Frankly, I tend toward the 2nd one. It is an unfortunate and irrational fact of life that just about anybody who commits that sort of crime is released back into society. We have had drunk drivers with over 20 convictions released. Oh, they might suspend the person's license for a year or so, but then he just drives without a license, gets caught, is fined, and told "naughty, naughty".

When a citizen is given a slap on the wrist for such a crime, do you say to yourself, "Oh, well, that's ok then. At least he's a citizen"? Of course you don't.

Should an illegal immigrant be treated differently? Perhaps, but in this sort of case, immigration, legal or otherwise, is not really the issue. The issue is simply lack of spine when it comes to creating real and practical deterrents to sociopathic behaviour.

>Have you seen the latest news out of Virginia Beach? The illegal immigrant who killed two teenagers drunk driving and it was his 3rd violation? The argument is now:
>
>Is it a drunk driving issue?
>Is it an illegal immigration issue?
>Is it both?
>
>I'm with the 3rd one. The local authorities refuse to notify ICE when an illegal immigrant commits crimes. He also is not incarcerated, but walking the streets while the legal process continues. There is problems on the legal side (3rd violation on the streets and no rehab after previous two) and on the immigration side (why was he not deported after the 1st violation? Why was ICE not even notified after the 1st violation?). Dragan is in that area so he probably knows more about it. There may be other extenuating circumstances I don't know about. It is common though to release illegal immigrants who commit crimes back onto the street in this country, and that is a problem.
>
>
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>>Take a trip down to south Florida some election day and see which way Cuban-Americans vote.
>>
>>I wasn't saying other Hispanic immigrants DO vote Republican, just that maybe they should. And in fact the Republicans have finally wised up and started trying to attract them.
>>
>>I agree with your last point. And I can understand them feeling that way. What I don't think they're taking into account is the unique geographic situation. If Germany (for example) shared a long border with the U.S. and we told them we're only going to take a few thousand of you a year, I bet they would see it differently.
>>
>>
>>>Wow. Our experiences are so different. Having lived in Mexico, Colorado, here, New Mexico, Arizona, and other locations, I know a LOT of Mexicans and Mexican Americans. I can honestly say that I have never known a single one to lean towards the Republican party. I have known quite a few Bulgarians though who lean in that direction which surprised me. Also, from what I have seen, those who hate the illegal immigration situation with Mexico (specifically) most of all (compared to the average American) are legal immigrants from other countries.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>>If I had been living and working in this country for years and there was a movement to criminalize me and throw me out, I would protest, too.
>>>>
>>>>I have come to know quite a number of Hispanic Americans, some legal, some illegal. Most of them through soccer, some through school. There is little if any relationship between the people I know and the demonized image some are putting forth these days. There is a complete disconnect.
>>>>
>>>>One irony of the whole saga is that Hispanics would seem to be a natural constituency of the Republican Party. They tend to be devoutly religious and conservative on social issues. Could it be the color of their skin? Maybe that's the cold hard pebble of truth that no one wants to acknowledge.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>What is left out in the analogy is that someone in the house has welcomed them and gave them a room to stay in.
>>>>>
>>>>>Drugs come into the country because someone here wants to buy them.
>>>>>People come here because someone wants to hire them.
>>>>>
>>>>>If you want stop illegal immigration, stop the people that hire them.
>>>>>
>>>>>I really don't understand why people get so worked up about protesters. Why is that so offensive to some?
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>>Folks,
>>>>>>
>>>>>>I don't normally post this sort of stuff, but I just couldn't resist on this one. It's the best description of the situation I've ever heard.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>----------
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Recently large demonstrations have taken place across the country protesting the fact that Congress is finally addressing the issue of illegal immigration. Certain people are angry that the US might protect its own borders, might make it harder to sneak into this country and, once here, to stay indefinitely. Let me see if I correctly understand the thinking behind these protests.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Let's say I break into your house. Let's say that when you discover me in your house, you insist that I leave. But I say, "I've made all the beds and washed the dishes and did the laundry and swept the floors; I've done all the things you don't like to do. I'm hard-working and honest (except for when I broke into your house).
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> According to the protesters, not only must you let me stay, you must add me to your family's insurance plan, educate my kids, and provide other benefits to me and to my family (my husband will do your yard work because he too is hard-working and honest, except for that breaking in part). If you try to call the police or force me out, I will call my friends who will picket your house carrying signs that proclaim my right to be there.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> It's only fair, after all, because you have a nicer house than I do, and I'm just trying to better myself. I'm hard-working and honest, um, except for well, you know.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> And what a deal it is for me!! I live in your house, contributing only a fraction of the cost of my keep, and there is nothing you can do about it without being accused of selfishness, prejudice and being an anti-housebreaker. Oh yeah, and I want you to learn my language so you can communicate with me.
>>>>>>
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>>>>>>
>>>>>>Why can't people see how ridiculous this is? Only in America....