Hi tracy,

>The problem comes when they bring their entire family over here, stand in line at the public health department, receive their immunizations or free healthcare, then everyone in the family drives back across the border (they only need to sneek in, not out) and the father stays to work illegally. This is often the case.

and what to think of the following situation? A lot of immigrants (not applying to illegals though) here in holland declare that they have a x number of children. The government will pay a 3 monthly fee per kid for all its citizens. It came to be that some children never existed or still are living in the 3rd world countries. Our government is trying to something about it, by using database technology. It came out that some of them were leading a comfortable life in marroco, turkey and have houses paid by our government. Sure it makes me angry, but fraud happens on all layers of society. The best you can do, is having some workforce that searches for fraude and punish the ones commiting it.

>They came for the free services and then return home. Many families stay for the free services and some towns in North Carolina are now 75% hispanic. A huge debate has been brewing in North Carolina because it was publicized that the state wanted to provide college for free to illegal immigrants. Well, that has never been done and no legal immigrants receive it nor do citizens. It became such a huge debate that supposedly it stopped, but low and behold, some colleges are doing it anyway and it is not publicized. I have explained the problem with the hospitals numerous times so I won't repeat that discussion except to add that my ex-husband used to run the IT department in a major hospitial here, my sister in law was the head ER nurse, and I also have a relative who was a doctor on staff so I know what I am talking about. I didn't dream this up. The problem comes from the hospital administration and large corporations who hire the illegal immigrants - political pressure. Those complaining the most are the LEGAL IMMIGRANTS who come to this country. They are treated like citizens and pay taxes and must watch the illegals receive everything for free.

>I will never stand in their shoes because I will always work for a living as long as I am physically able to and will provide for my daughter.

Sorry that was not the question and a wrong comparison. You're implying that illegal aliens do not want to work, but in stead reap off the fruits of americans economy. I have a hard time believing that. Most of those immigrant don't have health insurance, they don't get anything beyond inmediate medical care. They have to work hard for too little money to live from, and yes of course crimerates are high in such situations. But some will achieve the american dream eventually. It is an artifact of how your system works.


>I pay taxes and pay for medical care. I think Mexicans should be trying to change things inside their country instead of coming here.

Ouch, ouch... Here goes the finger pointing again. The US does not have the right to finger point any nation which works differently. First the canadians, now the mexican. How much do you know about the economical model of mexico? Is the US giving mexico a chance to become an economical power? I think not. You'll have to accept that mexico is a very different country with its own rules and won't let it dictate by the US how to handle internal afairs. I find this attitude very arrogant, dangerous and concerning. About 70 years of history is scattered with disasters where the US government is getting involved in dictating other nations (middle america). Don't go there.

The only one who can do something about it is the US government itself. Of course it is difficult to close the borders, but not impossible. Have you been in eastern germany when it still existed. Those borders were rather effective. Just lay some minefields, throw up some barriers (the chinese did this with the chinese wall), use modern technology. There is no valid reason why the US could not close the borders with mexico. The fact that it is not happening is due to the policy of your government: the US economy needs them.

>If those that have come to this country illegally were to push for change in their country something might actually happen. That would be 10 million Mexicans pushing for change. I have been to Mexico numerous times and let me tell you, I wouldn't get anything for free and I'd be lucky if I didn't end up in a Mexican prison. Unless I could afford to pay off the local police that is.

I would not want to live in middle america either, but corruption is everywhere, not only in middle america. I've been there as well, and it was not safe to go out there on your own. You'll have to be very carefull. But that is the way it is. You'll have to accept that, or don't go there.

>Perhaps since the attitude is so different in the Netherlands they will accept me and I can live there for free? I would love to do that! Just let me know when.

Just find someone to marry with. I do have a dutch colleage (42) and just single. I might have a programming job for you :) But to disappoint you, even here in holland, nothing is for free. Yes, a dutch citizen would not be left in the cold, uninsured without a house, but don't expect any luxury like driving a car.

Walter,