Return to Article: Lawmakers consider using military to seal U.S. borders
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9592
Here we go again...Mr.True Patriot thinks that anyone disagreeing with him isn't a patriot? That's the feeling I get here. True, most of us are immigrants, usually within 3-4 generations, but our forefathers came in through the FRONT door. Illegal infiltration is not immigration, it is a FEDERAL crime, period. After 9/11 we cannot afford the soft, feel good liberal mantra of helping the entire third world. Illegal infiltrators here in New York are taking jobs away from poor Americans, getting free services, and running down any community that they inhabit (e.g. Farmingville, Southampton). If you want absolute freedom, find a desert island somewhere. Despite our many problems, America IS still the best, 'cause everyone else is trying to get in. Let's train the Minutemen to work with the Border Patrol, enforce fair immigration laws, and pray that it's enough.
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9584
I understand what you're saying about the threats to individual liberty, True Patriot, but that is a separate issue from preventing illegal invasion from Mexico, Canada, or any other country. I simply am disgusted with other nations that export their problems to the U.S., and I am disgusted with a border that is so open that anyone who isn't a total idiot (and even most who are total idiots) can easily sneak in. You can't equate the monitoring of aliens who cross our border to the issuance of national ID cards and threats to the privacy of U.S. citizens.
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9581
The quote is from Benjamin Franklin, who lived in a totally different time and place than what exists today. Back in Ben's time, the U.S. needed and sought immigrants, as we were a small nation of perhaps 10 to 15 million clustered in towns and cities along the East Coast. Now, we have been attacked in a way Franklin and the other Founding Fathers would have found unimaginable, and I think if they were alive today, Ben and his colleagues would be in agreement with controlling our borders, as different times call for different measures. I congratulate you and your family on your service, but still must disagree with you on your premise. We need to know who is in this country, whether or not they are terrorists. Illegal aliens were coming here before 9/11, which only served to put the spotlight on a problem that few Americans outside the southwest border even gave much thought to. To paraphrase a previous poster, do you leave your front door unlocked at night, so that just anyone could come in and say they have a right to be there? I'm sure you don't. That is precisely the situation facing our country today. We can't admit the world, but have been and will continue to be generous with those who follow our laws, and enter this country legally. I'm sure Ben Franklin would agree wholeheartedly with this concept, as we are a nation of laws.
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9525
You DHS types are missing my point and should be concerned our constitutional rights/individual freedom, are being diluted/eliminated by the Neocons destroying our American values and principles under the pretense of securing our borders. These draconian, overzealous efforts wouldn't be happening if not for the terrible events of 9/11. We didn't find Osama or WMD's in Iraq so the focus is on easy targets to show citizens we are making strides to prevent another attack on our soil. This administration scares the living hell of its citizens by constantly reminding us we are under threat of another terrorist attack. When asked about the threats, a typical answer is that it is classified and can't be discussed because of "national security". If we question it, we are unpatriotic. So now guys, the theory of the moment is they will enter Mexico and sneak across our border and must be stopped at all cost. The 15 Saudi hijackers involved in 9/11 had visas. By steering national attention to illegals crossing from Mexico, this government is setting stage for what they wanted. National ID cards. Example, the recent congressional proposal requiring anyone getting a drivers' license have 6 forms of ID. Apparently the government isn't harvesting quickly enough personal and private information on its citizens. I don't want the government prying into my life or business period! I love America, perhaps more than you. I will stand guard to protect it from its enemies, foreign and domestic including efforts to destroy yours, and my individual freedoms. My father served 20 years with the Army, I served 21 years with the Air Force, and 16 with DoD. My oldest son 8 years with the Army, another 6 with the Navy. I've traveled all corners of the world and see things in a different perspective. Perhaps all you "gung ho" cowboys, anti-Hispanic, brainedwashed lot should stop and do some critical thinking about the direction our country is heading to. The old Soviet Union? You think it can't happen in the USA? By the way I am a Hispanic American. If history serves me correctly, some great American once said "Those that trade liberty and freedom for a little security deserves "NONE". Can some of you DHS types research this for me provide the exact quote? Gracias! True Patriot
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9524
It's a sad day when an idiot equates the idea of actually lifting a finger against illegal invasion to the use of land mines, firing squads, and GPS/drone missile systems.
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9516
Everyone's entitled to their opinion, no matter how ridiculous...Mr. True Patriot obviously isn't familiar with the quote by James Madison "that this is a nation of laws, not men". Neither has he studied world history re: the fall of great empires from within. Legal immigration is a vital part of American past and present, illegal infiltration is a federal crime, period! As a retired law enforcement officer who worked for 15 years at JFK airport, and was cross-certified as an Immigration officer, I saw much abuse of the system by various ethnic groups. In point of law, the only unconditional right of entry into the US is for returning American citizens. We cannot and should not get trapped into supporting the entire Third World, let the vaunted UN and private charities work that street. Of course we can help, by keeping the illegals out and developing their country's economy. It's time to hit the e-mail trail w/our legislators & counteract the liberal whining and lies.
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9513
Hey, "True Patriot" (which you obviously are not), it is the right of every nation and its citizens to control access into their country. Do you allow just anyone into your home? Let me know where you live, I'll be over next week, just leave the door open. That is exactly what is happening daily on our borders! Maybe that doesn't bother you, but it sure bothers the rest of us. I guess you are one of those "we are the world" do-gooders, without an ounce of commonsense in your brain. Come down from the ivory tower, put down the NY Times, and see what is really happening, before you ridicule others who seek to enforce the laws of this country. Remember we are a nation of laws, as a result of a little get together a couple of hundred years ago. Maybe you heard of the Constitution? And cut out the sarcasm, it's overdone, not amusing, and just doesn't work!
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9472
Reference Poor Richard's comment that illegal aliens don't receive SSI benefits; Wake up PR! If they walk into an SSA office and admit they're illegal, then PR is right, they won't get SSI bennies. However, I have seen numerous cases of illegals receiving SSI based on the submission of birth certificates/SS cards of others. One received in excess of $45,000 before ICE discovered due to an unrelated arrest.
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9465
Hey! Why just stop with putting the military along our borders? Got a better idea. We can set up landmines all along the border with Mexico. Then do the same to the north along the Canadian border from Maine to Washington. We can lay steel underwater nets all along our great Coastlines. A few underwater mines scattered strategically as well with just a few tightly controlled entry points. We can backup these protective layers of defense by bringing back our troops from our questionable intrusions in Iraq and other parts of the world and positioning them 50 feet apart all along the borders. If these are not enough, draft all the unemployed in our country, preferably beginning from the Southwest. If we manage to capture a few that somehow got through, set up public firing squads just inside our border so that those in the other side can see. Big deterrent here! Then when we have the problem somewhat under control along the borders, we can embark on a "seek and deport" all those illegal's already in the country without mercy and compassion. The task can easily be easily accomplished once our national ID system is put in place. Any other foreigner blessed with the great fortune to be allowed in this great country of ours will have to wear a GPS bracelet during their legal stay. But wait, I have yet another better idea. The GPS bracelet will have a built in explosive device that will detonate the minute the Visa expires. Gosh! We can really clean up this country of illegals. Oh! I just thought of another idea. Require all US citizens, and legal residents to wear a bracelet ID at all times. These bracelets will contain electronic ID's that will be in constant communication with our satellites. We can have our drones armed with missiles hook up with the satellite and attack any human object detected not sending a signal to the satellite. Oh Man! I'm on a roll. Soon we can take our country back from all those nasty farm workers, nannies, drug runners, disease carrying individuals that are bankrupting our welfare system. "Will this be a great ALL AMERICAN country or what"?
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9460
I'm all for troops on our borders, problem is, what troops? We are streched so thin on troops now it may not be possible. Homeland Security is a joke as long as we have illegals pouring across our borders. We seem to be a nation that has selective enforcement of our own laws. Go Minutemen.. at last a few citizens who will do what our govt. refuses to do.
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9454
Illegal aliens cannot receive SSI aka Supplemental Security Income.
For the uninitiated, SSI is a federally administered (through the Social Security Administration) needs based income program for the aged, the blind, and the disabled. It is paid out of general revenues, not the Social Security trust funds/FICA taxes.
Under some circumstances, it is possible for legally admitted and documented aliens to receive SSI.
Poor Richard
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9453
Quoted in your story is Miss Monico, a student at GWU who thinks illegals "deserve a right to come here." Miss Monico ought to be apprised that there is no right to enter the United States - a sovereign nation she needs to be reminded-- it is a regulated privilege so long as the citizens wish to extend it, and to whom they wish to extend it. As for "they mean no harm" what does she consider the actions of MS-13 and other organized illegal thugs who exacerbate the crime problem in northern Virginia, Los Angles, and elsewhere where problems did not exist before their arrival? Finally, her absurdity of "It's not like they're trying to scam the United States" is ridiculous. Illegals absorb emergency room funds, demand social services, spread diseases hitherto eradicated, and put low wage Americans out of work. Their illegal entry is a scam in and of itself. Miss Monico is oblivious to the whole ideal of the legitimacy of the United States, or perhaps doesn't care or opposes the notion itself.
As for putting the Army on the border, why not? Under the constitution the primary duty of the armed forces is the protection of this nation. Stationing the Army on the border does not violate posse comitatus, which address domestic law enforcement; it would, however, staunch the Mexican invasion.
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9452
Has anyone told him the military is being used to seal Iraq's borders?
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9451
There is a valid reason the federal Army does not patrol the borders. Someone really needs to go read the Constitution of the United States, not just the Far Right States.
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9450
What a win-win situation! This is great, let the military do the work of border patrol at a fraction of the cost! This way when they lay-off all the border patrol agents because they are no longer needed, they can join the military for less than half their pay. This will keep our troop strengths up and running for the next weapons of mass destruction eradication efforts. This will also help wal-mart because that will be all the border patrol agents will be able to afford. You better watch out Iran and Syria, the border patrol is going to get you. Thank you Mr. President, the nation loves you.
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9447
MILITARY ON THE BORDER??? I hope not. The American people are going to sit by and watch the Right Wing politicians use the military on the border - another step to the military taking over the country. I want to scream from the mountaintop - wake up America - look around you and see what they are doing!! Look at Tom Delay - his solution - get rid of the judges who do not issue rulings that favor certain religious views - What next? This rulings by this judge do not favor his views on the use of the military. READ HISTORY - see what dictators have done to their countrymen - how they started!! Oh he is an alarmist - it would not happen here - not in the United States - that is what citizens of other countries thought. This is not the way to restrict illegal immigration - make the laws tougher - you get caught coming across the border illegally - you are held for 12 months and do work on farms, roads, etc - but no pay and no money to send home. Stop allowing free schooling, SSI, welfare for illegal aliens - but the military on the border - NO!!!
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9446
Well it's about time the Government did something about this problem. The illegals have been flooding in here by the millions since Bush took office. After that's done, we need to round up the ones here in the country already and export them back to where they came from. It will reduce our health care costs, administrative costs and reduce crime by a great deal. Hope this isn't another lie. Its important to our well being to make this happen.
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9443
"The plan also calls for DHS to merge the bureaus of Customs and Border Protection and Immigration and Customs Enforcement 'so one agency is responsible for the total illegal immigration services issue.'"
Wow! Why didn't anyone think of this amazing idea before? ONE agency responsible for the total illegal immigration services issue? Oh wait, that was exactly what was in place prior to the creation of DHS when the INS was a stand-alone agency. What "brand new" ideas will they come up with next? What was it that the creation of DHS was supposed to accomplish again?
On the bright side, it seems like people are starting to realize what a tragic blunder this entire transition was for the I&NS and Customs. It only took over two years and thousands of letters and phone calls for our astute goverment officials to consider that something might not be right. The only reason I'm still here is because I know big changes are coming our way, and I'm waiting to see what happens. If the situation is still going to be similar to what it is now, or worse yet, if ICE is merged with CBP but then we turn out to be just one giant INS, I'm gone.
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9440
Putting the military on the border would help the situation. It can not get any worse. The U.S. government needs to decide whether they are serious about securing our borders or do they want to continue trying to appease the immigrant rights groups that want open borders. If another 9/11 happens because of this sorry state of affairs the politicians will blame everybody but themselves.
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