No, tjncj, I'm saying that Mexico must be HELL. (for the people legally coming here from Mexico to put up with the negative comments and still want to be here)

The US is not necessarily doing everything right, but I wouldn't give up my right to free speech for anything.

Ms_Sassy, what do you mean, that the US is a bad place to live? Why don't you go to Haiti and try it a while if you don't like it here.

In honor of Cinco de Mayo (which, of course, is not celebrated by all Hispanics)... for all the posts of wherein people simply say 'ship them back', etc., it is simply impossible. There is no way the US could: 1. logistically accomplish it; 2. afford it. I am personally against it. I think the images of families being split up from factory raids are just heart wrenching. While there is some data to support illegal immigrants going to emergency rooms occasionally (usually because of needed services that are long overdue and have grown complicated), the vast number of illegal immigrants do not make use of public services for fear of detection. I support some form of amnesty because I think that practically speaking it is the only plausible option. I agree with the other posters that a lot of what we see is nothing more than racism. For an interesting, witty read on the illegal immigrant experience, give Tortilla Curtain a try. I'm sure it is available at Hedberg.

The US Census Bureau and all government grants require documenting the populations served and offers designations between white (of Hispanic origin) and white (not of Hispanic origin), as well as black, Native American/Indian, etc.

There are many Hispanics who are legally in the US who originate from Puerto Rico, Cuba, Brazil, etc. Every Hispanic person you meet is not just here illegally from Mexico! Many have done what they needed to do to establish their legal status and STILL want to stay here, despite the abuse they receive from people with negative and "trash" talk. Imagine what it must be like to live there, if they want to stay HERE that badly!

When did Mexican become a race? Are they conducting some genetic experiments down there that I am unaware of? What some people are expressing is nationalism, not racism.

P.S.
The gazette reporter provided a time line in this story starting in the year 2000. I submit, that during that same time, identity theft has risen right along with the increase.

2 + 2 = 4

If they are here legally & working, helping support the economy, I say Great.. If they're here illegally, using someone else's Social Security number, stealing, getting government benefits just because our government to damn stupid not to give it to them, then i say lets start throwing their butts where they belong (JAIL). Sooner or later its going to come to that, & I hope its sooner

whythink, perhaps you misunderstood me. I am hoping the hatred and racially charged dialog will stop! I am hoping to see a more inviting and welcoming community.

I for one, know that some of my relatives' are named on Ellis Island. I am proud that my family forefathers wanted better for their families than they had in some of the European countries. I don't know enough about Immigration Law to have an educated solution, I just know that many of the Hispanic population have the same goals and dreams that my forefathers did. It is a shame that there is such negativity and community-wide conversations that damage and divide a community, instead of working together for the same purpose, that of an economically sound, healthy and diverse city fit for our children and grandchildren.

ms_sassy_wi
How many of our ancestors came to this country legally?

I wonder how the Native Americans would answer that question. I agree something must be done about illegal immigration but the hatred of those desperately trying to find a better life and willing to take the risk to perhaps find it in America doesn't make sense to me.

This, again, is bad timing...coming off of the Edgerton School Spanish class reciting the Pledge of Allegiance in Spanish...

We wouldn't be having an issue with any of this except for the fact that we are talking about Hispanic populations, not French, Russian, Italian, etc. This country is and always has been a "melting pot" of many ethnic backgrounds.

I agree that anyone who enters this country legally should enjoy the freedoms that are provided for all Americans. The problem is that now there are many who are here (and have been here for years without penalty) illegally and have established their homes, families and school/church relationships in the community and are not hurting anyone.

The immigration laws need to be reviewed so that someone wanting to enter from Mexico legally can do so in the same manner as someone wanting to enter from South Africa, Europe or any other place. It is a political issue between Mexico and USA that has caused this mess, imho.

We keep saying we are a diverse community, but that is OBVIOUSLY just "words that have no legs". What a shame.

Again, more simplistic ignorance demonstrated in these discussions.

How does a short article about an increase in the number of Hispanics in WI turn into a bunch of cheap shots towards the group?

Funny how the use of a four letter word would likely be removed from this discussion but all these racist statements go pretty much unchallenged.

The actual inscription on the Statue of Liberty is as follows
"Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me.
I lift my lamp beside the golden door".

I look at this as only what they are aware of. the census is if you want to be known to be here. My concern is they work for less and the ones i have worked with work hard BUT I also know that the 3 I work with send most of their money to their family in Mexico and not support our country with it. If they want to be citizens learn the language, pay the taxes and put their money back into our country. I believe in equal opportunity and everybody has a right to earn a living BUT their are way to many of us AMERICANS born and raised that need jobs. The Statue of Liberty says " GIVE US YOUR POOR YOUR TIRED AND YOUR HUNGRY" but that needs to be on hold until our poor tired and hungry are taken care of!!!!!!

My only comment is Illegal what don't these people understand they are not here legal so why should they be given any rights that WE Americans have, this country has been to nice for to long it is time to get tuff and throw them all out and then business will us Americans to do the jobs and if Americans don't step up for the work then they should not get welfare from the hard working Americans.

Sorry for this comment but this country is going down hill faster than Sonny Bono on a ski slope. Unemployment is at an all time high, gas prices are so high that if you aren't making well above minimum wage it doesn't even pay to drive to work, our country is littered with illegal immigrants that we as American's are supporting with the taxes that we pay, some schools don't even say the Pledge of Allegiance anymore because of the word "god", and you are held liable for what your kids do but yet you are not able to discipline them. There are so many more things I could complain about but I am getting off the subject of this article so I guess I save the rest for later. And again, this is just my personal opinion and I am sorry if I have offended anyone.

If you wish to repeal the authority by which persons born in the United States are entitled to citizenship and all rights thereby accrued, you will have to have the 14th Amendment to the Constitution changed.
http://www.usconstitution.net/const.html...
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I hope I need not remind anyone of why it was passed.

what is terrible is if your parents come here illegally and have you as a child your a legal citizen. if your parents are illegal so are you no matter if you were born here.

Not to offend anyone but the fact that they can come here and recieve state aid, free health care, social security benefits and don't have to pay taxes is the main reason there are so many here!
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I don't have a problem with legal immigrants. What I have a problem with is the one's who cross the border illegally and have more benefits and rights than we as American's have in our own damn country! Did you know that not all states require proof of citizenship to get a driver's lisence? What is wrong with this country?
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I'm sorry but I feel that if you want to be an American and have what American's have you should have to earn it, legally.

The census bureau estimates that undocumented immigrants in the US total 9 million or so (not all Hispanic). Anti-immigration groups have said there are as many as 20 million. Non-partisan experts have pegged it around 12 million or so.
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This may suggest as many as 1/4 of the Hispanics in Wisconsin are undocumented. That still leaves 3/4 of Hispanics as legal residents or even American citizens (naturalized or born here).

Beavis...from "Beavis and Butthead," the awful MTV cartoon from the early 90's. They were huge pot heads and really dumb. It was a huge hit...although I will never understand why...

Whew well thank goodness, meinelkm20. By the way, who is beavis?

garyprimer, you are cracking me up. Everyone's looking at me funny at work because I keep laughing out loud.

And I agree, the dairy farm thing is great. And don't worry RosyPots, I use the word "awesome" every day. It's not out of style just yet. :)

As far as loosing union skilled trade jobs in Wisconsin, I employ many skilled tradesmen from many areas, electricians, pipe fitters, Plumbers, heavy equipment operators and so on. This group of craftsmen and women have all or are in the process of, completing schooling and apprenticeship programs which has nothing to do with race or gender. I can see no reason any of these jobs would leave Wisconsin because of Hispanic immigrants.

This is one of the more entertaining blogs! There are so many good points I don't even know where to start!

I am happy that many brought thier culinary skills with them because I love the hispanic cuisine.

Before I get attacked on here too, my comment about the dairy farm was not IN the article, but about someone elses post. MY BAD

Sure, everyone would be happy to have cheaper dairy, but at what cost?

I said that I was impressed. Now I'm sorry that I offended you. Please accept my apology.

Adolescent slang from the 1990's??
I am terribly sorry Gary, if my manor of expressing myself with the written word doesn’t meet your standards of acceptability. Or is it that for some reason you must find something, anything, to be critical of? Even in someone’ choice in how they exercise their right to express themselves? I have lived through the 50’s, 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, 90’s and expect to see the next decade as well. I shall endeavor to use more “Up to date” slang terms in order to avoid facing your judgment and cutting wit in the future.

"Are you the boys that spray-painted my dog?"
"Uh, no, that was some other guys, huh huh."

Saw Beavis, he is as gnarly as ever dude.

I was just impressed by the adolescent slang from the 1990's. Do you see Beavis anymore or ever talk to him?

Dairy farming is a much needed occupation. I for one support what they are doing. I agree RoseyPots, if the immigrants were from somewhere else, you would not see this story in the paper. It is very sad.

Yes I think the Dairy farm thing is awesome, would it make a difference if these were immigrants from Italy? Or from Scotland like my relatives? If there working for even $6.50 an hour, then they are paying taxes, there being taught English and have some health care through there employment. There labor is allowing our Wisconsin dairy farmers to remain competitive in a market that has been shifting more and more to California. What’s the down side?

Today is a day without Latinos. As they gather to demonstrate wouldn't this be an easy time to check and see who is legal and who is not. Kind of like shooting fish in a barrel.

Well, news for Janesville blue collar workers keeps getting worse and worse this week. First GM shuts down a shift and then a study finds that the Hispanic population is growing. That will definitely mean in the next ten years you can start to kiss some of those union trade jobs goodbye (construction, electrical, etc.). If you are young, living in Janesville and in a trades job right now listen to my advice. Go get yourself a college degree now so you don't get stung later on. There is a bright side though, your roofing, lawn care, etc. will come down in price as more and more companies start up and use the cheap labor.

How can we be sure that it's not totally awesome?

You think the dairy farm thing is awesome?

I don't think we will see a national healthcare program anytime soon. Still to many problems to overcome.. Wouldn't you agree?

and who out there thinks that a national healthcare program isn't going to attract more?

What percentage of that 272,000 are actually legal?

I think the dairy farm thing is awesome, allows the dairy farmer to keep his costs down which could mean the difference between staying in business or not and allows the Hispanics the opportunity for a proper start here in the United States With English lessons to boot.

Now "we" know how the American Indians felt.

What this doesn’t tell us is, how much of the increase came from legal immigration, and how much came from illegal immigration. In increase in legal immigrants is all to the good, but an increase in illegals signals more problems to come.

pbs last week showed big dairy farms are using hipanics......free housing/medical/english lessons and $6.75 hr.

Influence elections? Don't you have to be a US citizen to vote?

Great!