I dont think we are looking at the big picture here. It's not about Americans being sensitive to foreiner's plights and being P.C. Come on people, they are breaking our laws! They are criminals and they are flaunting that in our faces with these protests. If you want to be in our country, do it the legal way. Why arent we also looking at the double standard here. Take a look at Mexico's immigration laws.

Ss, you may be correct, it's been over 10 years since I worked in the Hospital patient accounts dept.

They don't have "health insurance" per se.

They qualified for emergency Medicaid coverage when I was doing this work. We applied for it under their status as undocumented. If they were disapproved, the hospital worked with patients in sliding fees and time payments.

The Mediciad office was in the Hospital, no need to go to HRA.

Yes, the process is long but it can be done.

I hope the illegal immigrates get to stick around. I need people to mow my lawn, trim the shrubs, plant new flowers, paint my fence, clean my house, wash my cars, wash my dishes and at the end of the day, enjoy a nice Modelo Especial with at the end of the day at the local taqueria.

I'll let any of these illegal workers into my house before I let any of those welfare hogging "citizens" steal from me. They don't complain, they work hard, they do a good job, for decent money. The ones I have "employed" have sent enough money back home to build houses for their extended families back in their homeland.

If an illegal immigrant wants to vote, wants their voices heard and become an American, they must first become one. How is it fair that an illegal immigrant has the right to dictate our American policy. I agree that our government was at fault for their loose "open door policy" but obviously that has to change. Illegal immigrants are taking our jobs, (saying that Americans don't want to do the dirty work is a very poor excuse. If not for them, wages would be higher and may decrease welfare). They aren't paying taxes and what are they doing with their unaccountable wages? (probably sending it back to their native country!)

I work with disabled children and know a bit about Medicaid, SSI, and different forms of welfare. You cannot get any enrolled in any of these programs without a social security number. You just can't. And the people at Medicaid in this city are very hesitant to enroll anyone in these programs and make it very difficult for most people, even citizens hard up. Spend an afternoon waiting at the HRA offices in Jamaica Queens and you'll see.

You know, I could sit here in all my smug smugness but I have to admit that the "how many" question is sitting with me. Obviously we can't have open borders, especially in a post-9/11 world. But neither is slamming the door a healthy answer, either, for the economy if nothing else. But where do you draw the line? And what of the people who are standing there when you yell out "that's it, we're full"? We need border security and a sane immigration policy. But it can be deceiving to think that it's as simple as that.

However, there is the other side of the issue which is: what do you do with the people already here? Are some swelling the welfare rolls? It's possible, though I have yet to see any evidence of it, and ever since Reagan's "welfare queens" who didn't exist I approach these stories with great skepticism. But what of the folks who are here, who have been here and who are trying to build lives here? They want to be part of the system. They have the same impulses our grandparents had. Some accomidation must be made for them.

i put up the photographs i took today from the rally on www.drunkatnyu.com

I wonder what effect this immigration reform battle will have on military recruitment, considering there are plenty non-American, illegal immigrants who can sign up for the US military - two of my friends who did so certainly convinced me of it. So will the soldiers be allowed to stay while the rest of the family is deported?

Either way, if US policy makers and those who created the Washington Consensus are really serious about globalization, they better come up with a immigration system that actually make sense, particularly in the context of factor-price equalization, since the idealization of a 'level playing field' is repeated over and over like religious chants.

Yes, there's Medicaid.

And, there's a sliding scale fee at many Health clinics.

My family settled here in 1690. Can I have some health insurance now?

So, you tell me?

Is this a change in immigration policy, or not?

Are we talking about reform? Reform means change. Aren't Illegal aliens handled by the Immigration Dept. (homeland security)?

What do you mean by proper channels? There are many who enter properly and then are considered illegal after they overstay their Visas.

Rev pays...The three tier system you are talking about is being is proposed for illegal immigrants (those who entered without proper channels and are already living in the US) not people who want to come legally. There is a big difference between them and the fact that you equate the two is deeply disturbing. Also, all the bills before Congress have recommendations for border security, customs and border protection, and immigration and customs enforcement in varying degrees. If you are going to talk about specifics, please get your facts straight.

thay are protesting because they dont want to be put into a three-tiered system of who is illegal and who is not. the current bill says if you have been here 5 years or more, you can pay a fine and stay, any lesser than that and you have to go back to your country reapply. one reason these bills may not be as effective as we would like to think is that most immigrants won't even consider putting their names and addresses into this federal list of temporary workers because they fear it is just a ploy to deport them.

I'm sorry, was that what you meant as the Amnesty for workers? The terms being bantered around to fit each side can make drive one nuts.

Anyway, what is the current procedure on Illegal aliens? I always thought they didn't get "amnesty" and it's straight deportation when caught.

The three tier system,

Here for more than five years you can stay and have a chance at becoming citizens

Over two, you get deported temporarily and go through some application to return as temporary workers

Less, than two years, you get deported and go through the visa/immigration process at their home country.

I do not think their were anything specific regarding enforcement/border patrol unless you count the Minutemen project. Who are also monitoring the Northern U.S. border. Their first training run was held recently in NH. They mostly catch weed and alcohol smugglers.

Rev pays... What reforms to the current legal immigration process are being proposed? As far I can tell the main issues relate to border security, stricter enforcement, and amnesty vs guest worker status for illegals.

The bills in the Senate and House are Immigration Reform bills. Or, Changes in U.S. Immigration Policy.

The House already passed a bill in December with harsher penalties that included Employers who hires illegal immigrants and no guest worker program.

So here is the point of view of a legal immigrant/recently naturalized citizen....

First off, I find the whole portrayal of the issue very disconcerting. The bills before Congress have nothing do with reforming the legal immigration process yet all the headlines read "thousands march for immigration reform" thus swaying the conversation. Let's be clear the issue before us is that of illegal immigration. We are dealing with people who entered the US illegally and by doing so broke our laws. The people marching are saying that's okay with me. Note to marchers--legal immigrants already have rights.

I'd also like to remind everyone that there is legal process by which one can enter this country, get a visa, greencard and eventual citizenship. People around the world wait years and often go through a long and and tedious process (did I mention, expensive) to legally come here. These people have respect for our laws and are willing to abide by them. What message does amnesty for illegals sending to these people? Run the border its easier!

And for those who oppose border security. If we don't take some action, whether it's building a wall or some other measure, we will never solve the problem and our children will be having this same discussion in twenty years. We should get to decide who gets to enters this country. I understand that people want to come here and make a better life for themselves but they shouldn't be allowed to force themselves on us. We should get to choose enters and a wall may be the only steo towards the end.

Fuck those Immigrants. You want to see what they did after the parade? they left tons of garbage and litter everywhere! No LEgal CITIZENSHIP FOR YOU!

How exactly are we supposed to be able to control who gains entry into our country?

No one wants to answer that. They want it to resolve itself. Ridiculous