It isn’t mentioned in the article, but I’m guessing Professor Swain is African American. When was the last time an African American was brought in chains to this country? This country is all about offering choices and opportunities to those smart enough to use them to their advantage. Let’s be realistic…illegal immigrants perform all the jobs that everyone else, including African Americans, deem too menial for them to perform. Who would do those jobs were it not for these immigrants, who in large part live in less than ideal conditions and work long hard hours just to support themselves and be able to support their families back home. Instead of waging battle against illegal immigrants, why not rally for better working conditions and benefits?

What do you think about these statements? Is it valid to bring up the topic of slavery in this debate?
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It is true that illegal immigrants take jobs that Americans of any color to include American born Latinos deem undesirable. But to Prof. Swain and others I would like to state not to lump all blacks together. POOR black people, black ex-offenders, black ex-drug users and blacks with no high school diplomas are competing with illegal immigrants for these low-wage jobs that other Americans don’t want. Not educated Blacks or those with at least a high school diploma.

And yes, it is true that employers will take a chance to hire an illegal immigrant whose criminal background is unknown over an ex-offender who is just trying to get his/her life back on track. An illegal immigrant could have committed murders or robberies in his country of origin and fled to the US where he is now working at McDonalds but his employer doesn’t know. Yet the employer knowingly hires the illegal immigrant over an ex-offender.

There is something wrong here.

I do not think slavery and the reasons why people leave their country for illegal entry into the US; should be used as comparisons. Yes slavery ended in 1865 but its still a sensitive subject (just as the loss of Mexican territory is sore subject for others) in which outcome is still being determined.

Anyway, there is no illegal immigrant taking the job of a county administrator with a B.A/S. degree who is black. And there are no illegal immigrants taking executive jobs away from white men.

The jobs that illegal immigrants perform are typically low-wage, manual to semi-manual low-skilled labor. These jobs had a very high turn-over rate which provided those with an opportunity to some experience and leave for better opportunities; and was constant a source of entry level experience. These jobs were a revolving door of people going in and going out. These jobs were never meant for someone to languish in it for years. It was the perfect summer job for teenagers, or the part-time job for those working their way through college or the part-time income to supplement a family’s finances during a tough period or a job for that ex-con to prove to society he’s on the right path back to being a responsible citizen. Now with vast amounts of illegals immigrants filling these positions, the turn-over rate has plunged; to the point that an illegal will stay at his/her McDonald’s job for YEARS instead of months. There is no more revolving door and even the illegal cannot move up the economic ladder because of his/her illegal status so it means that when there is an opening employers can pick an choose who they want to hire instead just hiring some warm body to last for a few months. These are no longer entry level job with no experience necessary, they are entry level jobs requiring some experience. So an employer is much harder on a high school drop-out who is Mexican-American or African-American or even white but is willing to hire an illegal with a 5th grade education, practically no English language proficiency but comes high recommended from his primo who also works there.

Before the illegal immigrants ALL KINDS OF PEOPLE DID THIS WORK (to answer boricuamystique’s response). If the illegal immigrants were to self-deport, the American economy would not spiral into a depression….instead employers would go back to hiring those in the demographic that I mentioned above and they will have to increase the wage because even the Pew Hispanic centered agreed that hiring of illegal immigrants workers depress the local wage.

In reply to Shae. It amazes me, I think American born individuals have this amazing opportunity to graduate from High school (not just drop-out) and go to college. Versus, illegal immigrants who do not have the same opportunity and will mostly settle for any job just to provide some income even if it is minimum wage.
Why give up your opportunity to succeed and get an education? Especially, when Americans have the upper-hand because they already know the language and for the most part have their family and friends support. Immigrants come to this county hoping for a better future for their families, leaving everything behind (e.g. family, friends, belongings). Both of my parents graduated from a University in Mexico, but the U.S. does not consider that as a creditable education, so my Dad started out the lowest of the low despite his Bachelor’s degree. My parents came here without the thought of “taking a drop-out or ex-cons” job away or as some people assume with the thought of being associated with “gang-violence”. They came here for me! So, that I would live a better life than they did. So, why not take the amazing opportunity that I have and graduate from High School? It’s too easy to do so. I am currently attending a University paying everything (e.g. tuition, books, etc.) out-of-pocket because I want my parent’s journey to be worth something.
While, my husband comes from a similar background, he is a very proud United States soldier and currently getting ready to deploy to the middle-east for a 12-month tour for the second time in his military career which has been less than 3 years (He is ALSO attending a University, though it’s going to be long-distance learning soon). So in conclusion, I believe if an individual wants to be “lazy” enough, not self-sufficient, not determined to be get an education, or commit crimes well-knowing of the consequence, well then let them struggle for a job maybe that will kick their behinds into gear to want to better themselves. And why not give an immigrant that opportunity just because of where they were born? I could go on forever about this issue, but I better stop here and believe me I don’t mean to offend anyone I just feel really passionate about my beliefs and the struggle that comes with it. I’m still waiting on the world to change!