Obama about to speak on immigration reform plan - watch it live - Polidicks

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ecKNx5jylw[/media] [url]http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-21248981[/url] [quote]US President Barack Obama will try to build support later for an immigration overhaul, a day after a bipartisan group of senators said the time was right for reform. Mr Obama will present his plan at a high school in Las Vegas, Nevada. It is expected to mirror the senators' framework, though possibly with a faster path to citizenship for many of the 11 million undocumented immigrants. The move reflects the growing influence of Hispanic voters.[/quote] [B][url=http://www.whitehouse.gov/live]Alternative live stream[/url][/B] - it's starting, Obama just walked out

uh oh open borders america's screwed. If they came here illegally they shouldn't be given citizenship doe.

Is it right to believe that the UK and the US are going completely opposite directions when it comes to Immigration reform?

not going to lie i just like watching obama

Uh ok looks like Obama decided to start 15 minutes early

Makes a change from normally being 20 minutes late.

Probably making time for a quick wank later

I just tuned in and it's over. How long was it?

[QUOTE=Snapster;39403967]I just tuned in and it's over. How long was it?[/QUOTE] About 25 minutes

I think he did a good job addressing the issue, although I think he has opened up a lot of prying into that one guys life by using him as an example.

I don't know where I stand with (illegal) immigration honestly. As a first gen immigrant myself, it certainly frustrates me that some can very easily gain access to the country by virtue of sharing a border. I certainly have nothing against those who want to immigrate to the country, but why should Mexicans or other hispanics get a free pass? There are plenty of people in India and China who want to come to the US for the same reasons, but have to jump through the hoops and do it legally. Same for citizenship, what is an arduous process for many is going to be possibly expedited or handwaved for the many illegals already in this country. In the end I guess my qualms come down to the question of whether it is just to give such an advantage to certain groups in regards to immigration. To make myself clear, I do not subscribe to a lot of anti-immigrant stuff like "they're stealing american jobs", or "they're all criminals" etc. nor the idea that it is right for illegals to be treated like shit. They're people too, and they should be treated as any other. On the flip side though, that would mean they should be afforded no special privilege neither in entering the country nor getting citizenship.

[QUOTE=The Letter Q;39406251]I don't know where I stand with (illegal) immigration honestly. As a first gen immigrant myself, it certainly frustrates me that some can very easily gain access to the country by virtue of sharing a border. I certainly have nothing against those who want to immigrate to the country, but why should Mexicans or other hispanics get a free pass? There are plenty of people in India and China who want to come to the US for the same reasons, but have to jump through the hoops and do it legally. Same for citizenship, what is an arduous process for many is going to be possibly expedited or handwaved for the many illegals already in this country. In the end I guess my qualms come down to the question of whether it is just to give such an advantage to certain groups in regards to immigration. To make myself clear, I do not subscribe to a lot of anti-immigrant stuff like "they're stealing american jobs", or "they're all criminals" etc. nor the idea that it is right for illegals to be treated like shit. They're people too, and they should be treated as any other. On the flip side though, that would mean they should be afforded no special privilege neither in entering the country nor getting citizenship.[/QUOTE] the only problem i have on immigrants is if they avoid taxes, but benefit from the system. but thats a pretty common thing.

[QUOTE=The Letter Q;39406251]I don't know where I stand with (illegal) immigration honestly. As a first gen immigrant myself, it certainly frustrates me that some can very easily gain access to the country by virtue of sharing a border. I certainly have nothing against those who want to immigrate to the country, but why should Mexicans or other hispanics get a free pass? There are plenty of people in India and China who want to come to the US for the same reasons, but have to jump through the hoops and do it legally. Same for citizenship, what is an arduous process for many is going to be possibly expedited or handwaved for the many illegals already in this country. In the end I guess my qualms come down to the question of whether it is just to give such an advantage to certain groups in regards to immigration. To make myself clear, I do not subscribe to a lot of anti-immigrant stuff like "they're stealing american jobs", or "they're all criminals" etc. nor the idea that it is right for illegals to be treated like shit. They're people too, and they should be treated as any other. On the flip side though, that would mean they should be afforded no special privilege neither in entering the country nor getting citizenship.[/QUOTE] In the speech Obama specifically said something to the effect of, the illegal immigrants will have to 'join the line' for citizenship behind everyone who applied legitimately, because 'it's only fair'

[QUOTE=smurfy;39406378]In the speech Obama specifically said something to the effect of, the illegal immigrants will have to 'join the line' for citizenship behind everyone who applied legitimately, because 'it's only fair'[/QUOTE] Watching the full thing, yeah, I see. It make me wonder though how bad 11 million more applications for citizenship would strain the system, not the mention the extra immigrants which would result from the other policies he wants to adopt. [QUOTE]the only problem i have on immigrants is if they avoid taxes, but benefit from the system. but thats a pretty common thing.[/QUOTE] An immigrant in another country already "benefits from the system" as it were. They're in a place with most likely better infrastructure and economy, and its often for those reasons and to exploit them that they come here. Whether they have a net positive or negative impact is another thing entirely. As Obama mentioned, illegals often drive down the value for labor just by virtue of working for cheaper than anyone else. While taxes play a part in "fairness", the issue extends beyond that imo.