Duckie, actually it seems like they can get here without papers...
just NOT LEGALLY.
i think that is why the point of the new legislation is to go against employers who employ those that are illegal because in order to hold a LEGAL job in this country you must a) provide proof of citizenship in the US or b) provide proof of permanent resident status or c) a work visa or d) a green card (if I am not mistaken).
the other thing that irks me is that an illegal can come here and in 10 days (just an arbitray number it can be less) give birth and that child IS an American citizen (if I am not mistaken).....and if said mother does not have a job or cannot provide then we have another welfare case.
there are proper routes to take is the point...that is the law...and the law is the law...write your congressman/woman!!!!
which i think you will find...people have been doing and that is a lot of the reason why this is taking place now--legislation.
you are not going to just be able to stop someone on the street and demand identification...the US does not have such a system (unless you are operating a vehicle, drinking alcoholic beverages, buying cigarettes, etc.). but in an environment where they must get food stamps, employment, driver's license, state issued ID card, etc....you should be able to find out WHO is LEGAL and who IS NOT.
Heck to become a citizen there are certain tests one must perform (if i am not mistaken)
if they are visiting or have a visa they MUST have that document on them at all times (i.e. a Passport, or proof of Visa, etc.)---if I am not mistaken
quoted from link below (at end of post) :
The Permanent Resident Card, Form I-551, is issued to all Permanent Residents as evidence of alien registration and their permanent status in the US. The card must be in your possession at all times. This requirement means that you are not only required to have a currently valid Form I-551 at all times, but also that you must carry your currently valid Form I-551 on your person at all times. The Permanent Resident Card currently is issued with a 10-year validity. You status as a Permanent Resident does not expire with the 10-year validity. Only the card expires. The card is only valid up to the expiration date and must be renewed before it expires.
i see gtalum that you seem to be playing devil's advocate here.
if you are a citizen of the US i would think that you would show at least some concern at your tax dollars going to fund the life of "thieves" essentially.
because the way i see it they steal from me...they take my fellow Americans' jobs, they break my country's laws, to an extent they have formed a "black market" of slave labor, and most of all my taxes go to programs that support people who are not even citizens of this country and Mexico is not considered an "opressive regime" from which one must escape political or religious persecution, where the government hunts down its own people and forces them to live their way or forces them into exile, etc. (if i am not mistaken)
fine them
heavily for being here illegally so the law is not a moot point...deport them, and then make them go through the proper routes to establish being here
legally if their goal is to live here. which i would think involves some aspect of being employed or physically related (or "winning the lottery") if i am not mistaken:
quoted from same source (link below at end of post):
Some of you came to the United States as immigrants through a relative or through an employer. Some of you came as refugees or were given asylum status. And some of you came through other programs, like the Diversity Visa Lottery
a lot of reading at this site:
http://uscis.gov/graphics/services/residency/index.htm