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Are Student Walkouts Protesting Immigration Reform Effective
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T O P I C
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Discussion Started: 04-19-2006, 12:42 PM
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Thousands of students in Colorado, and many more across the country, have walked out of class to voice their concerns over immigration reform.
They say their families will be broken up if lawmakers pass laws that will force all illegal immigrants to be deported.
Do you think the walkouts are effective?
How does illegal immigration affect you? What type of immigration policy would you like to see passed?
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View Messages: [newest first] | [oldest first]
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mmader
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05-18-2006, 4:18 PM
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The following is from a director with Southwestern Bell living in Mexico City: I spent five years working in Mexico. I worked under a tourist visa for three months and could legally renew it for three more months. After that you were working illegally. I was technically illegal for three weeks waiting on the FM3 approval. During that six months our Mexican and US attorneys were working to secure a permanent work visa called an FM3. It was in addition to my US passport that I had to show each time I entered and left the country. Barbara's was the same except hers did not permit her to work. To apply for the FM3 I needed to submit the following notarized originals (not copies) of my: 1. Birth certificates for Barbara and me. 2. Marriage certificate. 3. High school transcripts and proof of graduation. 4. College transcripts for every college I attended and proof of graduation. 5. Two letters of recommendation from supervisors I had worked for at least one year. 6. A letter from The St. Louis Chief of Police indicating I had no arrest record in the US and no outstanding warrants and was "a citizen in good standing." 7. Finally; I had to write a letter about myself that clearly stated why there was no Mexican citizen with my skills and why my skills were important to Mexico. We called it our "I am the greatest person on earth" letter. It was fun to write. All of the above were in English that had to be translated into Spanish and be certified as legal translations and our signatures notarized. It produced a folder about 1.5 inches thick with English on the left side and Spanish on the right. Once they were completed Barbara and I spent about five hours accompanied by a Mexican attorney touring Mexican government office locations and being photographed and fingerprinted at least three times. At each location (and we remember at least four locations) we were instructed on Mexican tax, labor, housing, and criminal law and that we were required to obey their laws or face the consequences. We could not protest any of the government's actions or we would be committing a felony. We paid out four thousand dollars in fees and bribes to complete the process. When this was done we could legally bring in our household goods that were held by US customs in Laredo Texas. This meant we rented furniture in Mexico while awaiting our goods. There were extensive fees involved here that the company paid. We could not buy a home and were required to rent at very high rates and under contract and compliance with Mexican law. We were required to get a Mexican drivers license. This was an amazing process. The company arranged for the licensing agency to come to our headquarters location with their photography and finger print equipment and the laminating machine. We showed our US license, were photographed and fingerprinted again and issued the license instantly after paying out a six dollar fee. We did not take a written or driving test and never received instructions on the rules of the road. Our only instruction was never give a policeman your license if stopped and asked. We were instructed to hold it against the inside window away from his grasp. If he got his hands on it you would have to pay ransom to get it back. We then had to pay and file Mexican income tax annually using the number of our FM3 as our ID number. The company's Mexican accountants did this for us and we just signed what they prepared. I was about twenty legal-size pages annually. The FM 3 was good for three years and renewable for two more after paying more fees. Leaving the country meant turning in the FM 3 and certifying we were leaving no debts behind and no outstanding legal affairs (warrants, tickets or liens) before our household goods were released to customs. It was a real adventure and If any of our senators or congressmen went through it once they would have a different attitude toward Mexico. The Mexican Government uses its vast military and police forces to keep its citizens intimidated and compliant. They never protest at their White House or government offices but do protest daily in front of the United States Embassy. The US embassy looks like a strongly reinforced fortress and during most protests the Mexican Military surround the block with their men standing shoulder to shoulder in full riot gear to protect the Embassy. These protests are never shown on US or Mexican TV. There is a large public park across the street where they do their protesting. Anything can cause a protest such as proposed law changes in California or Texas. Please feel free to share this with everyone who thinks we are being too hard on illegal immigrants.
M Mader
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KSanchez
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05-09-2006, 2:37 PM
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Hey Colorado Tr, I was just curious what is the 28% you are referring to when you say it is given to illegal immigrants? Most of the immigrants I have ever seen or known are earning what they have and if they are working under false names guess what, they do pay taxes and they don?t get any of it back. Oh and I am a student and I would be willing to give up some of my money to help someone who is hey Colorado Tr, I was just curious what is the 28% you are referring to when you say it is given to illegal immigrants? Most of the immigrants I have ever seen or known are earning what they have and if they are working under false names guess what, they do pay taxes and they don?t get any of it back. Oh and I am a student and I would be willing to give up some of my money to help someone who is less fortunate than me, who is trying to get ahead in life. If you are referring to people who get government assistance lets not be ignorant and see that there are a lot of others (not just Latinos) who get assistance, they sit around doing nothing except spend your money as you say. Guess who some of the most hardworking people are, that?s right illegal immigrants who are taken advantage of on a daily bases. As a student I walk out because of what I believe not to join a crowd!!
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coloradotr
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05-05-2006, 11:42 AM
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Students don't understand the issues and I agree with the previous folks that they just want to be part of the crowd and get out of school. If students were required to give up 28% of everything they earned, allowances included, and just give it away to an illegal, then perhaps they would understand. Illegals do not pay taxes, so our tax dollars, that LEGAL residents pay, pay for them to have a free ride. I don't know any teenagers that want to give away 28% of everything they earn, as a teenager, I wouldn't!!
Sincerely, TLR
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Meddygpwy
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05-02-2006, 12:29 AM
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Effective for whom? Most students want a free day from school no matter the reason, walkouts generaly hurt everyone more than they help. If you want an education stay in school, if you don't want an education don't go to school. Walkouts only work if they are used during a fire drill
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EmmieM
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05-01-2006, 8:23 PM
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Student Walkouts might just be the most ineffective way to protest immigration reform. If anything, it is making some Americans more outraged! Students belong in school, learning about the issues, not taking to the streets protesting when they know no more about the issue than what the media tells them! Just as well, student walkouts are a massive distraction in class. As a high school student, I have seen that the teachers are irritated and my classmates are hoping that enough students will be absent that they too can use it as an excuse to get out of class (which their parents shouldn't allow anyways). Tension is building between students as well, and class discussions turn from trigonometric functions to illegal immigration and what the Hispanic student population is saying! Besides, many of the students that are walking out have rightful, legal positions in the community and have as much of an obligation as any naturalized student citizens to remain in class and learn. What are my parents paying taxes for, if they don't? And for those who are illegal in the U.S., if they are here for new and better opportunities, then why are their parents even allowing that they get out of class to protest, when students, much less illegal immigrant students have a very small say in the higher government? And, as a result of their illicit presence in the U.S., they don't have the right to demand such conditions!!
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JulReg
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05-01-2006, 7:00 PM
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There is no free education. The students who walked out were disrespecting the education. Those who are the children of illegal aliens are receiving their education from people who are legal residents and pay TAXES. Those who are illegal do not file income tax returns, as they would then be deported, not being legal! All other immigrants who came to this country had to be legal immigrants. The students need civics lessons, and the schools and parents should be teaching them how things work in this country so they can truly appreciate it. Back to school, kids! You have missed enough class!
Bless all who read this, American Marrieds
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greeneyes14
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05-01-2006, 12:30 PM
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I think so if they are with there parents only. I don't think they should be alone.
Thx Maria
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MrsPiddler
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05-01-2006, 12:25 PM
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It seems that the students are walking out of school but where are the parents? Many of the students are legal and the parents are not. I think this country needs to see what the parents think but are afraid because they are illegal. Become legal and you can have a say in what is going on. All Americans have families that crossed Ellis Island to become free and they did it legally. I realize that we have a greater population now, but why do illegals come only to America? Is it to get our benefits and jobs, to live with three or four families to be able to survive which is not the American way of living. Maybe if the government would raise the wage, we would not have to have so many illegals do jobs which Americans can not take in order to support their families. Become an American, support our consitution and speak English which this country was founded on. Maybe the students can provide they are American is by having their parents stand strong with them.
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AshleeLP
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05-01-2006, 11:06 AM
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I am impressed with these young people/ student's being active regading this issue of illegal immigrants. They are not being obnoxious teenagers, but a human rights activists. I am bewildered by America's lack of compassion for these illegal immigrants. I feel as though when people are discussing them, they, the Americans, make the illegal immigrants sound like they are these green alians that we need protection from. What blows my mind is that, the Mexicans are suffering from pouverty, risking their lives to come to U.S. for a better life for their familes. While America, people are dying of over indulgence. The imbalance of resources between these two nations is remarkable. There should be an open immigration. I know this sounds radical, however, I hear Americans speaking of world peace, and when a small piece of that opportunity is in our face, we don't want to share? Are we a country to hypocrets? and how is that this country, with large percentage of Christians could lack such compassion. Let's start thinking about a Wolrd Peace, and how we can take steps toward a world where all people are safe, protected, and food is available to all. Let compassion than money help us to make decisions regarding human beings. Let's share, and stop being selfish when we have so much in this country.
Sincerely, Ashlee Park
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Skyrokhet
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04-22-2006, 5:55 PM
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I have issues with illegalsmost of what we have to deal with are Mexicans. They don't want to live hear and be an US citizen, they only want to sponge off of us that pay taxes so they can send their money to Mexico. What taxes do they pay? None. What do they expect? Everything. I hate being forced to learn Espanol so I can work and deal with these people. Knowing a different language is great, being forced to learn it because people coming into this country will not learn English is not right. The kids that walked out were being teenagers...stupid. It is amazing that those of us who are over 30 are still alive. The walkout was probably provoked by some teachers who never grew up and still are in the 1960's or 1970's. When I go to a foreign country I pray that I can communicate, but I do not expect every one to speak fluent English, why should we support people that will not learn our language.
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