Bridges Loc: Memphis, Charleston SC, now Nazareth PA

We defeated Germany and helped to rebuild it into a World power, We defeated Japan and helped rebuild it into a World power. We spend billions on billions to rebuild and prop up countries, yet what have we done for the "Banana Republics"? We have taken their labor and resources and not given them back an equitable return.

While I am against illegal immigration, we need to understand where and why it is as it is. We need to modify our controls so that we can deal with the immigration problem in a positive manner.

If we need to, why not set up a city near the border to house immigrants for six months to a year? During this time we would do due diligence to ensure their status and determine if they should be allowed citizenship. This would not be a free ride. They would be required to learn some English, understand our laws and Constitution, and learn a skill that would be marketable in the US. They also would receive minimal assistance and be required to work within the temporary community as laborers, cleaners, and anything else that would assist in their upkeep. When they are properly vetted, but before they have completed the other requirements they could receive work visas and be allowed to leave the immigration city for work only.

Some may ask why the requirements when people from Africa, Europe, and Asia do not have to go through such scrutiny and training - I'm talking about illegals. I do not endorse our present policy of just letting anyone into the country. They need to meet specific requirements and if they do not, they should be quarantined until a determination of their worth to our society can be established.

Don't be fooled, we need immigration -- the legal kind. Three and a half million Americans die off each year and while the birthrate is very slightly higher, I expect that to change in the next ten to twenty years as the baby-boom generation dies off. The birthrate in the US is in a constant decline (with a slight bump up in 2020, most likely due to COVID-19 and people staying in more). Without immigration, we will be a diminishing society.

Triple G

Right on. Let's be smart, practical and efficient at bringing in the people who are needed. Any of us could end up in a SNF where migrants will be our main source of food, exercise, bathing, medications and human contact.

dadaist

You have hit the nail on the head!! In addition to your thoughts: Birthrates in Japan became so low that if "outsiders" were not brought into the country, then Japan could not properly function. Same thing in Great Britain-birthrate down-they brought in immigrants. So, in the USA, if we continue with the decline in birthrates, where will the money come from to fund future generations when they reach retirement age? We need vetted immigrants put to work earning a living and contributing to their future and that of the economy. With inflation way up, the new retirement age may creep up to 75 years, moving forward in time. I wish Congress would take its head out of the sand.

Effate Loc: El Dorado Hills, Ca.

Oooh, don’t dare talk about adjusting retirement age for social security or Medicare for younger contributors to an age more in line with modern actuaries. That is forbidden fruit, 34 trillion and climbing!

srg

A sensible post.
When you get a leak in your roof you should be grateful for those descendants of the original inhabitants of both North and South America. While you enjoy a plethora of foods picked by them.

Effate Loc: El Dorado Hills, Ca.

That city would be the second largest city in Mexico (only slightly behind Mexico City). Who would govern it, the Sinaloa, Gulf or Los Zetas?

Effate Loc: El Dorado Hills, Ca.

Obviously we have a need but I worked in the fields along side Braceros evert summer I was in high school (once I got my work permit @15). I get tired of hearing about the jobs lazy assed Americans won’t do.

dadaist

That's called "normal bitching". Same as what was complained about while in the
Military-KP, Guard duty, etc. Same was true of Europeans coming into the Country 100+ years ago: Sweat shops, working in the fields, etc. Normal bitching, BUT HAPPY TO BE HERE IN AMERICA!

Effate Loc: El Dorado Hills, Ca.

There may have been bitching but we did the work which is much different than today.

dadaist

What we did as kids: the work, the wages, the penny pinching to get by, etc. younger people of the present generation can neither comprehend or believe. Every generation wants to make it "easier" for their children (understandable), however, something gets lost in the process.

Effate Loc: El Dorado Hills, Ca.

True and many of those children grow with that sense of entitlement tattooed on their forehead.

DennyT Loc: Central Missouri woods

You do know that 70% of the Mexican. Criminal gang’s gins come from America.
We export guns and Mexico exports those that suffer our guns.

Effate Loc: El Dorado Hills, Ca.

Maybe but hopefully our Department of Justice isn’t selling them to the cartels anymore! That should also be an indictment on how easily cartel members can move bodies, members and drugs and guns across the border.

DennyT Loc: Central Missouri woods

Don’t try to pivot away to something over a decade ago !!

TODAY the Mexican gangs get 70% of their guns from America. And when
They come here to escape the gun caused violence and death and only want a job and don’t complain about hard work we bitch ,

Effate Loc: El Dorado Hills, Ca.

Pivot? Who changed the conversation to guns and cartels? “You better check yo’ self, before you wreck yo’ self” (Ice Cube). The cartels operate, with impunity, on both sides of the border. Example: https://www.reuters.com/world/us/arrests-made-killings-6-people-found-slain-california-desert-2024-01-29/