I know if I lived in Mexico, and feared for my children's lives, I would probably do anything to go somewhere safer. In addition, most people want to provide their children with the necessities of life and opportunities that don't exist everywhere. Our country was started with immigrants.

Had the true Native Americans been as bigoted as the average Alabama voter none of us would be here today. It's so easy when we're in the majority to forget what got us where we are today. We in Alabama have traditionally been prejudiced. Alabama is a symbol for this kind of warped thinking.We have a church on every corner and yet we no more love our fellow human beings than we do snakes. We justify it by saying immigrants are taking our jobs, welfare benefits, and are criminals by being here. We are a hypocritical and self-righteous lot. But we are slowly changing for the better and I intend to stay in the state where i have lived my entire life; the state that has been so good to me and try to make a small difference by encouraging change.

Alcohol=Increased Dui

Drugs = Increase Theft

Illegal Mexicans=Increased Prosperity?

What a refreshing twist.

DD - some of us have a problem with the issue because they are here illegally! I would love a Land Rover but I can't steal one and expect people to respect me for my decisions. If our system for becoming a legal citizen is broken then let us find a way to fix it. But please quit calling us bigots and intolerant because we do not support something that is illegal.

Illegal aliens will soon recieve amnesty (a rose by any other name...) and we all knew that would happen when obama was re-elected.Their birth rate to unwed mothers is over 50%.Soon they will catch up with the blacks whose out of wedlock birth rate is over 70%.They've learned how to work the system and get as much as they can for free.There is NO way the majority of these illegals will ever come close to paying their own way through taxes.The fact is they do not bring prosperity.They are just another group of people taxpayers will be responsible for.It is what it is and it's time to move on.But, don't distort the facts.Legalizing 11 million plus illegals doesn't bring prosperity.It brings more poverty and increased entitlrments.

The "path to citizenship," as it is called, is nothing more than a democrat party voter drive.

I consider myself to be very liberal in general, although on this issue I vehemently disagree with the "liberal" stance. I understand why so many Mexicans have come to this country, and while I don't blame them for wanting to better the lives of their families, I believe that allowing them to obtain citizenship is a huge slap in the face to every immigrant, both past and present, who waiting and hoped and dreamed and came to this country legally.

I don't place the blame with them, I place the blame on our lax borders and our inability swiftly return them to their country once they were here. Unfortunately the proposed path to citizenship is just about the only solution at this point, but no, I don't like it.

While I'm not a bigot by any means, I have not seen how, since large amounts of Hispanics have came to Decatur, this has been a positive thing for our city. Look at our school test scores, go to the ER, look at our poverty levels-they have all been affected in a negative way.

While a Hispanic family may have a hard-working father, chances are, if he's here illegally, he makes a low wage. More than likely, this family has more than one child. So while the man is working and paying taxes, his 3 children are getting free school lunches, free health care (which is more than I have as a legal adult US citizen), and food stamps for their children. The payout of which far outweighs the benefits of his labors. This is not good for our country as a whole.

If we as a nation truly wanted to help these people, we could quit supporting businesses that have relocated their plants there to take advantage of cheap labor, and our government could work with the Mexican government to help them establish a fair minimum wage for their people and help rid their country of the drug cartels.

Taking more and more illegal immigrants into our country and supporting them while legal US residents live in poverty is not a solution, nor is it fair to our fellow countrymen.

Illegls isn't the only reason. It is our government tells them to come and how to get total benefits ane what kinds. Americans have to fight just to get wic for their children. How is this possible in a land that welcomes illegals.

I do not forget that we all came from immigrant ancestors. They also came legally. Didn't take handouts. Didn't drain the system and worked. Paid taxes. Made a great America that we enjoy today. That is what we should remember, they sacrificed a lot to come here also. Didn't protest but worked together. Today, they are out to get what the government makes it easy for them to get. No, not all of them. Oh yeah, the earlier immigrants made an effort to learn ENGLISH. Wow isn't that amazing. Yes, we were built by immigrants. They were legals. We have to get back to common reasoning and sense to make this country great again. Working togeather. We can do it. Put racism to rest forever. We are all humans.

Some of you complained because the Mexicans were here illegally. Now both parties agree on a way to make them legal. What is your reason now for hating Mexicans?

Lori, what is your argument going to be when the illegals become legal? That's what you're asking for and that's what your Republican reps are proposing. You'll have to find another excuse to hate the Mexicans. Go to Fox News they'll come up with a new reason to hate that'll allow you to continue.

Joe,I don't hate illegals.BTW they are not all Mexicans.I'm simply responding to this editorial that on the whole is totally silly.To say 11 million unskilled workers is a big plus for Decatur or the country isn't logical.The economy sucks and we already have plenty of unskilled labor.The few that had skills drove wages down for construction jobs which should make libs like you irate.The editors at the dd will never have to worry about their neighborhoods being ruined or deal with sky high rent because illegals stack bodies in houses like cord wood.They are now here and will stay here.But,don't act like that's a plus for the middle class.

Joe,

The Native Americans lost what they had because they were outnumbered and outgunned. The policies you and the lib's advocate will lead to American citizens walking another trail of tears. It's our land and I would like to keep it. And I'm not going to apologize for saying so.

Illegals are here, no way to get them out! Make proof of citizenship necessary for financial aid, medical care (long term) attendance to school and being hired for any job in this country. If not a citizen, you simply do not qualify. If an illegal wishes to stay we should have a program of registration and a time table to meet the requirements to become a full fledge citizen. Can I legally go to Mexico without permission, NO, Canada, NO and no where else either.

Sorry Steve, but you can go to Mexico and Canada any time you want. I walked across the bridge in Lorado and spent a few hours looking for pottery, and I drove across the Canadian border to see Niagra Falls from that side. I didn't have to ask anyones permission. Now getting back was another story.

one must accept reality. The Gestapo is not coming to kick down doors and drive the immigrants out. Make the best out of a bad situation instead of choosing a route of failure. Remember how our lawmakers was going to put Alabama on the map and run off illegal immigarants? Either they were all legal or they did not run them off because when one goes to a Wal Mart or looks around they see no less # of Hispanics.

test

Sorry NA from Hartselle read below.

In the past, U.S. and Canadian citizens could travel to Mexico without a passport. In 2004, the US government initiated the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) with the goal of strengthening border security. With this initiative, passport requirements were phased in gradually depending on the mode of transportation used to enter and exit the country.

Now you are required to show your passport entering Mexico.

Can anyone deny that with the increase in illegal aliens, our standard of living is dropping? Let us open our arms to welcome successful immigrants from anywhere, Mexico included, with needed educations such as physics or medicine and means of support. We don't need more minimum wage welfare recipients driving down the wages of our working poor.

Joe, if someone steals your car, and after three years demands you sign over the title, is it okay that they stole it? If they kidnap your child, will you award them legal custody after 10 years?