NONE of us would be here if someone hadn't immigrated to the US. However - there are aspects that need to be considered so that people aren't here illegally - forever - living off the system. (though there are plenty that are LEGAL citizens that live off of it)

Legal immigration has been mostly helpful. But that's not where the majority of problems and issues stem from. . .the listing is strangely vague. . .

With the exception of Native Americans...we all came from somewhere else at one time or another...that is what made our country what it is...a beautiful mosaic of culture.

every person in America is an immigrant or they had an ancestor who was an immigrant. I think that others should have the same chances that we have

I have no problem with legal immigration

I do not mind if the person is legal with all forms of documents to be in this country just as I have. But a large majority of immigrants are not legalized.

Does IMMIGRATION help America? Uh...let's rewind several hundred years and ask the real Americans that question. Any Cherokees present?

we're all equal

As long as you come in to the US legal and pay taxes... all are welcome!! :)

they take most of our jobs just the illegals should get thrown out

ITS NOT BAD AND ITS NOT GOOD....BEFORE BUSH STARTED TALKING SHIT ABOUT IMMIGRANTS NO ONE SEEMED TO CARE ABOUT THEM AND THEY SEEMED HARMLESS...BUT NOW SOME AMERICANS SEE THEM AS IF THEY WERE SATAN THEMSELVES....

As long as you do it leagally. Illeagals shouldbe punished and sent back.

immigration is making our country over crowded and Americans are losing there jobs to immirgrants.

Illegal - not good. Legal - good

if they come to integrate and find their own way .......not colonize

For tax reasons, and jobs

I think people that come here helps our society and they are doing jobs that are difficult

When immigration of the WHOLE WORLD is done into ONLY ONE COUNTRY it's harmful. I mean, why can't they make their own countries work? We're desperately trying to make ours work and now, along with everything else, we've got their problems as well?

we are all immigrants here unless you are Native American

Immigration is okay to a point. Until it starts hurting everyone. Taking jobs away from Americans for instance. Or changing packaging on every product released in the country to include a foreign language. Deciding that one language is THE language for a country and then making half the country learn how to speak it or not be able to work anymore, or not be able to order food from a restaurant. I think it's very harmful.

just do it the correct way

lets open the floodgates to discrimination shall we? so if a colombian knocks on our door and a vietnamese knocks on our door, who do we let in and who do we let swim?

if they take courses to speak our NATIONAL language. sweet. if they cannot then they are not american. what italian living in italy cannot speak italian? how stupid.

what american living in america cannot speak english? probably close to half!!!

and we cannot agree- figure that!

DOES IT MATTER!? KINDA TOOO LATE FOR CONCERN.

LEGAL immigration is a good thing. Illegal immigration is not.

We need to worry about OUR people...Hell look at our country its collapsing

I think it's great that people can come to our country and make a better life for themselves and their families.

In general, I like the idea that people don't have to stay in the country they were born in if they think they can seek a better life elsewhere.

Legal immigration is ok the illlegal people need to be sent back!

Depending on who and how they got here, it can be a bit of both. :)

Originally set up to be a very good thing, but the way things are now it is hurting our country badly. As I have said before, it should be easier to come over legally and harder to get here illegally, not the other way around. It appears that our leaders in the Senate and House and our President are going to ignore the huge outcry of calls and e-mails opposing this abysmal (amnesty) bill. A band of 10,000 protestors(many of which were probobly here illegally) can make headlines, but hundreds of thousands of calls and e-mails fall on deaf ears and are called racist. You heard it here, Bush is dropping the ball on this one!!! Also, for the record, this is Ted Kennedy's bill.

When immigration is kept within bounds, it is helpful; otherwise, it is a disaster. The Roman Empire in the West collapsed because of unrestricted immigration that undermined its institutions and fundamentally changed Roman society. The new barbarian hordes substituted their languages and culture for the established Roman civilization. Eventually they chewed off parts of the empire and made their own states.

Hmmm! Does this strike a chord with anyone on the RIA?

For me it's very personal. I am an immigrant and I ended up here because I couldn't stay in my country for more than one reason. This country accepted and supported us for which I'll be eternally greatful. Immigration gives hope and fresh start for those who became unfortunate one way or another, be it war, prejudace, hunger, or anything of that matter. I don't know where I would be if i would be and at which living conditions, but I was among lucky ones to be spared. I understand about ongoing illigal immigration, and yes it's wrong, but if you could just for a second put yourselves in that person's place - what would you do? would you seek a better life or would you live in constant wonder if tomorrow will come. Think about it...

Mixed feelings on this, yes, illegal immigration is out of control. "Illegal" meaning it's a crime, and should be treated as such. But as far as legal immigration, how do we decide who gets to come into this country? Just because one person may be smarter or more educated that makes him a better candidate? A poor, uneducated man from Latin America wanting to come here so he can take care of his family is at the bottom of the list, while an educated person who's goal so he or she can make alot of money is at the top? Hardly seems fair. But as Castlebee said, only Native Americans really have a say, and possibly African Americans. Awesome weblist by the way Genghis, every listing is a powder keg issue.

The most important legacy of this theatrical debate most likely will be the mass protests staged by a minority who is increasingly becoming politically ambitious. All of the sudden, we have come to the realization that Latinos are making their voices heard throughout the country en masse. Of course, Latino's have always been coming here. In fact, in some parts of the country like New Mexico, they were here before Anglos were. In some cities like Miami, they have sought and gotten large amounts of economic and political power. In fact, Miami is arguably the capital of Latin America, for here we have every nationality in the region represented. Hispanics in fact represent a solid majority of the population. Nationally however, Latinos have been much less influential. Over the past few months, the social landscape has been rocked. On April 10, almost a million people marched in cities like LA, Dallas, Miami, Washington DC and New York. The fact that there were more fully enfranchised Latinos marching against legislation that goes against their people's interests is what makes these events so significant. Many Latino's living in this country lacked citizenship and therefore a voice in our political affairs, but that is changing as well. The bottom line goes back to demography. It does not matter whether or not we build a Great Wall along the US-Mexican border, Hispanics will continue to become more politically stronger. Why? Simply put, they are on average younger and very socially ambitious. Of course, there are economists who acknowledge that Hispanic, primary Mexican and Central American, has depressed wages for low skilled workers, much to the detriment of Anglo and black workers. Most estimates however indicate that immigration doesn't really have an effect on wages. Of course, there is the free rider dilemma of illegal immigrants putting an excessive burden on our public infrastructure, which are paid for by US citizens who pay taxes. That is the economic/political problem that has to be addressed. How can the government fix this problem? I suggest we increase legal immigration. It's clear that restricting them from coming here hasn't really helped. America has a very rich labor market. Removal of work restrictions would increase the immigrants contribution to the economy by keeping their work legal. This will mean that they will need to rely less on the government, while increasing the chance that they will fall under US labor standards, which in general are higher than in many Latin American countries. But the question isn't entirely economic; it is also a cultural one. People fear that Latinos are beginning to get more powerful. There is a fear that their language, culture and customs, which aren't really that different from Anglo traditions when you really analyze it, will water down the concept of what it means to be an American. Whether or not Latino's are planning on staying here or if they're just temp workers, many are learning how to speak English. However, they're also keeping Spanish as a primary language. Spanish is becoming the second language of the US, and that is very intimidating to many people. Some argue that unchecked immigration is bringing with it certain cultural values that are largely alien to the concept of America as an Anglo-Saxon nation. But this ignores the fact that America is defined by more than just the English population. In fact, America was defined by waves of immigration going back to the discovery of the New World, most of which did not consist of English immigrants. This country in the past has proven that an inclusive attitude, along with the ability to adapt to change are the keys to a diverse and pluralistic society. So why should we all the sudden deny this very important part of our heritage? Whether or not you like it, we will have to face the reality that Anglo's within the next fifty years may be a minority here in America. In California and New York, they already are in the minority. If this trend continues, other states like Arizona and Florida will follow suit very soon. This is reality, especially in an increasingly globalized society where labor, resources and capital travel very fast throughout the world. More than anything else, the main engine behind the immigration debate is globalization. Society is changing fast, and will continue to do so.

Please...save the Mayflower heart string pulling crap for PBS. This is not the 16th century anymore. I agree with tboneya whole-heartedly. The USA needs a massive influx of educated immigrants to fill the ever increasing void of professionals (ie. doctors, nurses, engineers, etc), but that's not what we're getting. Since 9/11 the US has virtually put an end to legal immigration, so, now, it's illegal immgiration that rules the day. As such, I am tired of hearing about the "they will do the jobs the Americans WON'T do" garbage. Sure, they will pick oranges for two bucks an hour, but that's not thier fault....it's the orange growers fault. If they were forced to pay a wage that allowed Americans to make a living IN America then it would be moot. Instead, all we are getting is all the bottom-of-the-barrel, nothing-to-lose, scumbags. Until we can better control our borders, lock up your kids and put the car in the garage...or neither will be there tomorrow.

The only group who can gripe about this one with any true sense of righteousness are Native Americans. I'll give it a four because some imports have contributed while others have been less than excellent additions to the population...and I'm thinking of individuals - not groups.

Immigration can be very beneficial,both for society and for those who immigrate.However,no country wants to have the worst citizens of other countries deposited on their shores.Immigration should not be available to hardened criminals:each country should be stuck with its own abject failures.I'm not speaking of people arrested for victimles crimes,but of violent offenders-rapists,pedophiles,kidnappers,thugs and thieves.

For everyone here (in America), somewhere down the line, our ancestors were immigrants. For me, it's just the past generation that made the move. But that doesn't make me any more or less of an American than anyone else here.

Where would our country be without immigration? The current crop of immigrants help our country by performing jobs that other Americans are too lazy or unmotivated to do. Immigrants in the past have done the same thing, and enabled their offspring to become acclimated to American society.