Posted by Buzzm1 (anonymous) on August 9, 2008 at 3:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

OUR ACCEPTABLE IMMIGRATION REFORM

#1. Secure the Border!!!
#2. Mandate E-Verify for ALL Employees!!!
#3. Mandate E-Verify for ANY Benefit!!!
#4. Stop the Underground Economy!!!
#5. End Birthright Citizenship for Illegals!!!
......and make it retroactive!!!
#6. End Chain Migration!!!
#7. Make English our Official Language!!!
#8. Cut Off Federal Funds to Sanctuary Cities!!

NOTHING MORE!!! NOTHING LESS!!!

Posted by Buzzm1 (anonymous) on August 9, 2008 at 3:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Minnesota Coalition for Immigration Reduction
http://www.mnforsustain.org/immg_minneso...

Contact: paulwestrum@yahoo.com

Posted by nealjpage (anonymous) on August 9, 2008 at 3:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hmm. I hoped that Minnesotans weren't this xenophobic. Guess I was wrong.

Posted by leftthehatebehind (anonymous) on August 9, 2008 at 4:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

How disgusting... and tacky!!!

This is a hateful group, and from the looks of some of the people involved, not too far off from the KKK. It all boils down to hate for Mexicans.

Remember where you came from, because unless you are an Indian, your family did not originate from this country either and were once immigrants too! Imagine if they came here with the hate people are receiving now...

Posted by Buzzm1 (anonymous) on August 9, 2008 at 4:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

There are over 8.8 million unemployed Americans, and that number is increasing with every passing day.

Illegal immigrants, using forged, falsified, or stolen identities, have illegally obtained jobs, that rightfully belong to American citizens.

Americans need these jobs, and they need them now.

I fully support the Executive Order that requires contractors to use E-Verify to check the employment eligibility of all persons hired for performing work on federal contracts. Illegal immigration is a tremendous problem in the United States, and E-Verify is a necessary tool to stop it.

Only 1% of employers, approximately 70,000, out of over 7 million employers nationwide, are presently signed up to use E-Verify, and already 200,000 illegal job applicants have been identified. Removing the jobs that draw illegal immigrants is a key component of our efforts to stop illegal immigration, and E-Verify accomplishes just that..

Moreover, the E-Verify system is necessary to stem the growing problem of identity theft. Illegal immigrants are using increasingly sophisticated forged documents to work in the United States. This has made electronic verification of documents an essential element of protecting the identification of citizens.

In short, the E-Verify system is a necessary part of a larger strategy to stop illegal immigration and imposes minimal burdens on employers and employees.

Posted by Buzzm1 (anonymous) on August 9, 2008 at 4:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Unemployment Rates for States
Monthly Rankings
Seasonally Adjusted
June 2008p

Rank State Rate
27 MINNESOTA 5.3

Posted by genevieve470 (anonymous) on August 9, 2008 at 4:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

That is a ridiculous display of hatred and the reason I have changed my weekend plans for my children. I am not going to drive over an hour and pay money to expose a nine year old and a four year old to that kind of attitude. I think it would be irresponsible parenting on my part. I posted this in the opinion section also, and was glad to see his name was printed in this article. He should have his name displayed prominently on his mean little banner also. I used to live in Austin, and am disappointed by this hatred that seems to have infested the town.

Posted by Buzzm1 (anonymous) on August 9, 2008 at 4:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Illegals are an enormous financial burden on American Taxpayers:

Education is California's single largest public expenditure and commands 42% of that state’s $150 BILLION budget. The State of California's Legislative Analyst's Office reports that of the state's 6.4 million K through 12 public school students, one out of four is not fluent in English. Of that number, 85% are Spanish speaking (illegal immigrants). Additionally, one out of nine of these (illegal immigrant) students require special education programs.

These children of Spanish speaking foreign (illegal) immigrants increase California's K-12 enrollment by 21.3%, nearly 1.4 million (illegal immigrant) students. At $11,584 each, which is the state’s 2007-2008 budgeted allocation per student, the cost of educating these (illegal alien) students is $15.8 BILLION. Add in the $1.3 BILLION for special programs to accommodate non-English speaking (illegal alien) students, and the cost increases to $17.1 BILLION. The state's current budget deficit is projected to be $16 BILLION.

http://www.capsweb.org/content.php?id=30...

Posted by leftthehatebehind (anonymous) on August 9, 2008 at 7:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The jobs these immigrants are supposedly taking are factory jobs that no one else wants... who will do them? The good old American white guys sure aren't banging at the door for them!

My husband, who is white, did it for 15 years and said the Hispanics (this groups seems to hate obviously) with whom he work were some of the hardest workers. They did their jobs without complaint. If it wasn't for them Hormel's product would not get put out!

Posted by Buzzm1 (anonymous) on August 10, 2008 at 12:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Illegal immigrants are riding on the backs of American taxpayers and American workers.

The average illegal immigrant, based on calculations by the Heritage Foundation, a well known think tank, costs American taxpayers over $9,000 a year. There are over 20 million illegal immigrants in our country, and more are flooding across the border, every single day. Multiply those numbers, and the results are a staggering financial burden on American taxpayers.

Illegal immigrants, using false, forged, or stolen identities, illegally take jobs that rightfully belong to American workers.

It is against our laws for an illegal immigrant to be employed by anyone with our United States!!

It is against the law for an illegal immigrant to use a false, or forged identity, or phoney SS number, to obtain employemnt

There are presently over 8.8 million unemployed American workers, and that number is increasing with every passing day.

Americans need those jobs.

Support E-Verify so that illegals can't obtain employment within our United States.

NumbersUSA Action Buffet
http://www.numbersusa.com/actionbuffet

Posted by mnredwhiteandblue (anonymous) on August 10, 2008 at 2:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)

hate for mexicans? BE REAL! I think this could not be farther from the truth. No other county lets illegal immigrants work and receive the benifits as the us does.It is harder to get into Asia as a American to help people from starving. Then to get a job in a minnesota packing house as a illegal immigrant... THAT IS A PROBLEM!!!

Posted by okiedokie (anonymous) on August 10, 2008 at 6:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

guess what lefthehatebehind if the illegals did not do the dirty jobs for so cheap the cheap companies would be forced to pay decent wages and then the WHITE americans would do the jobs. And i think everyone is feed up with paying taxes and welfare benefits for the illegals i mean get a clue i work my butt off the way it is why should i have to pay for a bunch of illegals who are cheating the system

Posted by Greystone (anonymous) on August 11, 2008 at 1:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Do you really need to look any farther than Hormel and QP to find an answer about Illegal Immigration? It is not that, as you put it, White people do not want these jobs, but rather that these companies as an example will not hire them because they can hire immigrants at a greatly lower payscale and reduced benefit packages. Good god people wake up. There is no excuse or reason that these illegal immigrants cannot become citizens other than the fact that they are either to lazy to do so or are trying to hide their true backgrounds, which is by and large factual that they are criminals of some sort. We have enough criminals of our own in Austin, we don't need more. Just look at the Police crime reports of late. Are these fine upstanding citizens just being ste up or framed?

Posted by southernfirenice (anonymous) on August 11, 2008 at 9:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I have been to Mexico and have seen the flyers from HORMEL telling these illegals to come to Austin MN!!! Great pay, great benefits, NO TAXES!!! I guess I wouldn't have such a problem with illegals if they weren't getting the breaks that our families and ourselves have worked so hard for and can't seem to get. When was the last time any of you didn't have to pay taxes for 3 years? Or had such an easy time getting welfare? And gee, they seem to be the best dressed, drive the nicest vehicles and have the most little kids running around. Have you ever seen them open their wallets and pull out a fist full of hundreds? Maybe it because they don't have insurance on those nice cars. Who pays for that? If they work for such cheap wages, how does all this happen? And maybe if they tried, even just a little bit to learn the language, rather than we have to have bilingual teachers, nurses and everything else.

Posted by khi1964 (anonymous) on August 11, 2008 at 10:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Buzzm1 is espousing intolerance and showing his extreme ignorance. I'm surprised the Austin Daily Herald is giving him a personal forum to air his hateful views. The American midwest used to be known as a bastion of warmth and friendly people. I hope this person does not represent the views of most Minnesotans.

Posted by walkingcrow (anonymous) on August 11, 2008 at 12:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Illegal aliens = not here legallly. What other laws do you folks advocate ignoring?

Posted by 2madmamas (anonymous) on August 11, 2008 at 3 p.m. (Suggest removal)

We are concerned about the future and safety of our town for our children and grandchildren as well as surrounding communities. Wages have been kept down because Hormel and QPP have gone into Mexico advertising for jobs up here to keep the wages down. SHAME SHAME ON THE HORMEL CORPORATE for doing this to our town! At what expense?! Why are these people able to come to this town without knowing who they are exactly??? A lot of catering has been given to these people including...no taxes for 3 years, being illegal the first thing that happens when they cross the border, and our social services are handing out to people who have not paid into the system. Our ancestors came to this country and did not have norweigan nor german taught to them in the school district in order for them fit into the the American society.

A person who we know has to fix machines at the plant has run into language barriers which creates a major safety issue for all workers at the plant. The white male at the plant is discriminated against, how wrong! You want to talk about discrimination? Get real!!!

Crime has gone up ten fold since the introduction of the Mexican illegals. Our taxes which WE DO HAVE TO PAY keep going up while the wages are not keeping up. We have to pay for a jail to accomodate the rif raf. We feel like we have to live in fear which our parents never ever had to when they lived and worked in Austin. It also costs us as consumers who may have been hit and run by an illegal who has no insurance. Why are they more special than we who have built this country? Do we have no rights? Or is Hormel the only one who has the right in this town? Hormel should be footing the bill for this new jail!!! Also, paying more into the welfare system as a result of their need for the cheap labor. Yes, come into the country and contribute as an upstanding LEGAL citizen THAT IS ALL THAT WE ARE ASKING!!!

Our soldiers fought and died not to have this country become a haven for illegal people who fill our jails no matter what color they are even if they were purple, this is wrong! So anyone who defends this policy we feel are traitors to our country and those who have died protecting it!

Posted by newaustinresident (anonymous) on August 11, 2008 at 3:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Genevieve470, why did you move away from Austin anyway? I don't think this group's message is one of hate. They didn't say they hate ANYONE. They are frustrated with a problem that everyone who has the power to change is ignoring. This group going to this length was an act of frustration, not hatred. If the "powers that be" in this town, from the city officials and those in control at the major employers who solicit these workers would stand up and handle this situation, those who work here legally and legitimately would not have to endure any confrontations. Ultimately, I work very hard for what I earn and pay my share and then some, and I resent giving "freebies" to people who don't contribute anything back. We've all seen how the illegal workers draw the pay and send it directly back to mexico. What did we get out of that deal?

And what about the raid on the plant in Iowa? The INS workers were doing their job and when all was said and done, they were criticized for doing just that. The workers in that capacity need the support of our government officials to keep our workforce legitimate.

Posted by minnesotaguyincalinow (anonymous) on August 11, 2008 at 5:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

There is one easy solution to helping reduce illegal immigration. FINES for the companies that hire illegal immigrants. Don't punish the individual, punish those companies that want/need/hire people in order to make another $x in profit. Fine the companies so that it MAKES AN IMPACT ON THERE BOTTOM LINE. MAKE IT TOO FINANCIALLY RISKY FOR COMPANIES TO HIRE ILLEGALS.
However, knowing that politicians get there money from these same companies, I find it very very very unlikely that the solution will be enacted. Oh, some of these companies, are the farmers that need hands to pick there crops.
Fining strategy:
1st offense: 50% of your gross sales or $50,000 per illegal whichever is higher.
2nd offense: 6 month closure.
3rd offense: Jail for senior management.

Tell me that wouldn't be incentive.

Posted by 2madmamas (anonymous) on August 11, 2008 at 6:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Our son who is a very hard worker picked rock for a local farmer for his first job a few years ago. Guess what, he lost his job to illegals! Isn't that a fine how do you do! He did find a better job, but it certainly was a slap in the face to him! Now when a person who grew up in this country is looking for a job they are discriminated against if they don't know how to speak Spanish! This is in order to make it easier for the illegals and those who support their being here.

The drugs, the knifings, the hit and runs, and now a new very large jail to house them, where does it end? This is not about discrimination or being part of a KKK group it's about our rights which have not been heard or have been, and have been entirely ignored for the sake of profit for a very few!

We go to church and hear about how we have to open our arms to people who broke the law passing over our borders. Hello..what part of illegal don't people understand?

Guess what, those of us who have lived here our whole lives have needs too!

CEOS and their friends need to be held accountable for this problem.

Posted by minnesotaguyincalinow (anonymous) on August 11, 2008 at 6:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Once again, was it the person's fault, or the person doing the hiring that is at fault?

Posted by leftthehatebehind (anonymous) on August 11, 2008 at 9:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Austin is full of HATE.

minnesotaguyincalinow, you have a very good suggestion.

Posted by loveablenurse11 (anonymous) on August 11, 2008 at 11:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

EXCUSE ME? Some of us WHITE people did work at those crappy factory jobs and were minorities! Minorities in OUR OWN HOME TOWN! I applaud the person who takes a stand. Besides that, the illigial ones can't understand it anyway! It is not about hatred for mexicans, or any other person who is not american. It is about unfair treatment for all people. How many WHITE people have been denied help or jobs only to find almost every non-american citizen getting help? Go into the Human Services office, the WIC office and count the ratio between whites and others that are getting help. It is PATHETIC that the citizens of AMERICA, the ones who are BORN americans are jobless and yet can't get help for their families, and yet every foreign person U see drives a new car, has a nice home and uses EBT cards....

Posted by 2madmamas (anonymous) on August 12, 2008 at 7:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Minnesotaguyincalnow...you are correct, it is absoulutely the person who entices the workers across the border away from their homeland who has caused this situation!

You know it doesn't even come down to white, black, brown, green, orange or even purple...it comes down to..has a person entered through legal channels. Which, leftthehatebehind you infer that our ancestors did not come in legally, guess what, I have the paperwork from over a century ago when they crossed the boat from Norway to prove it! How about we go door to door in Austin and find out how many can say and produce the same?

This is an important point to make...do you know what the criminal records may be in those homes? Do you know if there have been identities stolen? Do you know if the person is wanted for an outstanding arrest here or elsewhere? The reasons go on and on to make sure we have legal citizens in our midst. I would hope even the corporate people could figure that one out, and maybe just maybe put their greedy motives aside for a minute to think about it!

My Norweigan ancestors HAD to prove they did not have disease or were criminals before they got on the boat. They had to learn English in order to function in this country, they didn't have anyone telling the people who were already here that the current US citizens had to learn Norweigan in order to make it easier for my ancestors!

Posted by southernfirenice (anonymous) on August 12, 2008 at 9:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)

leftthehatebehind - how dare you judge anyone?!! Not one person said they hated anyone and your self rightousness is bordering on annoying. If you think we that have our opinions are all a bunch of haters then maybe YOU should leave our USA. When you go though You will be the one having to learn the new language, because we are the only nation that is making everyone learn Spanish. If you can't take opinions then maybe you should just leave. Or are you mad because people are stating the TRUTH!! But what good will it do, nothing gets done, Hormel owns Austin and they are happy with the way things are going. But it does feel good to know that other people feel the same way I do.

Posted by milesaway (anonymous) on August 12, 2008 at 7:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

First off I think the Herald is wrong for letting people talk about anyone the way you people are.
Second - You need to learn how illegals get welfare because their children are born here the children are US citizens.(same if you have a child in their country your child is their citizen) so we are required to give at least medical and food if needed.
Third - If they come here and work give them a visa so they can work honestly and pay their own taxes.
Fourth - While you are all complaining I have NEVER seen a US Citizen say I didn't pay in that much in taxes. Remember as you say they are using false ID's.
Fifth - Did you watch the news tonight?? Well guess what another 66 workers in Winona lost their jobs (not all white) so the company could move to Guess where Ya Mexico. This is not the only company moving to Mexico.
Stop complaining and look at what our government is doing to us while they have you preoccupied with illegals.
Oh one more thing what about the Sumalians, Cubians, and all the others that get free taxes, food stamps, housing, and what ever else.
Do your homework check it out what is the difference between illegals and immigants??

Posted by 2madmamas (anonymous) on August 13, 2008 at 12:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)

They are checked out before they come into the country!
As I said before, this is not about white, black, brown, green or purple...it's about doing the right thing. Obviously and it has been obvious for a long time, many people think they are above the law. Some even hit school buses and kill 4 children, then claim they didn't do it. Some hit a car and run and don't have insurance, because they'd rather put it into a fancy car. Some like to drag cocaine, marijuana etc..into town. Some like to carry their knives and use them occasionally. The list goes on and on.

And yes, you are right our government is doing a terrible job with keeping jobs here, and saving jobs for legal citizens. This country is going to the rich and leaving the rest of us behind...both legal and illegal! The illegals are being used in order to keep wages low..I would hope this would bother them, to know that a company thinks so little of them not to pay them what they are worth, because working in the plant is hard work!

Ask yourself this, if you sneak into this country without documentation or false documentation are you an honest citizen of this country? The first thing you did when you stepped into this country was break the law.

If you are milesaway then you have no idea the change in the crime rate in Austin since the Hormel company decided to advertise for workers across the border.

The Herald is doing a wonderful job of keeping the First Amendment Right alive. I applaud there efforts! This is what our soldiers have fought to keep alive. So don't go trying to take away my or anyone's first amendment right. This after all is AMERICA!

Posted by milesaway (anonymous) on August 13, 2008 at 9:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)

First I know for a fact their are several white drug dealers in Austin, MN. I know for a Fact Whitew people in Austin, MN. do cause alot of crime. I know first hand how the law system in Austin, Mn. convicts white people in Austin, MN. before they convict others. Get a clue not only are the Mexicans illegals but look at all the other colors around you. I know some Cuba men in this wonderful town who were bought here from Cuba prisons due to overcrowding and were gave a green card and visa but you don't complain about them. It must be nice to live in Austin, MN. all your life and be a shallow person.

Posted by freeroll (anonymous) on August 13, 2008 at 9:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Once you make these illegals aliens citizens they won't take those low paying jobs, so the employers will start importing more illegals starting the cycle all over again. What part of illegal don't you understand?
A good clearinghouse for illegal immigration news is http://www.idexer.com/.

Posted by 2madmamas (anonymous) on August 13, 2008 at 9:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)

milesaway...sounds like you would be a good person for the INS to start with you could point the way! Yes, there has always been a small amount of crime in Austin, until the past decade, NOW there is a major amount of crime. Being as I don't run in your circles you obviously have more of a handle on whose who in the world of crime in Austin. The police may want to have a word with you too! You seem to really know your stuff! I'm truly impressed!

Posted by milesaway (anonymous) on August 15, 2008 at 10:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

2madmamas... I have to give you a hand that you are so blind to what actually goes on in this town. I guess if the police really wanted to open this town up they would start at the parking lot checking cars, at some of the stores on side streets to see what is going on after hours. Maybe check some of the police, lawyers, and all the people they deal with daily. Maybe you. And maybe just maybe instead of condeming others which all of you are doing you would look around at Austin and help the police with the drugs and crime. I remember growing up in Austin, we never locked our doors, never worried about walking after dark. Look at the papers at all the white people from Austin who are in prison or jail for molesting, stealing, whatever. Don't judge a book by its cover until you actually have been there. Sorry I refuse to answer to anymore people who think they live in glass houses.

Posted by taco (anonymous) on August 18, 2008 at 3:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)

What craziness. I love America, and yes I am Mexican. I am a legal citizen and I DO, I DO, I DO, condemn anyone of any background to come to my country illegally. It just so happens the bulk of them are hispanic, but any Japanese, African, Italians or Swedes here illegally must go too. This is an issue, just put your children into our schools with a "high" number of students who cant speak english and are way behind. How can the school efficiently teach our kids if they are spending all their resources catching up the kids who are brought here faster than we can adjust for.

There is a reason that you must register to enter this country.

First we need to know what your intent is here and what your background is. Of course we dont want terrorists or criminals we have plenty of our own.

Second we cant just have people flooding in as fast as they want, we need a slower paced movement into our country to help keep infrastructure and resources to a managable ratio.

Imagine increasing the population of a town by 10% in a matter of a few of years without having the time or funds to pay for increased teachers, police force, jail space, housing, hospital and health resources, parks, roads, etc.

This is not a hate issue, it is a problem that needs to be solved. I dont think anyone against illegal immigration hates an the illegal. They and I are just completely exhausted that this is being taken as a non-issue by our officials. The illegals do not know better, they are just trying to make a better life.

What is going to happen in the end if we just ignor the issue, the cycle will repeat and these people who come here illegally will be in the same situation that we are today.

I could go on forever but I have a cramp.

Posted by 2madmamas (anonymous) on August 18, 2008 at 8:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Amen and dido to you TACO! I hope you have recovered from your cramp! I do feel badly for hispanic/americans such as yourself ...this situation must just be making your lives difficult, hang in there!

Posted by 2madmamas (anonymous) on August 18, 2008 at 9:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)

milesaway...I hope you truly take a look at what TACO wrote
I am not in a glass house...I am in the guts of Austin and I am seeing all of it play out right in front of me. The illegals are pawns for the wealthy. Everyone in this town needs to behave and act legally..no matter what color or nationality or economic level! I guess a person can only dream, but hey as Martin Luther King said, "I have a dream!"

Posted by MarvelousMisadventures (anonymous) on August 26, 2008 at 7:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

@2madmamas

LOL! You're referencing MLK, the prominent leader in the CIVIL RIGHTS movement! Are you being deliberately obtuse?

Posted by MarvelousMisadventures (anonymous) on August 26, 2008 at 8:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)

@2madmamas & Taco

I'm willing to bet that if you'd actually run into "Taco" in person, you WOULD NOT speak to him. To you, he would be "another illegal who can't speak a drop of English" because he is Mexican. How do you tell the difference between Mexican-American and "Illegal aliens", I'm curious?!

Taco, you're telling me, that you've never had "hate issues" happen to you in Austin. Don't kid yourself. Many Austin residents judge by the color of someone's skin, and that's the TRUTH!

Did your ancestors/relatives come here legally Taco? Please clarify.