Just weird

[Tink]

We have seen a large number of Mexican immigrants in our area in the past year or 2. They come to work in 2 good sized manufacturing companies. In order to cash their paychecks, they come into our bank. We've tried to be lenient while stayng within the guidelines of the law. For them to open an account, they must show certain forms of identification. Some of the things we're seeing are just crazy!

One came in with a social security card that was registered to a 43 yr old dead woman. HE was maybe 25 and looked quite alive! Another came in with a drivers license that we'd seen used just days before by another man. We have to assume that they're not legal documents and could place the bank in a bad spot if we accept them.

My old manager used to allow those who were able to get accounts to cash checks for those who couldn't... by signing and depositing them into their own accounts. They would them withdraw cash and give it to their friend. Now some payroll checks have come up missing at the companies they work at, so we've been asked not to cash any checks for people without accounts and proof of ID.

I feel bad for these people. They are allowed to work, rent houses, and are trying to build lives for themselves here, but they can't cash their paychecks! I understand they're most likely illegal immigrants, but they too have families to feed. Part of my job is to write new accounts, so I am now having to turn these folks down. :( I don't enjoy this part of my job at all. I'm half expecting to be told we need to turn these people in next. I don't know if I could do it.

So am I blind? Should I be less compassionate about illegal immigrants?
How would you feel in my shoes?

[Janet]

This is a very touchy subject in our town. Thing of it is...the one's that are here illegally, continue to break the law by using fake ID's and committing other crimes.

Our town has isn't safe anymore. We had our first drive-by shootings this year and the stabbings and fights are growing by leaps and bounds. According to the legal reports in the paper they all have spanish names. I don't know what to think.

I have no problem with them coming here legally to do better for themselves and their families......

I guess that's all I'd better say....like I said...it's a touchy subject in our town and with me.

[blowry]

We have seen a large number of Mexican immigrants in our area in the past year or 2. They come to work in 2 good sized manufacturing companies. In order to cash their paychecks, they come into our bank. We've tried to be lenient while stayng within the guidelines of the law. For them to open an account, they must show certain forms of identification. Some of the things we're seeing are just crazy!

One came in with a social security card that was registered to a 43 yr old dead woman. HE was maybe 25 and looked quite alive! Another came in with a drivers license that we'd seen used just days before by another man. We have to assume that they're not legal documents and could place the bank in a bad spot if we accept them.

My old manager used to allow those who were able to get accounts to cash checks for those who couldn't... by signing and depositing them into their own accounts. They would them withdraw cash and give it to their friend. Now some payroll checks have come up missing at the companies they work at, so we've been asked not to cash any checks for people without accounts and proof of ID.

I feel bad for these people. They are allowed to work, rent houses, and are trying to build lives for themselves here, but they can't cash their paychecks! I understand they're most likely illegal immigrants, but they too have families to feed. Part of my job is to write new accounts, so I am now having to turn these folks down. :( I don't enjoy this part of my job at all. I'm half expecting to be told we need to turn these people in next. I don't know if I could do it.

So am I blind? Should I be less compassionate about illegal immigrants?
How would you feel in my shoes?


I COULD really go to town with this one but,,,,,I am a nice person so, I won't....
Ask to see their green card!!! Bet they won't be back!


Sorry if I sound rude but this is one of those subjects that I try to stay away from...some things just really bother me and this type stuff is right on top of my list.

[Janet]

I COULD really go to town with this one but,,,,,I am a nice person so, I won't....
Ask to see their green card!!! Bet they won't be back!


Sorry if I sound rude but this is one of those subjects that I try to stay away from...some things just really bother me and this type stuff is right on top of my list.


I'm glad I'm not the only one!!! :mad:

[blowry]

I'm glad I'm not the only one!!! :mad:


No, you're not Janet...I totaly agree with you about being legal...but, what really irritates me is this...I have been looking for a job since May...and I can't get find one! And I AM legal...And illegal immigrants are working!! ?????Like you, this is a very touchy subject with me so, with that said I will stop right here...I like this site alot and don't want to get banned from it.

[Tink]

What bothers me, is that I know all too well that my own ancestors came here in hope of a better life from another country too. They came 100 years ago, but they were immigrants. The ones who are native here, aren't the ones who are complaining about the immigrants. They recognize that that's a battle they can't win. The barn door's been open too long.

How many would want the jobs the immigrants do? Here they fill a man-power shortage this rural area can't fill. I know very few Americans who would want to work on the kill floor or evisceration line at the local chicken factory. The line is filled with Mexicans. They load trucks with huge furniture pieces on their backs... I know few Americans who would be willing to do that heavy work. I don't see them taking jobs away from the locals here, but filling the spots the locals don't want to do.

I know we're blessed by having been born in our great country... but I don't know how we can justify saying there's no room for more. We have so much that others don't simply because of our good fortune at being born here.

I agree that they should be coming here legally. I don't know what difference it would make in the long run, but illegal is illegal and it's wrong. I do know the ones I've worked with at the bank have been decent to me even when I have to turn them down. I treat them with respect and they've returned the same so far.

I realize many feel as you do about this. I hear similar and far worse said here too. I guess I'm just odd in that I can't begrudge someone for wanting what we have for their own families. As long as they're willing to work for it like we do, I'm inclined to let 'em.

[Emmsmom]

OMG! Let me be nice and say if they are illegal they need to go back home PERIOD! They don't deserve any breaks!!! NONE. If they can't come over here the legal way then they shouldn't be here at all!! I am really tired of hard working AMERICANS loosing jobs to them. I am not talkng about simple jobs either. Here they are taking hard working construction jobs. Let's just say that they are lucky they have you there. I would be much harder on them. I would request green cards and if they didn't have them then I would threaten to call INS on them.

I know this place was built on immigrants... B ut to be honest as wrong as it may be .... I am sick and tired of seeing soooo many illegals running around my
town!!!!!

[khardy57]

I feel sorry for some of them, but if they're not legal, they don't need to be here.

[tumblnstar]

yes i do feel bad.. by the example that the other people set for them by doing it illegally...and im tired of them not paying taxes.. thats why im on the board for the FAIR TAX bill... it would make it possible for everyone to have to pay taxes...illegal immigrants..drug dealers...everyone that way this country wouldnt be so lop sided lol...you have givers and takers in america...theres no equal ground and this bill would make it that way.

[Willow]

So is this one of those heated debate topics??? lolol

Well, I hope it won't get me in trouble, but my opinion of it all is they need to go back where they came from! My husband and I are both natural born citizens and we are struggling in our own country!! These illegals come to America to better THEMSELVES because they struggle in THEIR country! So they come here and take our jobs and force those of us who are NATURAL BORN CITIZENS to struggle! They have their children here, they sometimes are willing to work for less than minimum wage (I mean, who are they going to complain to? They aren't LEGAL so they get into bigger trouble if they bitch about their pay!) and then those money greeder company owners will look the other way and hire them so they can get by with cheap labor.

They come here and give birth to their children on our welfare system. They collect our ADC and Foodstamps, but yet THEY never paid in on the taxes that are now paying for them to eat and live.

We have bent over backwards and took it up the ass while everything is now presented in Spanish for our illegal neighbors to understand. Our holidays are now politically correct because these foreigners have come over and screamed discrimination or you offend me because we don't celebrate that holiday.

Our national anthem IS SUNG IN SPANISH????!!!! WTF IS WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE???!!!

Well dammit, I am going to move to Mexico and I expect their goverment to pay for my food, medical, my living expenses and translate everything into English so I can continue to live as a US citizen in Mexico WITHOUT citizenship IN Mexico. Did you know that in order to even qualify to MOVE to mexico you have to have to be financially stable and able to support yourself to the tune of 60K USD????!!!!

GET THE F**K out!!! I am tired of supporting their sorry illegal butts! This is MY country and I want it to be here the way our founding fathers meant for it to be when my kids are grown. Lady Liberty is no longer asking for your poor and starving families. She is screaming LEAVE MY COUNTRY ALONE. YOU GOT YOUR OWN AND I AM TIRED OF SHARING AND BEING GENEROUS AND I AM TIRED OF BREAKING MY COUNTRY TO SUPPORT YOURS!!!

Ok sorry, rant done....please forgive me....

[Emmsmom]

Amen!!!

[Janet]

So is this one of those heated debate topics??? lolol

You bet it is!!! I just better stay away from this one, because I wouldn't come out looking very good. Besides it does make me sad to feel the way I do about it, but the anger takes over the sadness!

[Gutu28]

Well guys, I guess I am being thrown out by all of you then!! I am one of those god awful illegal immigrants! I moved here from Romania when I was 6 and we filed for political asylum within the next month in order to appy for a green card. Well let me tell you, our status is still "pending." I am 22 years old now. My parents have worked SOO hard to get to where we are. They went to night school at the local church to learn English. They each had two jobs. They worked a lot harder than some natural born citizens have to get my family to where we are now. My parents, brother and I each have to pay over $150 a YEAR to be able to work here. They were able to get my brother and I into college. I can gurantee yall that a majority of the jobs that immigrants do have been passed over by citizens (whose ancestors immigrated here just like the current generation is trying to, but that's already been pointed out). Try living in a third world country and then complain about others trying to better their life. My 70 year old grandmother had to stand in line for milk and meat when I was younger. I had never even see a banana when I moved here. I am completely crushed by the lack of compassion shown on this board for people who are trying to give their children opportunities that their home country does not have available. I might not be the "typical mexican immigrant" but I am an immigrant and I dont have a greencard..so by definition I am illegal. But you know what? We pay our taxes and we have worked very very hard for what we have now. Sorry, but I get heated over this, too. Maybe yall should think about putting yourself in someone elses shoes. And not be so selfish with the opportunities that your (immigrant) ancestors provided.

[Marilyn]

Gutu28, don't be offended by these ladies. Your situation is somewhat different than what they are discussing here. Your family was seeking political assylum, and both your parents worked hard to get where you are. What they did was commendable.

What is happening with the Mexican immigrants is somewhat different. Some of them are coming here for the same reason as your parents, and they are hard workers and are trying to become citizens. Most of us would cut them some slack.

The majority of Mexican illegals are trying to get here to get on our welfare system. We see this first hand in South Texas. Young women are crossing the border having children and getting their WIC cards. Many of them think that's the way things work here. That we all get WIC cards when we have babies. It's an American priviledge. Our schools along the borders are full of illegal children. The men work at labor jobs that pay just enough to get by, and the women do not work, they stay home and keep having babies who are American citizens and collect welfare. Many of the men drink and get into trouble. Not all, but you are seeing it up north, the majority of the people getting into trouble have Mexican names. Most of our murders are Mexicans.

We need desperately to amend the constitution with regard to granting American citizenship by simply being born on our soil. The mother should be a citizen for the child to be a citizen.

[Gina]

I just like to add that we are all children of immigrants at one time. Our ancestors came here and went through the right channels to become citizens. They took jobs that no one wanted and were paid low wages. There were no senators or congressmen giving them aid, such as food stamps or welfare or medical. They had to bust they butts to provide for their families. Yet you didn't hear them complaining about being discriminated. We spoke about this issue before, all I can add to this topic is that these people who hire the immgriants should be paying them cash , off the books. Not by check. I am not against the immigrants, but I feel they should assilimate into our society the way our ancestors have, This is the land of the free and I am so tired of every nationality claiming discrimination of some sort. We are the minority today and we have to conform to all. It is disgusting, with all the issues we have America has become the laughing stock.

[Emmsmom]

Gutu28, don't be offended by these ladies. Your situation is somewhat different than what they are discussing here. Your family was seeking political assylum, and both your parents worked hard to get where you are. What they did was commendable.

What is happening with the Mexican immigrants is somewhat different. Some of them are coming here for the same reason as your parents, and they are hard workers and are trying to become citizens. Most of us would cut them some slack.

The majority of Mexican illegals are trying to get here to get on our welfare system. We see this first hand in South Texas. Young women are crossing the border having children and getting their WIC cards. Many of them think that's the way things work here. That we all get WIC cards when we have babies. It's an American priviledge. Our schools along the borders are full of illegal children. The men work at labor jobs that pay just enough to get by, and the women do not work, they stay home and keep having babies who are American citizens and collect welfare. Many of the men drink and get into trouble. Not all, but you are seeing it up north, the majority of the people getting into trouble have Mexican names. Most of our murders are Mexicans.

We need desperately to amend the constitution with regard to granting American citizenship by simply being born on our soil. The mother should be a citizen for the child to be a citizen.


:thumbup: You also have to realize that you are paying $150 dollars to be able to work here. Illegals DON"T. I think there is a huge difference in what we are talking about. Our little town just busted 60 ILLEGAL mexicans for cocaine!!!:eek:

As for the jobs ... well not all jobs are being passed over by Americans. Take a look at this link.


http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6626823


We have a ton of construction jobs here being given to illegal mexicans because they get paid under the table tax free. I am not taling about small jobs. I am talking about building homes. There are a ton of homeless people if given the chance would work. But with so many mexicans coming over and taking the jobs CHEAP they get looked over.

I also don't agree about getting paid only cash. If they are paid by check then the comapny has to report it and then in turn the person being paid has to pay taxes. My husband has to pay taxes as well as everyone else. They too should be made to pay them. If they want welfare then it is only fair they pay their part.

I am sorry you feel we are talking about you situation but I don't see it that way. You have filed the paper work and even pay a fee to work here. People that are ILLEGAL don't even bother.

[Janet]

Gutu29, I read your post early this morning before my bus route. I did not respond then, because I wanted to have time to think about what I wanted to say. When I got back, Marilyn and Gina had already responded and I could not think of one thing they hadn't mentioned. They did a great job explaining how most feel. Please do not feel offended in any way...your circumstances are so completely different.

[Willow]

I want to apologise to Gutu29. You are trying to do things the RIGHT way and in no way does my post apply to you. I am very sorry if my post offended you.

I would also like to add that I am a descendant of Quantum Parker, who was one of the last Comanche indian chiefs forced onto a reservation. MY people were here before ANY immigrants...and my ancestors were forced onto reservations. I have ancestors that were both here before the immigrants came and I have ancestors thet migrated here LEGALLY and worked hard just like you are doing to become citizens and raise their children here.

My husband and I live in a small community and the local farmers and ranchers are all hiring illegal mexicans who work for less than minimum wage. There are no American employees. That is what upsets me. My husband would work for those farmers, but because he expects at the very least to be paid minimum wage, he is not hired. Or when he DID work for the one dairy farm he was the only American and he would get into trouble for the mexicans mistakes who didn't speak any English and then would laugh at my husband when they managed to get him into hot water with the boss.

Again, I apologise for the harshness of my earlier post. Please do not take it to mean you. You are not an illegal, not when you have the paperwork filed and you are doing what the goverment asks of you to work in our country. That is the way they should ALL do it.

And I am glad you got to go to College! I am sure your parents love you a great deal and worked very hard and honestly to give you that chance, and that is the most wonderful gift that any parent could give their child!

[Ponyup]

I have no problem with people finding refuge in the united states. I do however, think that they should be required to learn the language, not be eligible for our welfare system, & not require that we change our traditions & customs to fit theres. If I moved to Mexio I would be expected to learn Spanish & adapt to their way of life. Why are we any different?

[Tink]

Wisconsin doesn't have welfare... maybe that's one of the reasons I see this differently than many of you. Here welfare was replaced by workfare. If you want help you must be working a minimum of 20 hrs a week to qualify. A married couple applying must BOTH work at least 20 hrs a week. If you can't find work, they will find it for you and you either take it or you go without.

I just can't understand how anyone can feel that any nationality is more entitled than another. There are good and bad people in every group. We all have our share of deadbeats who refuse to work, but in the local mexican population I don't see them. These people who come to my bank are working very hard for their checks and then can't cash them!

Several of them are learning english and proudly show me the progress they've made when they come into the bank. One young man asks often if his pronunciation is improving... and then laughed when I was trying to learn how to say his name (Juvenal which is pronounced hubenaal) because he said americans can't say it. I was determined to, since I don't want to keep thinking of him as Juvenile... LOL which is the closest I was able to get without his help.

Truly, the Mexicans I come into contact with are trying... and are building relationships with us in the process. It makes me sad and a bit embarrassed to have to keep saying no to their efforts. The whole situation is just a bit weird for a Wisconsin farm girl to get a grip on. I wish they were all LEGAL so it just wasn't an issue.

[Gina]

Gutu29, I also like Janet had to think before I posted on this forum again. First do not that feel offended. I am italian american decent. The italians were shunned by also many years ago. They came into this country but legally though they had to be sponsored by someone living in the US. They didnt know the language either. It was very hard. I am speaking not only for my family but for many italians. They came through Ellis Island in NYC. They were branded as WOPS, without papers is its translation. I hate that word it is so degrading. They were shunned out of big corporations, and laughed upon and called grease balls etc. my uncles were not allowed to go to college unless your family could pay your way. Be happy that the laws have changed and the foriengers today get everything. The italians were always hard working people, and they never took anything from anyone. The american dream was for them to own their own home. In which they worked hard and achieved. They paid their retrobution to society. So I to feel when different enthics groups come to this country and they feel they deserve to get benefits it does bother me big time. I was born and raised in this country and I am a proud American. I don't want anyone to take what I said out of context I am just explaining to Gutu29 that she should not feel that way because others before her suffered too..As long as you go through the right channel you to have every right to belong here..

[Marilyn]

Tink, do they not have check cashing companies in Wisconsin?? Here we have companies like "Mr. Payroll" who will cash most any check for a fee. The illegals, people in trouble with the IRS or in trouble with bill collectors use these companies. There are several in our town. No problem getting a check cashed without a bank account here, just have to pay 8% or so.

[khardy57]

I also had to think about this before responding. My ancestors were Cherokee indian and Irish. The Cherokee were decimated on the infamous Trail of Tears and the Irish were discrimiated against when they first came to America.

I spent 10 years as a single parent and was unable to receive any type of public assistance because my ex had my children on his insurance. I lived for 2 years on $50.00/week so I could go back to school. I know all about hard times and I resent seeing people who are here illegally receiving what I was unable to.

Your situation is definitely different because your parents went about it the right way.

[Tink]

Marilyn, we don't have anything like that here. We have to drive 35 miles to get to any city bigger than 2500 people. We have 3 banks and a credit union in town, but they all require similar things to open an account and won't cash a check with out one.

[Marilyn]

Marilyn, we don't have anything like that here. We have to drive 35 miles to get to any city bigger than 2500 people. We have 3 banks and a credit union in town, but they all require similar things to open an account and won't cash a check with out one.

Someone is bound to start a business like this soon in your area, if it's legal in your state. Where there is demand, supply will shortly follow.

[Gutu28]

As some of yall hopefully understand, I get very emotional when people stereotype immigrants. It is a lot harder to get citizenship that most people think. True, a lot of illegal immigrants are Mexican, but it is a lot easier to walk across the border than to fly from somewhere else. We had to sell EVERYthing to be able to pay for the flight here. My parents even sold their wedding bands. For some reason that always gets me.. I dont want it to sound like im making excuses for the illegal immigrants that are committing all these criminal acts. But I wish people would remember that all the good things dont make the news. It it's the bad things that are being reported. Even though I am an immigrant, I too get peeved at all the Spanish signs popping everywhere and everyone claimin discrimination. I only wish that people would keep in mind that there are other immigrants besides that ones that steal government money and American jobs. There are those of us who work for what we have. You know what, when we first came here, my parents were hired illegally. They were paid out of payroll. But it was those that gave them the chance to work that we owe our success to.

On another note..I dont think you guys were purposely trying to offend myself or anyone else. I just wish that people would look at the large picture instead of specific cases..

[Marilyn]

As some of yall hopefully understand, I get very emotional when people stereotype immigrants. It is a lot harder to get citizenship that most people think. True, a lot of illegal immigrants are Mexican, but it is a lot easier to walk across the border than to fly from somewhere else. We had to sell EVERYthing to be able to pay for the flight here. My parents even sold their wedding bands. For some reason that always gets me.. I dont want it to sound like im making excuses for the illegal immigrants that are committing all these criminal acts. But I wish people would remember that all the good things dont make the news. It it's the bad things that are being reported. Even though I am an immigrant, I too get peeved at all the Spanish signs popping everywhere and everyone claimin discrimination. I only wish that people would keep in mind that there are other immigrants besides that ones that steal government money and American jobs. There are those of us who work for what we have. You know what, when we first came here, my parents were hired illegally. They were paid out of payroll. But it was those that gave them the chance to work that we owe our success to.

On another note..I dont think you guys were purposely trying to offend myself or anyone else. I just wish that people would look at the large picture instead of specific cases..

Let me tell you a little about specific cases that show we are not catagorizing all immigrants into one category. We all know that here are good immigrants, or at least some of us do. Much of my family has only been here for two to three generations. My father spoke German and Spanish before starting school and learning English. While I have a problem with some of the immigrants who are taking advantage of us and our welfare system, I personally have three close friends who are very recent immigrants. All have been here less than three years. One from Russia, one from Hungary, and one who was actually an illegal from Mexico. The Russian and Hungarian are women who met American men who are close friends of ours and moved here legally to marry them. Both these ladies have Social Security Numbers, driver's licenses. They are wonderful ladies who are contributing to our society. The third, the Mexican immigrant, initially came here illegally, not actually knowing any better. She found out though when she met and married the son of some friends of ours who immediately began the steps to try to change her situation to a legal one. She is taking English language classes and once she understood is doing all she can to get her situation straightened out by working with an immigration lawyer and taking steps to eventually become a citizen. Her situation is much different and much more difficult than the ladies who came here legally. However, there is a lot of paperwork and expense for all three of them, but they are working within our legal system, paying their own way and not taking advantage of our government and the people of this country.

We don't mean to generalize here, but it is frustrating when we know that there are many coming here who are putting a drain on our social system. We all just want to live a happy peaceful life, be able to raise our children in a safe and healthy environment, send them to college if they so desire, and have a comfortable retirement. We want to help others, and as a whole are a very generous people, but there does come a point when we feel our generosity is being taken advantage of, and many of us who are close to the borders where we've seen the growing problem for many years now are becoming very concerned, and yes, a little resentful. Today at the grocery store, I had trouble finding the right Ziploc storage bags because the writing on the box was in Spanish. I finally found the English side and got the right bags. Sorry if I'm rambling, but it is frustrating. Peace to all.

[Miss_Sara]

I didn't bother reading this because I don't care.
I live in southern california
I live in the valley in an upper middle class community

but just over the road (not even 5 minutes from my house)
every sign and eveyr person speaks spanish.
This is ridiculous

yes we WERE immigrants at one time
but I know my family struggled soo had to learn english. THIS is what they should do, to be honest, if they acted like my ancestors acted, I'd have no problem! I'm not against immigration, my father is an immigrant from South Africa!

I'm polish, my family struggled when they came here. so should they.

AND did you know
More people are killed everyday by an illegal than soldiers die in Iraq.

that's a serious fact.
and I actually had a friend shot by an illegal gang member (btw most of the gangs that are here originated in Mexico) and it isn't fair that he faced paralysis wh ile this guy went on dealing drugs and rapeing women.

[Miss_Sara]

I didn't bother reading this because I don't care.
I live in southern california
I live in the valley in an upper middle class community

but just over the road (not even 5 minutes from my house)
every sign and eveyr person speaks spanish.
This is ridiculous

yes we WERE immigrants at one time
but I know my family struggled soo had to learn english. THIS is what they should do, to be honest, if they acted like my ancestors acted, I'd have no problem! I'm not against immigration, my father is an immigrant from South Africa!

I'm polish, my family struggled when they came here. so should they.

AND did you know
More people are killed everyday by an illegal than soldiers die in Iraq.[/

that's a serious fact.
and I actually had a friend shot by an illegal gang member (btw most of the gangs that are here originated in Mexico) and it isn't fair that he faced paralysis wh ile this guy went on dealing drugs and rapeing women.

(I just read a bit back, in my school there are a lot of asian illegals mainly phillipino, I don't like this either. sorry. but it's just wrong. Any illegal immigration is wrong, my best friend and her mom came here like 10 years ago, My Dad came here about 20 years ago. So they did it legally. Even though they were in other countires. Ofcourse I DO understand if you live in N. Korea. Then by all means....)