The E wrote:Imaginos1892 wrote:You call breaking and entering, and trespassing, ‘bogus crimes’? This country is our home, and we have the right to decide who we want to let in. Breaking the law and forcing their way into our country is just as real a crime as breaking into your house.
Except no, it really isn't.
Illegal immigration is something that only very recently became a crime (In the 1920s, I think, at least in the US).
Here's the problem though: For most crimes, it is possible to point out where damage was caused by the criminal. We can find victims, in other words.
Who's the victim when it comes to illegal immigration though? Are you, personally, damaged by the presence of a mexican farm hand where there was none before? Is anyone?
On the contrary, there is a mountain of evidence that the illegal immigrant population of the US is vastly more productive than other population segments (i.e. they are in the country to do work). The myth of the illegal immigrant who comes into the country to do a crime or ten is just that: A myth. Not saying that it doesn't happen, of course, but considering the fact that those crimes are massively overreported by the usual suspects puts that into perspective.
Illegal immigration, from my personal perspective, is a bogus crime. Prosecuting it doesn't help anyone. It doesn't make you, personally, safer; On the contrary, if you happen to look like an illegal immigrant to an enforcement officer, chances are you're going to have a rather unpleasant encounter with law enforcement in your future.
The United Ststes has had immigration laws since its founding.
You ever hear of a place called Ellis Island?
Incoming immigrants were given a cursory examination. If they were sick or seemed to be mentally incompetent, they were sent back. My wife's great grandfather and his mother were compelled to return to Sweden until he had recovered from a disease while her Great Grandfather stayed in the US to get established.
Of course Swedes were considered defective and undesirable back then too. This attitude is reflected by the Swedish Chef in THE MUPPET SHOW.
As to the Irish, you would have to watch the movie BLAZING SADDLES to full appreciate how Americans thought about them.
Ok. I can not resist. Here is a hilarious clip from Blazing Saddles.
https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1t92f2