>>Illegal immigration is a big problem for those of us that live in border states. Just because you don't see the effects of it doesn't make it any less of an issue.
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>In what way is it a problem for you, Dan? Serious question. How do illegals directly impact your life?
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>Tamar

Houston has always had a high number of Hispanic people living here, but for the most part they were legal immigrants or 2nd generation Mexican. My best friend growing up was 2nd generation Mexican. But since the local economic crash of the '80's, a large number of Central American illegals have come here. This has led to quite a number of problems:

1) Crime - google "Gulfton Ghetto" to learn about one of the local problem spots. It's not too far away from where I grew up. The apartment complex I lived in had a big spike in violent break-ins after Tropical Storm Allison; we got flooded and a number of carpet-removal firms came in to clean up. Most of the crews were illegals, and got a first-hand look at everyone's belongings. Not a week later, doors were getting bashed in. I know they were looking for mine, because of the amount of computer gear I had; fortunately they missed.

2) School tax revenues, high because of the burden of schooling the children. I am amazed at the amount of school construction going on. For a number of years my ex- and I rented a house that was eventually condemned for school property.

3) High auto insurance rates. Harris County, where I live, has some of the highest rates in the country. Uninsured motorists are a big problem here, but never mind the insurance - we have a big problem with people that just flat don't know how to drive.

I could go on about quality-of-life issues like litter, crowding, vagrancy, and so forth, but these are some of the majors.