Immigration reform impact on Elgin
The Courier’s editorial page has been consistently against immigration. In a previous editorial, Mike Bailey went as far as blaming immigrants for the closing of stores like Spiess and Ackemann’s in the downtown. This argument, which doesn’t take account of the rise of highways, automobiles and shopping malls, is of course, a little bid odd. I won’t discuss it here.
Today, Dave Gathman takes his turn.
Only now are so many people coming in speaking the same tongue that some expect the right to have Spanish-language street signs and Spanish-language ballots and Spanish-language tax returns. (source: Elgin Courier)
The language issue is more or less a red herring. Children of immigrants rarely speak their parents’ language as well as English, and their own children are unlikely to speak anything but English. So yes, there will be Spanish speakers, but it’s a temporary phenomenon.
When Latinos form a majority in California and Texas  and they already accounted for a third of the people in each by the 2000 census, plus 42 percent of New Mexico  could our future hold a second war of succession? (source: Elgin Courier)
A little bit sensational, don’t you think?
The immigration issue is complex, and I’m not sure what the right policy is. I’m an immigrant myself and sympathetic to the dream many Mexican immigrants have to become genuine, legal Americans. At the same time, I recognize the challenges and the stress that heavy, rapid immigration places on local schools and public services.
What we should keep in mind though is that housing prices in Elgin are largely driven by Mexican immigrants. If undocumented Mexicans are forced out of Elgin, housing prices are likely to collapse. They have been driving the price of real estate by pushing up from the bottom of the market.
It’s only because immigrants have been paying inflated prices for Elgin’s least-expensive housing, that sellers have made enough to trade up to bigger, more expensive homes on the far west side, or (gasp) Huntley, etc.
Yes, I think Ed Schock’s dreamy “Far West” plans may not come into being if the immigrants leave. But then again, his Far West plans always had the character of a reaction to immigration…How can we forget the words he famously uttered a while back…But since he apologized, I won’t mention them.
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Cheap labor at all costs? We have seen in France what happens.
Hi, thanks for the comment.
Presumably by France, you’re referring to the muslim riots that occurred several months ago. The difference between our country and France is that our’s is a country that is based, more or less, on ideas. What it takes to be American is a love of country, and deep respect and attachment to the principles of the Founding, as described in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.
Just about every other country in the world is ethnocentric, and if you don’t belong to the dominant ethnic group of, say, France, you’ll always be more or less marginalized. America doesn’t have a perfect record, but it’s always tried to make everybody here–regardess of color or religion–American.
“The Courier’s editorial page has been consistently against immigration.”
A bit sensational, isn’t it!, especially given your inabiility to document the Courier as EVER being against immigration. Maybe you are refering to ILLEGAL immigration. You don’t think local newspapers, citizens should be against ILLEGAL activities????
And then incredibly, you reference the US Constitution in your defense of illegal activity.
Actually it is quite comical you referencing your love of the US Constitution while defending your refusal to uphold US law. The US constitution provides the basis and legitimacy of the law. The law is of the people, by the people, and for the people. Evidently, I need to point out to you that the “people” referenced are NOT illegal US boarder crashers.
Whether the immigration is legal or not, the main issue is the amount and quality. If it was legal for unskilled workers to come here from third world countries in unlimited numbers, then chances are you would be against legal immigration. Current illegal aliens can be made legal by the stroke of a pen. You would still be against it, correct? If Obama made it legal for millions of people to walk across the border, you would still be against that right? But you will not have the term “illegal immigration” to use anymore.
Personally I oppose the importation of poverty into the United States, whether it’s legal or illegal. But life is too short to worry about such things.
“Whether the immigration is legal or not, the main issue is the amount and quality”
Wow. So the aspect that actual governs immigration - the law - is nothing but a side issue, to you??? I’ll give you this - you are consistent in your misunderstanding of the nature, function, basis, and purpose of the rule of law. As if adherence to the law is optional. Prime example - Obeying immigration laws is entirely optional because the law can be changed! And then you provide a hypothetical saying I’d be against it even it were legal (probably because I’m racist). You are right. If King Obama legalized murdering Democratic Party described terrorist TEA (Taxed Enough Already?) party adherents, I’d still be against it.
“If Obama made it legal ”
Given your great expressed love of the U.S. Constitution you don’t know that Obama isn’t King, dictator or ruler of the U.S. (you are consistent)? The rule of law governing US immigration policy isn’t established by the King nor even the President. If he could have, he would have. Another 10 million votes might put him over the top in 2012.
Yes, you are generally correct on that point, though the president has considerable power to rule by decree (via executive order). Regardless of whether it is the president or the congress that makes the decision, the outcome is the same.
Red herring? I cannot go to the Gail Borden Library where I have paid LOTS of property taxes to use only to feel like it is an invasion of another country. No one speaks english and it is not the only place in Elgin. I will sell my property and move out of state as soon as housing gets better, likely to the dismay of my few white neighbors left on the East End to Mexicans that will refuse to speak english and continue to think that breeding irresponsibly at my expense is ok. If that makes me a racist too bad.
oh and btw I have traveled to many overseas places in 55 years. Guess what? None of the cater to a second language. Learn it or too bad.
I agree I too have traveled extensively abroad and find the attitude of this country a joke and a detriment to the citizens. The destructive nature of how the laws are absent when it comes to the Hispanic community many of whom are Illegal Aliens. I never thought the laws of the land would become a laughing stock of the Universe but I have been cursed to live to see what has turned out to be the weakest nation on the planet. Our government is so deep in bed with themselves seeking power and greed they will sell their mothers grave to achieve that goal. The amnesty granted by Obama will come back to bite this country in the ass. Just wait and see I can see the writing on the wall. The citizens of this country are pitiful to allow the congress and any leader to destroy what we have worked so hard for. Social security benefits are given to people who never earned a dime in this country they get more welfare benefits than any citizen has ever received this is surely something that must be reckoned with. We need to get some rules on the ballot to stop some of the blatant treasonous activity taking place in every state in this country Illinois is the absolute worst
Marie, every staff member of the Gail Borden public library speaks English. If you happen to overhear a patron speak Spanish, that person may be Bi-lingual (it’s allowed!). Your feelings are “US” versus “THEM” and you choose to designate “THEM” by race.
In truth, the vast majority of American citizens come from immigrant families. My Swedish grandparents did not speak English when they moved over, and it took them decades to learn it. Would a perfect world have only one language? I’m not so sure about that. There are thoughts and culture that are embraced in French, Spanish, Latin, German, and so on that would be lost with a universal tongue.
I encourage you to consider all human beings as valuable with an inalienable right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
Our social services safety net includes public education, Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security, and so on are there to help people and make a humane community. The rich guy who doesn’t need any of these services still benefits from all of them because the society in which he lives in is held together. Without helping the poor and disenfranchised, you end up with death, misery, and anarchy.
mr. Martin you got part of your silly comments right. We have anarchy in the city of Elgin. The Illegals have taken over Why don’t you move those pesky neighbors who are disturbing the peace of One vote into your house or help them become your next door neighbor and write us again and let us know how that arrangement is working out for U. It’s idiots like you who continues to destroy this country with your liberal blood sucking attitude. While you are at it make sure you pick up the tab for the more than 10 trillion of our tax payer dollar that are going to Illegals. There is a big difference between illegals and those who followed the law. Wake up or you will hopefully get an opportunity to eat your ignorant words.
“It’s idiots like you who continues to destroy this country with your liberal blood sucking attitude.”
Please comply with our comment policy (’be civil’) or you will not be able to post on this site in the future. Believe me, I am much more liberal with the ban hammer than I used to be.
“consider all human beings as valuable with an inalienable right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”
Wow!!!!
Wow!!!!
All humans have the “inalienable right” to live in the United States!
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed”
Yep, I’m a Liberal. I believe with whole-heart in the Declaration of Independence and agree with John Hancock, Samuel Adams, John Adams, Robert Treat Paine, Elbridge Gerry, New Hampshire, Josiah Bartlett, William Whipple, Matthew Thornton, Stephen Hopkins, William Ellery, Roger Sherman, Samuel Huntington, William Williams, Oliver Wolcott, William Floyd, Philip Livingston, Francis Lewis, Lewis Morris, Richard Stockton, John Witherspoon, Francis Hopkinson, John Hart, Abraham Clark, Robert Morris, Benjamin Rush, Benjamin Franklin, John Morton, George Clymer, James Smith, George Taylor, James Wilson, George Ross, Caesar Rodney, George Read, Thomas M’ Kean, Samuel Chase, William Paca, Thomas Stone, Charles Carrol, George Wythe, Richard Henry Lee, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Harrison, Thomas Nelson, Jr., Francis Lightfoot Lee, Carter Braxton, William Hooper, Joseph Hewes, John Penn, Edward Rutledge, Thomas Heyward, Thomas Lynch, Arthur Middleton, Button Gwinnett, Lyman Hall, and George Walton.
You can make fun of these words, but I’ll stand by them. Those rights are for everyone.
Should we guarantee individuals the right to choose where they live?
In my opinion, countries with a comparable standard of living should have open borders (just like the open border between France and Germany). This means no passport needed to visit Canada or Great Britain. Developing countries would join on a case by case basis after achieving enough wealth as to not disrupt the economy.
I love it when people quote history, because in history was the creation of our country and laws that we as Americans still today, have to abide by.
Illegal immigrants (from anywhere) don’t belong here. We have had to set a "system" for entry into this country because they started to overwhelm us. Yes, we all have ancestry that can be traced to somewhere else. I always found that quote right out of the Liberal’s Handbook, to be hysterically stupid. There was a time (when this country was young), that we encouraged immigration. Being an American, was a "Dream". Now, politicians are telling people "it’s their right", no matter where they’re from. Now we’re just being abused and if we dare speak up about it, we’re radicals or racist. Our system is being abused and we’re footing the bill. I don’t have any kids in U46 anymore. We did our time and paid our taxes every 6 months, but now we still have to pay for it which wouldn’t bother me so much if it were kids that deserved it. When you have 6 families living under one roof, there’s only one set of taxes being paid…by whoever the homeowner is. Yet we’re expected to pay for the other 5 families food, education and healthcare. Where is the equality in that? Go steal a car and when you get caught, tell the police "but I needed it to get to work so I could feed my family!". Guess what….you’re going to jail because car-theft is against the law. Come here illegally, commit felonies like stealing someone’s identity, or working here, or just move into a house that someone else had to vacate because they couldn’t pay their mortgage and lost it to a bank, and the liberals will come out screaming "but they were just looking for a better life!! You can’t send any of them to jail, you’ll be tearing their family apart!" Where is the equality in that?
What I’m seeing happen out here, is not the country I envisioned for my children when we decided to raise a family here (who are now all grown) or especially their Grandchildren and I blame all the politicians for that because one by one, on both sides of the aisle, they’ve sold us out for their own personal political survival and personal gain. Very few have done so "with American’s best interests" at heart.
When I see a Liberal/Democrat like Dick Daley, Pat Quinn, Harry Reid, Nancy Pelosi or Barack Obama take in 50 or 200 illegal immigrant families and pay for their room, board, education (through college!), medical and transportation out of their pocket, I might start believing their BS, because that is what they’re asking US as Americans, to do with our current taxation system, and if we don’t pay up, they’ll sick their pitbulls at the IRS on ya and uproot your life. That’s a whole other post for another day. ;-)
As Milton Friedman said, “You cannot simultaneously have free immigration and a welfare state.”
Todd I’ve often found your comments on here to be cogent but this one is way over the top. First & foremost the founders you allegely call liberal,Franklin,Adams,Hancock,Penn,Paine, were not “liberals” they were actually Libertarians who belived & fought & died for limited governmemt, taxation & most of all limited federal govt.! Those same “founders” also believed in natural law that the rights that were unalienable were rights granted by GOD not man! Liberals today want to remove GOD from the public square & replace with rights given by govt., a recipe for disaster. You see rights given by man Todd can just as easily be taken away. The rights given to us as Americans by GOD can NEVER be taken away without tyranny.
Europe is a mess & getting worse because they embraced “secularism” & have never believed in individual rights which We The People still cherish. My advice to you is that as a student of European & American history please learn the difference. The Constituion as well as the Declaration of Independence simply states that govt. has limited powers & that’s exactly what freedom means. Not a nanny state that “takes” care of you from cradle to grave! We’re either a nation of laws or wre a nation of anarchy “illegal aliens” by definition are people who broke our laws to come here or not. They’re not citizens & thusly are not protected by the Constitution!
Well said, Terry. The other side of the God-given rights is God-given responsibilities.
Adams was famous for saying the constitution is inadequate for governing a population that isn’t moral and religious. I think that means you have to have some integrity or there aren’t enough federal powers to hold you in check.
No wonder the Federal Register publishes a phone book sized document a day. They are writing laws as fast as they can to counter our immoral society.
“consider all human beings as valuable with an inalienable right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”
>>All humans have the “inalienable right” to live in the United States?<<
“Yep, I’m a Liberal. I believe with whole-heart in the Declaration of Independence ”
Still trying to find the part where it says all humans have the “inalienable right” to live in the U.S.!!!
“You can make fun of these words, but I’ll stand by them. Those rights are for everyone.”
Nice strawman creation, todd. Making fun of the person who CLEARLY believes the Declaration of Independence for the United States extends to all humans who manage to illegally sneak into the United States, isnt’ quite the same as making fun of the Declaration. But nice try.
But to your credit, that is pretty much to a T the liberal democratic platform on immigration - reform means legalizing everyone who gets across the border.
I’m livin’ the dream too, Marie. We just got some new neighbors who think we all enjoy the thump-thump of his music while he washes the SUV or has a garage party (which is every week-end).
His wife, two kids, two brothers and mother-in-law all share the 2-bedroom house.
Only Spanish is spoken in that home. The kids will learn English later, at my expense.
And the next time I get in line behind a mamacita with three bebes who doesn’t speak English and pays with a LINK card, I’m just going to explode.
The twin issues of assimilation and illegal aliens are taboo to the likes of Todd Martin, so we are supposed to just keep quiet.
I think that I have a drop house next to where I live there are new people frequently the number of children is rising daily. The children are disrespectful of my property refuses to stay out of my yard picks my flowers and throw garbage and balls over my fence destroying my garden. I have tried to speak to the parents the children say the parents don’t speak English this is a mess. I don’t call the police because they for the most part have bad attitudes and will do nothing they will send a Spanish speaking officer who will speak in Spanish and sweep the matter under the rug. The clock is ticking before I approach the city council and demand that this violation of my property and my rights be respected and this malicious hateful behavior stop. I am not moving if this keeps up they will.
One Vote, loud music is not an ethnic issue. It is a loud music issue. If your neighbor is making too much noise, ask them to tune it down. If they won’t comply, call the police.
Over-crowding is not an ethnic issue either. If too many people live in a 2 bedroom home, then it is a safety issue and code enforcement can correct the issue. Let them know!
There is nothing wrong with kids learning English in U46 or learning Spanish in U46 (or German or French). Everyone pays into U46 because every child deserves an education!
One Vote, if you want your taxes to only go toward what YOU need, then you don’t understand why people choose to live in a society.
When I asked them to turn it down, I got “No entiendo.”
When I called the cops, I was told they cannot do anything about it until after 10 pm. Then when they come around, the volume drops for about five minutes.
And strange things started happening on my property, like slats in the fence falling out and rocks in the lawn. What a coincidence.
And they started to play this game where they play a song really loud at about midnight, then turn off the lights and music. Then the cops show up and tell me to stop bothering them. Womack taught them well; don’t mess with the browns.
You are defending the indefensible here, Todd. Wake up!
One small nitpick, if I may. It was mentioned previously that Obama ‘granted Amnesty’. The only thing even remotely similar to this thus far is the prosecutorial discretion that Homeland Security may use on a case by case basis for deportation cases. HomSec may now look at certain factors, including whether the individual in question has a high school diploma, is currently enrolled in college or is serving in the military. Additionally, they must have a clean record (i.e. no arrests, convictions, history of criminal activity etc.). I would venture to guess that this is a better way than the 1986 act signed by President Reagan, which allowed amnesty to approximately 2 million illegal immigrants and, despite the intentions of the bill, did nothing to discourage further illegal immigration. One more thing. Under the Obama administration deportations of illegal criminals is 70 percent higher than it was during the Bush administration. And they are now cracking down on employers who hire illegal aliens. In my humble opinion this is the way to do it. Cut the head off of the snake, and the rest of the body isn’t going to survive. For example, in my mother’s neighborhood there is a garish mini-mansion built by a man who owns a landscaping company. As tacky as it is, he spared no expense on his ‘castle.’ Devil’s advocate here - perhaps he is paying his employees under the table/in cash and pocketing what he saves by using illegals? I would be curious to know if his company provides workman’s compensation, deducts for social security/payroll taxes, provides health care. If he does not, and he indeed pays ‘cash’ and covers nothing else, then shame on him, and shame on me for getting upset with those he uses (including the taxpayers) to line his pockets further. When his employees are sick, do they have insurance or do they rely upon Medicaid? When they get injured on the job, will workman’s compensation cover it, or will the state/federal government have to? Are his employees contributing to taxes collected to cover these services (which he is obligated to collect and pay but perhaps chooses not to)? I’m no fan of any one party (although lately the Republicans leave a horrid taste in my mouth, to be quite honest). And honestly, I’m not a fan of granting blanket amnesty or continuing to allow this problem to go unchecked. As I put it to a fried of mine the other day, I liken this to someone breaking into my house, and then when I get home and find them there I have to give them unfettered access to my refrigerator, clothes - anything that I have worked hard to procure for myself with no handout from anyone. I guess my biggest beef is that years ago when my great-grandmother immigrated to this country she worked her butt off as a farm hand, cook, cleaner, washerwoman, etc. and no one was required to take care of her simply because she decided to show up. I feel differently when it comes to children, as they weren’t given a choice as to where they wind up living.
But - and as Pee Wee Herman says, everyone has a big but - the thing that disturbs me the most is the fact that folks such as myself (middle class, everyday American - pick your term) are so rabidly obsessed with this issue that we fail to look at what those at the top/corporations/Wall Street are doing. Kind of like the guy that says, hey, look at that airplane, and then reaches over and picks your pocket.
I don’t know. I certainly don’t wish to defend illegal immigrants. Simply put, they have broken the law, and should suffer the consequences. I certainly would never dream of going to a foreign country, break the law upon entering and then demand my rights and impose my culture upon them. But, I sometimes wish folks would get as fired up about the vanishing middle class, tax loopholes for giant corporations, speculators causing increases in our fuel and food costs, children going to bed hungry at night and many other very relevant issues. When the uber wealthy can pit the middle class against the poor while they sit back and commit far more insidious misdeeds it’s a very sad day.
Unrelated note - this is a great forum! I recently cancelled my subscription to the Herald since they have enacted their Murdoch-ian paywall and have been checking in here from time to time. Have a great night everyone.
Right out of the gate, Obama has been pro-illegal alien.
The Bellingham WA raid is a prime example. It was a clean worksite raid and J-Nap was ready to fire ICE agents for doing their job. In the end, they rewarded the illegal aliens caught with work papers.
Then there is the designation that people with strong feelings about immigration enforcement are “rightwing extremists” worthy of the terrorist designation.
Then they gutted 287g.
Then they gutted Secure Communities.
I’d say Obama is more than willing to ignore immigration laws on the books in favor of brown votes.
His actions will only encourage more people to leave the third world and live here illegally. We need to do just the opposite, reverse the flow. We will not achieve self-deportation when our politicians are apologists for illegals.
“they rewarded the illegal aliens caught with work papers”
They ALL have work papers. Imagine the lawsuit from refusing to hire someone who might be an illegal, but isn’t!
Sorry paul, bad grammar on my part. You see, the workers were illegal at the time of the raid and subject to deportation, but Obama stepped in and gave them guest worker permits after the arrests were made.
iknow, your concern with being politically correct renders your ability to communicate nearly null and void.
“I would venture to guess that this is a better way than the 1986 act signed by President Reagan, which allowed amnesty to approximately 2 million illegal immigrants and, despite the intentions of the bill, did nothing to discourage further illegal immigration”
So allowing 20 million illegals to remain in the U.S. as illegals is better than doing anything else!!!
And when liberals talk about immigration reform which precludes deporting anyone, what do you suppose liberal immigration reform actually means?
“One more thing. Under the Obama administration deportations of illegal criminals is 70 percent higher than it was during the Bush administration.”
And yet there are still 20 million illegals here! Should the 13 million unemployed US citizens congratulate Obama!!! LOL
“And they are now cracking down on employers who hire illegal aliens.”
And yet not a SINGLE one as those employees was deported. Where did they go! Obviously down the street to get another low wage job. So, INCREDIBLY, it is absolutely okay for 20 million illegals to be here, but the Federal Government needs to stop any of them from working!!!!!!!!!!! Maybe they can all turn to crime AND then Obama will claim to pretend to deport them; or they can all be on welfare. Literally, just like a dog chasing it’s tail.
And in other news today, 9/8/11: Cook County voted 10-5 to halt employing 48 hour holds on jailed suspected illegal immigrants after completing their sentence or bailed out!!!!!
As this post is more than five years old, I’m closing the comments. If you wish to discuss immigration you can do it on the September open thread.
http://elginite.org/blog/2011/09/01/september-open-thread-2/