programs that are unsustainable. Since we can take care of our own citizens, why should be responsible for the citizens of other countries?
Rick in Grayson
August 25th, 2011
5:24 am
Unless we can respect and enfore the “rule of law” we are left with anarchy. Just the situation where illegal aliens declare they have the “rights” of US citizens and are entitled to anything they can get here in the US!
proud liberal
August 25th, 2011
7:01 am
@ Reality
What is “fairness”? To make everyone wait as long as the slow system can handle? Why give an exception to the military service? Is it like abortion is not murder when the baby was conceived as a result of a rape?
I’m for a much more pragmatic policy – let these students get education, become employed, and make as much money as they can make so that they can contribute as much to the society as they can instead of becoming another generation of illegal laborers who get abused by scrupulous business owners. [Of course, if they make too much money, then their Republican friend (yes, at that point those greedy no-principle politicians will want to be their friends) will make sure that they don't have to pay much tax, but I guess that's a different issue.]
Dr NO aka Mr Sunshine
August 25th, 2011
7:07 am
Deb Chasteen
August 24th, 2011
1:05 pm
Deb, relative of Harry Belafonte?
Mocha Jones, very nice, very nice indeed!
Dr NO aka Mr Sunshine
August 25th, 2011
7:09 am
“let these students get education, become employed, and make as much money as they can make so that they can contribute as much to the society”
Once they become citizens then we can proceed.
BigBob
August 25th, 2011
7:20 am
ex aps teacher: re “Back in the early 1990s with a Democratic President and no wars”, most of the economic prosperity came after the president’s and his wife’s policies proved so extremely unpopular that the Republicans were elected to the House and Senate in such great numbers that the long standing Democratic majority in Congress was finally overturned. Even then, by the end of the second term he handed over a recession to his successor. Big difference being the successor put in place policies that brought us out of the recession within a year, as opposed to the current occupant of the White House. Maybe long-term economic malaise and persistently high unemployment were the “changes” that the Socialists were talking about.
Dr NO aka Mr Sunshine
August 25th, 2011
8:08 am
Malaise…LOL, love it!
Ronin
August 25th, 2011
9:15 am
@Rick 5:22, Well said. If the incentives are removed, illegal immigration will be less of an issue.
Presently, a k-12 education is provided without proof of citizenship, I don’t agree with that policy.
ex aps teacher
August 25th, 2011
9:23 am
big bob..I see your point.
It is because of the Democrats that we are in this funk.
The GOP is the savior ,…..lets just rewrite history.
thomas
August 25th, 2011
9:44 am
@ Rick,
I am absolutely sure you always obey speed limits, never “borrowed” a pen from your work, report every single penny you earn including money you won in a frienly wager with your office co-workers, etc.
@ Mocha,
“Stop threating American citizens with hate words. Please take a look at yourself and the true reason you support illegals. It has nothing to do with compassion” Oh, tell me my reason for supporting these students? I suppose you know I think you are a racist, and you know exactly what I am thinking.
FYI
August 25th, 2011
11:01 am
@ poster at 8:06 pm, 8/24. I think you misunderstood me. “Ole Guy” at 6:30 pm had dismissed an earlier poster as confusing and “an apparent loser” full of despair and shame, and I was pointing out that this “loser” was actually looking forward to the time when the “anchor babies” had grown up and could vote.
These “anchor babies” will have American birth certificates–no questions there. There already are a lot of them, and they will have been brought up on family stories of persecution by certain political groups. Not hard to see how they’ll probably vote.
This seems like fact to me, not hate, as does the larger picture of non-white citizens becoming the majority in this country very soon.
I personally am white, and do not at all support illegal immigration because of the resulting high educational and medical costs. But I can see the way our country’s future is shaping up.
Kathy Jones
August 25th, 2011
12:33 pm
I am outraged that illigals get to “pick and choose” which of OUR Laws they adhere to. As an American citizen, if I break the Laws, I must pay the price. The parents should be held responsible for “breaking our Laws when they brought thier children here illiagally. ” Its not about any race, it’s about doing things the legal way. If I was in Mexico I would be forced to abide by thier Laws, or I can bet you I would pay the price!!!!! Kathy
Scott
August 25th, 2011
3:23 pm
Well they wouldn’t graduate from UGA, anyway, after having walked through the Arch. Good riddance
Reality Check
August 25th, 2011
3:46 pm
@Proud Liberal,
Why should we make illegals legal in order for them to take the construction jobs many of our own citizens want?
Why should we allow illegals to break line and get in front of all those who are legally waiting in line in order to immigrate?
If we allow all illegals to stay, do we take in all third world folks who would also like to attend our schools, draw welfare, and use the emergency health care system? Is there a limit to the number at all in your mind, and how will you enforce it?
Fair, to me, is that the rules apply to everyone. You know what fair is; you don’t want fair. You want favoritism for Hispanics who break the law. Why do you want favoritism for this particular group?
Reality Check
August 25th, 2011
4:09 pm
@proud liberal,
Sorry, I forgot the military exception question. I was trying to find some common ground for the two polar groups on this issue. You will never pass the Dream Act; it is a pipe dream showing favoritism to a particular group. However, military service could be a pathway to citizenship for anyone who meets the military requirements of the job. I think you could find consensus from both sides for this one.