random illegal immigration question

[Arthwys]

Ok.  Someone please explain.
 
 This article in the Post has me quite confused.  "Immigrants feel less welcome in Frederick".  They have quotes from various "mexican born" residents of Frederick county, one of whom says they worry about running into the police.  None of those quoted are termed as either legal or illegal immigrants.  Why should one be afraid of police if you're here legally, have proper ID in your wallet just like everyone else?  And why would you as a legal Immigrant feel any less welcome?  It's only those here illegally that are in for any trouble.  Those that are here illegally should know that by being here they run the risk every day of arrest, deportation and the break up of their families.  I realize they are here trying to find something much better than what they left.  But it's a concious choice they made when crossing the border.  They chose to gamble, and some will lose.
 
 Apologies for the random rant.
 
 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/05/AR2008050502405.html?hpid=topnews

[thirsty moore]

Of course none of them quoted would call themselves legal or illegal.  That would be an open invite US Immigration.
 
 They might be afraid of the police because they have seen what has happened to their friends or family.
 
   

Originally posted by Arthwys:
 None of those quoted are termed as either legal or illegal immigrants.  Why should one be afraid of police if you're here legally, have proper ID in your wallet just like everyone else?  And why would you as a legal Immigrant feel any less welcome?

[Arthwys]

You mean the friends and family that were illegal? This article didn't mention anything like legal residents being detained or fined or "roughed up" or anything.  
 
 And yeah, I realize that they wouldn't give their names and put "illegal resident" next to them.  But to make this article more informative I'd rather they'd have quoted illegal residents anonymously, though I guess getting someone to admit that and then be interviewed would be quite difficult.

[godsshoeshine]

if i was questioned by police simply because of how i look, i would not feel welcome either

[sweetcell]

Originally posted by god's shoeshine:
  if i was questioned by police simply because of how i look, i would not feel welcome either

bingo.
 
 profiling not dead.

[Brian_Wallace]

Originally posted by sweetcell:
   

Originally posted by god's shoeshine:
  if i was questioned by police simply because of how i look, i would not feel welcome either

bingo.
 
 profiling not dead. [/b]

Yes, but to hope and wish for a situation in 2008 where profiling is not used is incredibly naive.  It's an unfair but necessary evil.
 
 Brian

[xneverwherex]

Many Mexican immigrants (legal or illegal) do not speak English as a first language. Imagine being accosted by police, not really knowing your rights, etc. Im pretty sure youre not mirandized in Spanish.
 
 If you want to see a fascinating documentary on just how well our justice system works - watch 'My Life Inside'. Mi vida dentro

[El Jefe Design]

Yeah, my wife and her family are of Cuban heritage and so is our day care provider for our baby. They get stopped every so often to be asked if they are citizens, etc... Not only from cops but from people walking down the street.
 
 We also live near a day worker site in Montgomery County and it has gotten weird on some nights. When it first opened we got letters on our door saying we need to fight to keep Mexicans out (not undocumented workers mind you) and not allow day workers in the area. The terminology used in the fliers was unnerving as they seemed they wanted to violently carry out their mission. On top of that, a week later we are driving by the site and cops are everywhere chasing people off as it looked like a huge riot just happened. The fliers were from some group called Save Maryland.

[manimtired]

stupid laws  :roll:

[nkotb]

I generally like to give everyone on this board the benefit of the doubt, but you're making it to tough.
 
 Maybe you missed the posts above about LEGAL citizens with limited English skills being profiled and strong-armed for simply not being white?  Or am I missing some law where we force everyone to learn the language or get out?
 
 

Originally posted by manimtired:
  stupid laws   :roll:  

[vansmack]

Originally posted by manimtired:
  stupid laws   :roll:  

Yeah, like the Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments....

[Arthwys]

Perhaps I'm being a touch naive about all of this, but the way I see it...
 
 profiling: a reality yes, a necessity? harder to say
 
 broad sweeping generalizations by either side:  outright wrong
 
 
 You've got the liberals never addressing just "illegal immigration" only gushing over people seeming to hate on "immigrants".  That's just stupid.
 
 But on the other hand, perhaps that comes from the stupidity of some conservatives, who generalize by saying "let's kick out the mexicans"  when oodles of them are here perfectly legally, and in fact, most of the American southwest was Mexico before it was th US, so oodles of ethnic Mexicans ended up here without budging an inch!
 
 I guess all I'm trying to say is, everyone lighten up.  That means cops and authorities, figure out a way to crack down on illegal immigration w/o harassing every brown person you see.  Legal immigrants, realize that America isn't perfect and your toes are going to be stepped on for a few generations until everything blends in a bit more.
 
 But then, most of this is probably just wishful thinking.

[Frank Gallagher]

Originally posted by god's shoeshine:
  if i was questioned by police simply because of how i look, i would not feel welcome either

And if you are here illegally you shouldn't be made to feel welcome.
 
 
 When I was going to concerts or sporting events 3-4 times per week I would be 'randomly' chosen for a search before I went inside about 90% of the time. I know it was for the way I look. Get over it it's no big deal.
 
 As a naturalized citizen I probably take exception to illegals more than others. What makes them think they have the right to just show up, with no respect for the laws and customs of their chosen host country, then get free medical treatment, drive around without auto insurance and have their kids go to school at our expense? I know that is probably a small minority of illegals and most just want to keep under the radar, but that doesn't make them any less illegal.
 
 I'm all for people trying to find a better life for their family, just do it legally is all I ask.
 
 I was in Miami on Sunday and went into a Wholefoods. I ordered a cup of coffee (mocha actually) but the assistant couldn't speak English so asked me if I spoke spanish (espanyol??) I said sorry no. She got all pissed off at me because I couldn't speak spanish...in AMERICA then refused to help me. WHAT THE FUCK??!!! I'd heard of stories like that down in Miami but this was the first time I'd experienced it personally. I was going to learn spanish because you kind of need it down here, but after that I just want to dig my heels in and refuse to.
 
 I tell that story because I feel strongly that if you want to live in America it should be a requirement to learn English. Bilingual countries don't work....do they Canada eh??
 
 BTW - not all illegals have black hair dark skin and speak spanish by the way.

[vansmack]

Dude.  You drink Mocha?
 
 Puss.

[lagas]

Originally posted by 47 YEAR OLD VIRGIN:
   

Originally posted by god's shoeshine:
  if i was questioned by police simply because of how i look, i would not feel welcome either

And if you are here illegally you shouldn't be made to feel welcome.
 
 
 When I was going to concerts or sporting events 3-4 times per week I would be 'randomly' chosen for a search before I went inside about 90% of the time. I know it was for the way I look. Get over it it's no big deal.
 
 As a naturalized citizen I probably take exception to illegals more than others. What makes them think they have the right to just show up, with no respect for the laws and customs of their chosen host country, then get free medical treatment, drive around without auto insurance and have their kids go to school at our expense? I know that is probably a small minority of illegals and most just want to keep under the radar, but that doesn't make them any less illegal.
 
 I'm all for people trying to find a better life for their family, just do it legally is all I ask.
 
 I was in Miami on Sunday and went into a Wholefoods. I ordered a cup of coffee (mocha actually) but the assistant couldn't speak English so asked me if I spoke spanish (espanyol??) I said sorry no. She got all pissed off at me because I couldn't speak spanish...in AMERICA then refused to help me. WHAT THE FUCK??!!! I'd heard of stories like that down in Miami but this was the first time I'd experienced it personally. I was going to learn spanish because you kind of need it down here, but after that I just want to dig my heels in and refuse to.
 
 I tell that story because I feel strongly that if you want to live in America it should be a requirement to learn English. Bilingual countries don't work....do they Canada eh??
 
 BTW - not all illegals have black hair dark skin and speak spanish by the way. [/b]

If you want I can help with a few tips on how to ask a mocha to a Spanish only speaking person
 
 repeat after me: "me da un mocha por favor?"