Law-Forums.org

[symington]

I have this Mexican friend (or sort of) at school and its always about race to him. I told him as long as you are coming here legally to be an American, respect the countrys laws etc then I have no problem. Just illegals who come here and wave that Mexicano flag while demanding rights is the problem. Mexico and every other country in the world does it, so why doesn't the US take care of the illegal problem?

[wal49]

If he's mad about immigration enforcement, then he's either an illegal or doesn't understand the issue. Real legal immigrants feel everyone should be equal, and should be approved to enter the country.

[sebastiano]

Illegal immigrants are crossing an imaginary line to better their lives and the lives of their families, I would do the same if I were in their position so I never look down on them. And I've yet to met an illegal immigrant demanding rights.

[dodya]

Because business employs them and are not punished. If no one hired them they would be gone. Thank Ronnie Reagan. Another reality check for conservatives.

[chen12]

People who break the law see the law as a hindrance. People who abide by the law see it as a good thing.

[rushford79]

Because Mexicans are trying to invade our country and take over without anybody noticing.

You noticed.

[dennie18]

Johnny should pay more attention in English class than to Mexican.

[ricard83]

Your right, but the people coming in do not have a "race", they use that as an excuse.

[kendrix]

Votes, Holmes.

[porter]

It's not realistic to generalize Mexican views on immigration laws. There are many different opinions among the very large demographic group. Mexico is a very large country with millions of people. In America, the term "Mexican-American" has a broad context. I know conservative Mexicans who are not offended by immigration laws. I am from rural Arizona and went to school with many Mexican Americans. A lot of them joined the US Military after high school. I played sports with many Mexican teens. I am Native American.

I've seen the arguments on facebook. I had one Mexican friend who did not feel 1072 was racist and wondered why it was controversial among Mexicans. I know other Mexicans who are deeply offended by 1072.

There are Mexican Americans in Arizona who can trace their ancestry in the southwestern USA back to the 1500s to 1700s after Coronado entered the area as a Spanish explorer. These Mexican Americans were in modern Arizona, New Mexico, and California long before white Anglo-Saxon Americans. Prior to them all, the Native Americans were in the area.

I know Mexico has divided opinions because the population is very large. Mexico has also struggled with socioeconomic problems in the decades after the strictly enforced "casta" - a colonial caste system based on the degree of Spanish ancestry. This caste system that had existed for hundreds of years in Mexico does have a modern aftereffect. Many illegal immigrants trying to escape poverty in Mexico are descended from the bottom of that caste system that had existed in colonial times. You can still see it in modern Spanish TV. If you watch a Spanish-Language Mexican Soap Opera, you will notice that the lead actors and actresses often have primarily Caucasian-Spanish features while the servants are darker complected with more indigenous or African ancestry. It's because of the "casta."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casta