[Kosh]

You counting Maryland too then? Because you ought to. If not for some constitutionally questionable actions on Lincoln's part Maryland would have seceded. Much the same could be said about Pennslyvania.

I am talking about the ones who actually did succeed. And exactly what are these "constitutionally questionable" actions?

[ionia23]

What an interesting and totally inefficient means of combatting illegal immigration.

Combatting it is very easy to do.

1.  Seal the damned border already.
2.  Implement a fair work visa program so people can not only come and work here legally but be protected under the same laws that registered citizens are concerning taxing, wages, social security, overtime, etc.

incidentally, both of these have to be in effect in order to work.  Going xenophobe isn't going to cut it.

[WMCoolmon]

Whatever happened to the work visa talked about during the election?

You counting Maryland too then? Because you ought to. If not for some constitutionally questionable actions on Lincoln's part Maryland would have seceded. Much the same could be said about Pennslyvania.

I am talking about the ones who actually did succeed. And exactly what are these "constitutionally questionable" actions?

Deploying armed forces without the authorization of Congress, IIRC.

[ionia23]

Whatever happened to the work visa talked about during the election?

That's a very good question as it was one the only points Bush made that I thought was a good idea.  I'm telling you, not a thing has changed out here in the border states, except maybe that some people's attitudes twords the Mexicans is a bit more hostile.  No signifigant border improvements, no work visas, nothing.

[Flipside]

I think it's a similar problem to the UK, as in, whilst the Government adopts an official position of being against illegal immigration etc, they also rely to a certain extent on the avilability of cheap labour to get all those nasty jobs done, so a blind eye is turned to a certain extent. Oddly enough, those that register themselves and go through the correct channels are far more likely to be kicked out of the country in the early hours of the morning than those who don't.

[aldo_14]

I think it's a similar problem to the UK, as in, whilst the Government adopts an official position of being against illegal immigration etc, they also rely to a certain extent on the avilability of cheap labour to get all those nasty jobs done, so a blind eye is turned to a certain extent. Oddly enough, those that register themselves and go through the correct channels are far more likely to be kicked out of the country in the early hours of the morning than those who don't.

Including being hauled off and bundled on a plane to South Africa 2 days before Christmas.  Or trying to deport an 11 year old on a 4 month visit to see his father.  Or the ****ing disgrace of Dungavel, where we chuck kids into what is effectively a prison.