Illegal immigration

Post by **SonomaCat** » Wed Mar 15, 2006 2:48 pm

A somewhat different spin on the usual discussion:

http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f ... HOC5B1.DTL

Barney · Post by **Barney** » Fri Mar 17, 2006 10:27 am

They ask "If we deport all of the illegal immagrants who will work in our kitchens and construction industry?" How about the people who are able to work but just sit on their a**'s and collect welfare. Just a thought. I guess I am not one to talk since I am unemployed and drink at Moe's all day.

Post by **SonomaCat** » Fri Mar 17, 2006 10:42 am

Barney wrote:They ask "If we deport all of the illegal immagrants who will work in our kitchens and construction industry?" How about the people who are able to work but just sit on their a**'s and collect welfare. Just a thought. I guess I am not one to talk since I am unemployed and drink at Moe's all day.

So would you say that ONLY the ones who collect welfare should be deported, and the ones that work should be able to stay? If so, I think almost every immigrant group would agree with you. Contrary to stereotype, nearly all of these immigrants DO work -- they just aren't taxed because they are illegal and can't legally pay taxes.

So if we changed the system to allow them to work legally, we could collect taxes from them, and they wouldn't have to live their (often miserable) lives worrying about being deported as they struggle to support their families.

At the same time, if there are situations where it is possible to collect welfare while illegal (which I doubt happens all that often, as most illegals are afraid to even have any contact with government officials for fear of being deported), then those loopholes should be shut down at the same time our immigration rules are changed to allow them to work here legally.

If you have spent much time around immigrants, particularly Mexican immigrants, you know that they are a very hard working group that have come here to earn money to support their families. None of us would even consider doing the work they risk their lives to get, and I don't envy them in the slightest ... even though my ancestors immigrated here first.

Barney · Post by **Barney** » Fri Mar 17, 2006 10:58 am

I have spent a good amount of time around immigrants since my wife and her family immigrated here when she was twelve. I agree that most are hard working. The main thing that I thought was funny is that there are so many lazy AMERICANS that sit on their duff (no not the beer) and collect a check when they are fully capable of working. We should pull welfare for these people and make them earn their money.

Hello Kitty · Post by **Hello Kitty** » Fri Mar 17, 2006 12:46 pm

Let me try and dispel a few welfare myths at least in Montana

A person cannot receive welfare (cash assistance) unless they are taking care their dependent children (living in there home) And they can only receive welfare for 60 months. The amount of money they receive is equivalent to $3.00 an hour. And they also have to meet an income guideline.

A person can receive food stamps for 3 months in a three year time span without meeting some exemption such as working 20 hours a week, over 50 years old, caring for a child under 6, participating in a regular treatment program etc. The most any one person can receive is $152.00 of food stamps a month. If they have earnings their benefits decrease unless they are paying rent in which it is not dollar for dollar but may help them get up to the $152.00 again.

A person cannot receive any medical assistance from the state of Montana unless they are pregnant, disabled by social security or over 65 or a child within certain income guidelines.

I don’t know but being on welfare is not all that people think it is. It is meant as a supplement and cannot really be lived one forever.

that is my $.02

Post by **SonomaCat** » Fri Mar 17, 2006 12:55 pm

Thanks, Hello Kitty. I was wondering about those kinds of rules -- you beat me to my question with an answer! Is it true that many of these rules are a result of the welfare reform bill that was passed in the 90s? From what I have read, it was very successful in getting people off of welfare and into jobs, and that we've even seen a drop in unmarried birth rates as well.

I was a huge proponent of that legislation when it came through, and even though some people (mostly on the left) said it was unfair, it's very hard to find many (rational) critics who have much bad to say about how it has turned out.

Post by **SonomaCat** » Fri Mar 17, 2006 12:58 pm

Barney wrote:I have spent a good amount of time around immigrants since my wife and her family immigrated here when she was twelve. I agree that most are hard working. The main thing that I thought was funny is that there are so many lazy AMERICANS that sit on their duff (no not the beer) and collect a check when they are fully capable of working. We should pull welfare for these people and make them earn their money.

Oh, I thought that you were specifically speaking to immigrants with that comment. It sounds like we are actually on the exact same page on this issue.

Hello Kitty · Post by **Hello Kitty** » Fri Mar 17, 2006 1:01 pm

Bay Area Cat wrote:Thanks, Hello Kitty. I was wondering about those kinds of rules -- you beat me to my question with an answer! Is it true that many of these rules are a result of the welfare reform bill that was passed in the 90s? From what I have read, it was very successful in getting people off of welfare and into jobs, and that we've even seen a drop in unmarried birth rates as well.

I was a huge proponent of that legislation when it came through, and even though some people (mostly on the left) said it was unfair, it's very hard to find many (rational) critics who have much bad to say about how it has turned out.

yes the reform has stopped welfare from being a way of life and instead is the to assist people. Although some people can work the system to stay on food stamps but the guidlines are low. Most people would just rather work. For exemple the gross monthly income limit for food stamps household size of one is $1,037.
Would you rather receive $152 a month in food stamps of gross over 1,037. Not that hard of a choice.