wnyc.org / 93.9fm / am 820

Comments

• [1] Alex from NYC May 21, 2007 - 10:32AM

  Hi Brian,

  I’m a Canadian citizen with a TN visa. I believe the immigration debate unjustly focuses too strongly on the “illegal” immigrants although it is an important issue.

  I received my degree from an American University (paid for it out of my pocket by working at least 3 part time jobs each semester). What about people in my shoes, it’s almost impossible to obtain an H-1 visa not to mention a green card, which I strongly desire. Thanks!

  Alex

  
  
• [2] Marie from Queens May 21, 2007 - 10:38AM

  I am a US born citizen married to an illegal immigrant. He was brought to this country illegally by his parents as a small child. We have tried everything to get his legal status but it has become legally impossible (we met and married after the law change in April 2001). This whole debate is incredibly frustrating, especially for a population of illegal immigrants who had no say in coming to this country illegally. What was he suppose to do at the age of 8? Tell his parents "wait, I can't go with you because that's illegal!"

  My husband speaks perfect English, has earned a college degree and yet cannot work legally even though he would be a productive member of this society. Now that's a waste of American resources.

  
  
• [3] Roberto from Brooklyn May 21, 2007 - 11:06AM

  Brian, I encourage you to look not just at "amnesty" but the even more controversial term "illegal alien." Like the term "amnesty", the term "illegal alien" enters the lexicon in very particular ways and follow a very specific path. In the case of both terms, they follow the path of multimillionaire eugencist John Tanton. Southern Poverty Law Center & others have reported extensively on his funding of Krikorian's and other organizations that researched and then deployed the such terms. See, for example:

  http://wwwww.splcenter.org/intel/intelreport/intrep.jsp?iid=7

  I'd look into the etymology and desirability of of both "amnesty" and "illegal alien". They don;t enter the language ex nihilo; they enter the language thanks to people, some of whom are rich, racist and increasingly dangerous.

  Thanks,

  R

  
  
• [4] Tricia from Boston May 22, 2007 - 10:55AM

  I have been hearing about illegal immigrants here in the US, but i was wondering, what about those college students, who came to the US to further their education, and they do not have any criminal background. They are in good status, graduated and still continuing with higher education i.e Master & Doctorate, what are you going to do to them? Are they going to be given work permits too? Are they going to be able to apply for the permanent residency? Do you even call them illegal immigrants? Please help me with the feedback. Thank you so much!