Van Hollen, D-Kensington, promised the religious network that he is committed to the passage of immigration reform; will fight for unified families and amnesty; and will work with and update AIM members on the issue as the process moves forward.
"I pledge, yes, to fight to make sure that the comprehensive immigration reform bill that we enact will ensure family reunification," said Van Hollen. "And also to make sure that as part of the immigration reform, we allow people to come out of the shadows as fully participating citizens."
Any reform, Van Hollen said, should also include the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act, also known as the DREAM Act, which would grant conditional residency status to undocumented high school graduates who are in "good moral character" and plan to finish college.
"The fundamental idea is ... that people have the opportunity to live the American dream," Van Hollen said.
His commitment was appreciated by a cheering crowd -- many of them hoping for more action from politicians.
"I encourage them to take a leadership role," said Donna Brown, rector of St. Mark's Episcopal Church. "Not just vote but help propel (immigration reform) to the surface."
However, political strategists say some politicians will try to avoid the controversial issue in order to keep their seat during the midterm elections.
"It is clear that politicians are reluctant to move on the issue," said William Galston, senior fellow at the Brookings Institute.
And although most members of Congress favor reform and Obama promised reform during the 2008 presidential elections, Galston said, politicians are aware that most people believe unemployment will go up if immigration reform is passed.
"Immigration reform is not about job security for our elected officials," said Bishop Darlingston Johnson of the Bethel World Outreach Church. "It's about justice. Immigration reform is not about Democrat versus Republican. It's about the future of American citizens, children of undocumented workers who have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness in their own country with their own parents."
Outside the event, a few protestors held anti-illegal immigration signs and passed out flyers regarding the economic impact of illegal immigrants.
"I want to educate them that there are 16 million Americans without jobs," said Paul Mendez, a member of Help Save Maryland, the largest anti-illegal immigration group in the state.
"There are a lot of people that need jobs -- native-born people -- and there are 8 million illegal aliens that have jobs right now, so that's 8 million jobs that could go to Americans."
The Federation for American Immigration Reform, a Washington-based anti-illegal immigration organization, projected that Maryland taxpayers will pay $500 million for emergency medical care, education and incarceration costs if illegal immigrants receive amnesty in 2010.
Other analyses found illegal immigrants have a beneficial impact on the economy. For example, the Washington-based Center for American Progress found immigration reform would increase the United State's gross domestic product by $1.5 trillion over a decade.
On Thursday, President Obama also reaffirmed his commitment to immigration reform in meetings with several activists.
Obama also met with Sens. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., and Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., to kick off a Senate bipartisan effort on the issue.
Van Hollen said he was looking forward to working with them and his colleagues in the House.
Only one Maryland congressman has sponsored legislation regarding immigration reform this year.
Rep. Frank Kratovil, D-Stevensville, co-sponsored legislation that would reject amnesty for illegal immigrants, called for stronger border protection, and would require employers to use the federal E-Verify system, which is used to determine a worker's status.
Kratovil, who faces a tough reelection, also introduced legislation in February to penalize employers who knowingly hire illegal immigrants.
Copyright © 2010 University of Maryland Philip Merrill College of Journalism
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Chris Van Hollen - 2010-03-21 04:09:30
can work on Immigration Reform and we as voters will be more than glad to work on Not Re-electing Him.
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Steve Gundersen - Annapolis, Md - Karma: Terrible
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Russ - 2010-03-21 00:32:52
Seriously? This is what you want to waste your time worrying about? Russ, my man, I don't actually blame you. You are the victim of a shell game thrown out by conservative media like Rush, Glenn, and Rupert. Don't get me wrong...liberal media sucks, too. But as a distraction to what actually matters in this country, you have been convinced that the possibility of illegal immigrants voting is a horrible, horrible possibility, whilst I contend (with the demographic numbers supporting me) that it is not. Because even if they WERE voting illegally in Maryland, their population is too small to make a dent in the outcome. But I will say this: I am not against the bill. But I am not for it either. Pass it if it makes you feel better, Russ. What I am saying is that it won't make a difference either way. And THAT is why I think you are being foolish, Russ. You are getting sucked into the politicians' pandering game where they tell you what you want to hear, but their actions don't actually influence our lives one way or the other.
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Sorry for the typos. - 2010-03-20 23:08:01
I actually mistype the same word twice! My job is not as a typist. I just have a job that takes me around different parts of Maryland where I can see things for myself.
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Well Sal, - 2010-03-20 23:04:54
Since you are the man with all the percenatges, what percenatge of the illegals did NOT vote in the last two elections? Don't Know? Neither do I. Can you say with 100% assuredness that none did? You still ave not stated what harm would come if proper ID were required to vote. I would gladly show my ID. I am sure you wouldn't have any problem showing yours. Or would you? You do seem so adamant about not going that route!
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Van Hollen - 2010-03-20 11:45:02
Working for amnesty so that families can stay together? Huh? Can't they stay together in Mexico? This wouldn't even be an issue had they not hopped the fence in the first place.
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Russ - 2010-03-19 23:11:37
I do get around. In fact, I get around enough to build up enough life experience to realize perception is not reality. According to extrapolations from the last census, Latinos make up 13% of the U.S. population, 5% of the Maryland population, and 3% of the Anne Arundel County population. Therefore, the Latino population (including estimated illegals) of Maryland is HALF that of the U.S. average, and Anne Arundel County is one-third. So Russ, whatcha got in your travels around the sprawling metropolitan area that makes up Kent Island?
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Sal - 2010-03-19 16:47:16
" Maryland is far, far below the national average of latino immigrants, illegal or otherwise."
Don't get around much do you?
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Russ - 2010-03-19 00:07:56
Ah...the Strawman Argument! Google it. If I am not for A, then I MUST be against B! Great tactic best used by the talking heads on FOX News and MSNBC. For those of us who reside in the real world where we do not receive seven-income salaries to tell ordinary people what to think and have them do so blindly...let me be honest for a moment. I don't care. Are illegals voting? Probably not. You can find areas in the country where illegals settle and maybe find some slight anomalous data...enough to make a point, but not to make a difference. Again, these areas would include the Southwest and Florida. But we are in Maryland. And, using classic methods of misdirection, some miserable politician in our great state figured out that the best way to pander to his base is to introduce this stupid bill. Do I think it's stupid because I'm a bleeding-heart liberal? No. It's stupid because it doesn't do anything. It falls along the asinine Democratic theory of "if this law saves just one life it is worth it." Russ, don't fall for the bait. Maryland is far, far below the national average of latino immigrants, illegal or otherwise. The law does nothing. If it passes, I don't really care because nothing will change. But Russ, realize that while these cheap politicians convince you that this is a good idea, they aren't doing their real jobs.
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Sal - 2010-03-18 23:37:16
There is no requirement to know that something bad is happening at the moment, to make a law against it, or create a process to avoid it happening in the future. Are you on the side of the illegals or on the side of the politicians that may benefit from their votes? These two groups are the only ones that benefit from doing nothing, as you suggest. Making it difficult, if not impossible, for voter fraud to occur is in all lawabiding citizens' best interest.
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Russ - 2010-03-17 20:18:47
We are not talking about the Loch Ness Monster here, where there are no facts available. You are asserting that illegals are voting, as does the legislation. Therefore the burden of proof is on the prosecution on this one. There are plenty of data on the Web that must support your position, right? And by "data" I mean compiled facts, not supposition by paranoids. And not anomalous "in 1996 300 votes were cast by illegals in California." We're not talking about unprovables here. Whatcha got?
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Dwyer and the Constitutionalists - 2010-03-17 16:54:43
Kibbey, you are dead wrong.. As we know by being taught by Donny Dwyer and david kyle the United states constitution is a timeless perfect document that can not be changed. The forefathers were perfect.
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step 1 - 2010-03-17 16:26:23
Can we all agree that 1 simple measure that could be taken is to eliminate automatic citizenship by birth. That just has to stop. The anchor baby concept is far from the intent of the law. If you are born here, to a US Citizen, fine, citizenship for you. If you are born here to non-US citizens... sorry, go through the immigration process and good luck to you. (you'll need it, my wife is not a citizen and coming here legally is WAY harder than just forging a few documents would have been)
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Also, Sal, - 2010-03-17 10:11:29
You are making an assumption that no illegals are voting, just as I make the assumption they are. If they are it becomes a problem or a crisis depending on the number involved. Since niether of us can prove our assumption, your solution is to do nothing, and mine is to do something that would only stop those that may benefit from doing something wrong. There is no shame in doing that.
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Russ Patterson - Stevensville, MD - Karma: Neutral
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You may be right but... - 2010-03-17 10:06:35
... If they would just do it we wouldn't have to be here arguing back and forth on the issue anymore, wouldn't we? And no one would be harmed except for the politicians who depend on the votes of illegal immigrants or their legal relatives. And as far as I am concerned any politician who does so should be voted out of office, no matter what party they are from.
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Russ - 2010-03-17 08:10:41
That's fine, but this, like much legislation, is political posturing that is focused on an issue that makes great campaign ads, but has no measurable effect. My point is maybe our legislators should concentrate on solving actual crises. We have a pile of them that they could get to work on.
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Salvatorre - 2010-03-17 07:57:19
I would much rather have a government that recognizes a potential problem that can be prevented, than a government that waits until it is a problem, to do something about it. Especially when being proactive has no negative effect on anyone, other than a little additionl effort on someone's part to enforce it. That someone being in a job already enforcing similar laws on the books.
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Van Hollen's District - 2010-03-15 22:44:29
Lance, MD's 8th Congressional District USED to be moderate -- in the 1990s when Connie Morella was in Congress. Following Census 2000, though, the district's lines were redrawn. Exacerbating this, Connie didn't campaign strenuously and Chris did, winning the seat in 2002.
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Playing it safe - 2010-03-15 20:18:56
Russ...let's not stop there. Let's pass a law that makes it unlawful for illegal immigrants to use the Jedi Mind Trick. If they're not using it, then they have nothing to worry about. In fact, let's have our legislature waste their valuable time usually spent selling their votes to lobbyists (I'm looking at YOU alcohol distributors and developers) by having them work on more legislation that, although well-meaning, has no measurable effect. And sweat it out if you want, but Maryland's Latino population is just 5%, and Anne Arundel County hovers at 3%...well below the national average of 13%. This isn't California, Arizona, or Florida. Aren't there bigger battles worth fighting?
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Just pass the bill - 2010-03-15 19:28:27
If illegals aren't voting, no harm is done to them if the bill is passed to require proper ID. If they have been voting, problem solved!
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Russ Patterson - Stevensville, MD - Karma: Neutral
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Another example of illegals voting - 2010-03-15 17:27:45
In California, former Republican Rep. Robert K. Dornan was defeated by Democrat Loretta Sanchez by 984 votes in the 1996 election. State officials found that at least 300 votes were cast illegally by non-citizens.
A link to the United States Senate website addressing this fact:
http://judiciary.senate.gov/hearings/testimony.cfm?id=1930&wit_id=5410
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Brian Armstrong - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Good
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Proof illegals vote - 2010-03-15 17:26:58
In 2005, the U.S. Government Accountability Office found that up to 3 percent of the 30,000 individuals called for jury duty from voter registration rolls over a two-year period in just one U.S. district court were NOT U.S. citizens. While that may not seem like many, just 3 percent of registered voters would have been more than enough to provide the winning presidential vote margin in Florida in 2000. Indeed, the Census Bureau estimates that there are over a million illegal aliens in Florida, and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has prosecuted more non-citizen voting cases in Florida than in any other state.
http://www.thecuttingedgenews.com/index.php?article=691&pageid=24&pagename=Society
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van hollen and kravotil - 2010-03-15 14:37:51
Van Hollen is an Open Borders, lawbreaker lover who wants those illegals legalized so they'll vote Democrat as we all know 80% of them will do for many generations.
Kravotil deserves to be down in the polls. For a prosecutor, he should be a tough-as-nails, law and order guy. Instead, if you go to his Immigration page on his campaign site, he headlines it in big, bolg letters: "We are a nation of immigrants" Of course, what he DOESN'T say is that those immigrants from the 1920s and before were LEGAL immigrants mostly. They didn't come here just to get jobs--they came here to be AMERICANS! They had to try and learn the language. They weren't allowed in if they had diseases. They had to have sponsors. They couldn't just come here and go on welfare, on the backs of taxpaying citizens! If you read Kravotil's Immigration page, he TRIES to sound "tough" on illegals and their American, lawbreaking employers. He wants to "overhaul the Fed. Immigration laws" to allow his East Coast seafood industry donor-buddies to be able to hire illegals on guestworker visas so they can AVOID paying decent wages to legal aliens or Americans! Unbelievable! As if this isn't bad enough, I sauntered over to his "Health Care" page and lo and behold, he's for "Universal Health Care"--where EVERYONE in the country has health care, not mentioning of course that we can't afford it and that it (as it has in Canada and England) will bring down the level and quality of care in our clinics and hospitals AND he seems to be oblivious to the resulting TIDAL WAVE of more illegals who see free health care for their families if they break into the U.S. with talk like this! Remember when Bush was pushing Amnesty in 2004? Remember how the numbers of illegal entries increased exponentially as soon as he made his pro-Amnesty speech? Just imagine when "Universal" gets out into the Mexican and Central American hinterland!
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David Levin - Oakland, CA - Karma: Neutral
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Van Hollen - 2010-03-15 13:54:34
Isn't Van Hollen's district a moderate one?
How did it wind up electing a left wing extremist?
I would think this situation is highly unstable and will be corrected before long by the voters of his district replacing Van Hollen with a moderate, whether it be a Democrat or Republican.
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Restore Fairness - 2010-03-15 12:44:48
We must take steps in restoring fairness to our broken immigration system both for our economy and our security. We need workable solutions that unite us together - and reform that respects due process and fairness allows us to celebrate the values that we hold dear - fairness, opportunity and due process. When we deny due process to some people, ultimately it will affect all of us. To learn more go to www.restorefairness.org.
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restore fairness - , - Karma: Neutral
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Data - 2010-03-15 10:41:17
Brian...don't get me wrong, I am not defending illegal immigrants, but I am tired that political dialog in this country promotes rhetoric as fact. So would you please post some links with data supporting the assertion that illegal immigrants are voting? And the fact that a bill addressing this has been sponsored by state senators is not proof of a problem...bills like this often smack of political grandstanding.
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voting - 2010-03-15 09:59:28
People stop imagining a world where non-white undocumented workers conspire to vote their way into a lifestyle of comfort at your expense. Worry about your own lives.
and do what I do, vote frequently and often any chance you get.
If there are undocumented humans in our state it is because we want them here.
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Fred Shubbie - annapolis , md - Karma: Terrible
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Illegals ARE voting - 2010-03-15 09:26:40
Salvatorre, there is currently a bill being introduced in Annapolis called "Qualification of Voters - Proof of Identity" It has been introduced due to the fact that so many are voting in our elections without proper government issued identification or proof of legal status in our country. It is sponsored by SEVEN Senators, so this certainly isn't an issue that is simply hearsay. Regardless on anyone's views on immigration, we as a Nation need to be certain that every single vote in our elections comes from a legal citizen, and that the incredible privilege of voting isn't being abused by those who are illegally in our country. Here's the link to the bill:
http://mlis.state.md.us/2010rs/billfile/sb0711.htm
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Brian Armstrong - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Good
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Dream a little dream - 2010-03-15 00:15:42
In a muddy, little hovel at the edge of an insignificant little hamlet in the mountains of El Salvador, a little child curls up on a dirt floor dreaming of a day that she can escape to America...so that she can vote. Puuleeze. We can't get overfed, SUV-driving soccer moms to drive the three blocks to the polls to vote. Do you really (and I mean REALLY) believe that illegals are? And lets get out of the Glenn Beck rhetoric-mode. Let's see some links to some real data that indicates that illegals are voting illegally. Start posting 'em!
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Salvatorre Bagatelli - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Good
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Undocumented aliens not always inte - 2010-03-15 00:04:40
What about the many "illegals" who came here perhaps years ago out of desparation to improve their own and their families futures, while not thinking of the big picture when someday they would need proper documentation to stay here? Many came from places other than the border to our south and are working 2 or 3 low paying healthcare jobs that not all Americans are willing to do. These same people are contributing to the economy with those wages and paying into the system. Not all of them commit crimes to the people other than lacking proper judgement in the past. The aliens who use and abuse the Medicaid system,or commit crimes against the general population are the persons creating the burden and the problem for society. Let those who wish to continue to live here while working hard and contributing in a positive fashion, stay. Their only crime was the overwheming desire to escape a country where they had no hope for a future and come to a land where any dream was possible. As was said previously, we are all immigrants in some fashion, and I am sure that some of our ancestors may have arrived here by "not so legal fashions" if we all looked deeply into it. As part of an amnesty package-let them pay a fine if they are truly interested in becoming a documented, legal immigrant. Let them continue to improve their lives through hard work. Don't punish the children for the errors of the parents.
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Caro Akers - Columbus, OH - Karma: Neutral
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hammer and nails - 2010-03-14 21:05:20
People,
you are scared of the others. You proclaim that the others are here illegally let want to take part of the ultimate act of belonging--voting. If they do vote , don't they deserve to belong --though I doubt anything you say has merit.
More than 50% of our legal humans refuse to vote and therefore I say revoke their citizenship !!!!!
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Fred Shubbie - annapolis , md - Karma: Terrible
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Amnesty Isn't Reform - 2010-03-14 20:16:01
Granting amnesty to felons who break our laws when entering this country illegally is NOT 'reform.' It's cowardice, because the administration is unwilling or unable to enforce our laws.
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Tina Chite - Churchton, MD - Karma: Excellent
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WHAT YOU CAN DO TO STOP ILLEGAL IMM - 2010-03-14 19:46:20
WHAT YOU CAN DO TO STOP ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION. YOU can make a difference! Sign up with: http://bit.ly/cYUN7R
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bill bob - , - Karma: Neutral
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Vote-buying - 2010-03-14 19:16:08
Raejean, You hit the nail on the head. Van Hollen in vote-buying, pure & simple.
Nina, I beg you to go to Annapolis for one of the many immigration bills that are being presented over the next several weeks. Your story is incredibly moving and needs to be heard in Annapolis. Here's a link to upcoming immigration bills:
http://www.helpsavemaryland.com/index.php/Take%20Action:%20Annapolis%202010%20Session
God Bless America!
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Brian Armstrong - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Good
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Justice - 2010-03-14 18:27:34
Nina, you have hit the nail on the head. This is not about justice. If it were, you'd be first preference in the express line to citizenship, having more than earned it. If it were about justice, current lawful citizens would also have their paramount interests, and the spending of their tax revenues, protected by a refusal to spend on the social impacts of illegal residents, especially on already-overloaded systems such as health care and education (I also note that you seem to have learned to speak and write excellent English and don't require us to pick up another language just to COPE WITH YOU.) It's about political expediency, loyalty vote-buying, and the almighty dollar.
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Raejean French - Severn, MD - Karma: Excellent
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Van Hollen NEEDS illegal votes - 2010-03-14 18:21:44
KURT, well don't you see? Rep. Chris Van Hollen needs to aid & abet illegal aliens in Maryland as to lock in votes for himself. So that way Van Hollen knows that every vote from a legal citizen against him, well he is assured an illegal alien vote for him if he rallies enough illegal aliens, (and Casa buses them to the polls). So you see, that gives Rep. Chris Van Hollen the votes he needs to stay in office! So it's a win-win situation for anti-American Van Hollen! We the legal taxpayers fund his salary, yet the illegal aliens he aids & abets evade taxes, (but still get to vote). So OF COURSE the illegal aliens will keep voting for the politician that allows them to live in America tax free, yet still receive government assistance, food stamps, WIC, free school lunches. I bet $100 Rep. Chris Van Hollen voted against the recent bill introduced in Annapolis requiring voters to be legal citizens of America in order to vote in our elections. If he loses his illegal alien voters, he loses his seat.
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Brian Armstrong - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Good
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Illegals - 2010-03-14 17:24:24
For every Illegal that gets a Md drivers license, and a voter registration card their vote negates one legal residents vote. Word!
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Kurt Riefner - Crownsville, Md - Karma: Excellent
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Locality - 2010-03-14 17:16:07
Who are all these people commenting from other states? Is this real or some sort of astroturf thing?
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Salvatorre Bagatelli - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Good
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your papers please ? - 2010-03-14 16:50:37
We are citizens of this country because someone came to this land and killed and pillaged the native americans. No one owns this land my friends. Borders are but an imaginary line on the dirt ; from space we are all one.
Get used to it my friends, we need each other.
The Children of illegal humans living in what you people call America will soon make up the majority of parents repopulating this country. The era of a white majority is over my friends.
Learn to Love it.
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Fred Shubbie - annapolis , md - Karma: Terrible
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No to amnesty - 2010-03-14 15:41:27
"It's about justice. Immigration reform is not about Democrat versus Republican. It's about the future of American citizens, children of undocumented workers who have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness in their own country with their own parents."
--------------
How is it "just" to lie, cheat, and cut in line? Illegal aliens behave unjustly and then think they deserve amnesty? Forget it.
U.S.-born children of illegal aliens are free to accompany their parents back to their homelands or to remain here. When parents of citizens break our laws in other ways, such as by committing fraud (which many illegal aliens also do), embezzlement, etc., they are imprisoned and separated from their families. Why should illegal aliens and their kids have it any different?
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Ali Alexander - Lansing, MI - Karma: Neutral
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Spit - 2010-03-14 15:13:35
I openly spit on my pocket Constitution and burn an american flag every now and again just because I can, and that is what was great about this country before the right started to strip us of our right to do so more freely and with more vigor. Today I used an American flag to blow my nose and burned a copy of the Constitution to light a pilot light that had gone out.
I am a great American.
But let us not forget the children born within our borders ti illegal, undocumented humans are too american citizens.
Does done Dwyer Love this part of the constitution as much as I do ?
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Fred Shubbie - annapolis , md - Karma: Terrible
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Disgusting - 2010-03-14 15:02:14
It is disgusting to know that Rep. Chris Van Hollen can openly spit on our Constitution and defend illegal invaders in our country. He should be removed from office on the grounds of treason. Rep. Chris Van Hollen, you work for WE THE PEOPLE, (that means the LEGAL TAXPAYING CITIZENS THAT FUND YOUR SALARY), not the illegal invaders who evade our taxes and broke our laws the minute they entered this country illegally. Citizens, it is VITAL to get out to the polling booths come this November and vote out the disgraceful politicians such as Rep. Chris Van Hollen that fight for the rights of illegal aliens rather than the legal citizens of Maryland.
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Brian Armstrong - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Good
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REFORM NOW! - 2010-03-14 14:58:33
Dear Robert Cuncic, if we would have such a great border protection, we would not have 10 million undocumented immigrants in this country. Also by saying that the whole families should be deported after years and years of living here is just immoral and wrong. After years of living here they became a part of this society already and often they have nothing to go back to. Many undocumented immigrants have US born or permanent resident husband/wives. Are you saying that we now should start deporting our own citizens too? Also, if undocumented immigrants contribute to social security found when you deport them you should give them their money back, if we are such a law abiding nation why our US employers hired undocumented workers. It seems that when everything goes great with economy we don't care that those people are here but we blame them for everything when thing are not going so great. This is wrong. We are a nation of immigrants and those people deserve a chance to become citizens of this nation too. If we won't reform the immigration system, we will have 100 million of undocumented workers in the future. What are we going to do then? Nina from Naples is right, many people came to the US legally, but they became illegal because of out senseless laws. They need to be reformed so immigrants will have a chance to remain legal in this country. If you give a right to work to a wive but not to her husband, do you really expect and believe that the guy will seat at home and live on wive's salary? Don't be ridiculous people. NO other nations have laws like that. They are wrong and need to be fixed. As for those who entered illegally, well we let them do that and now we have to suffer the consequences. I don't see any other option but to legalize them, so they can fully contribute to our economy. This is the right thing to do unlike tearing families apart.
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Amy McFee - , - Karma: Neutral
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Illegal Aliens - 2010-03-14 14:52:07
The American public are not going to tolerate this. We do not want amnesty for illegals. The politicians must work for US citizens. They must not work for illegal aliens. We do not want them in this country. We do no need new laws. Just enforce current immigration laws and we the citizens of this country will be happy. This November let's remove from office all Democrats.
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Patty Braum - , - Karma: Neutral
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MoCo or California - 2010-03-14 11:14:27
leave it to a delagate from the worst financially strapped county in the state to announce that we the people of maryland should aid and abet illegal activities. Since 1995 the population of the US has soared from a 250 million to almost 310 million. That is unprecedented in our history. And the growth is not because of a baby boom. The infrastructure of our country is about to collapse. The people who actually followed the rules for immagrating here are getting shafted by people like Mr. Van Hollen.
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Kurt Riefner - Crownsville, Md - Karma: Excellent
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Illegal aliens - 2010-03-13 21:15:00
We DO NOT need amnesty to protect and keep immigrant families together! When they are deported, they can take their families with them. There is no law against that. There is however, a law that you CAN NOT be in this Country illegally. Why do we have the border patrol doing their very best to keep these illegal aliens out of this Country? Then we have an idiot like you that wants to give these law breakers amnesty. Maybe you should learn this there, Chris Van Hollen.
To enter this Country is a PRIVILEGE. It is NOT a RIGHT! No ILLEGAL ALIEN has a right to be here. Clear enough?
ENFORCE THE LAW! NO AMNESTY FOR THE ILLEGAL ALIEN INVADERS!
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Robert Cuncic - Smyrna,, DE - Karma: Neutral
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Fighting back. on illegal immigrati - 2010-03-13 14:58:01
IF YOU BELIEVE IN YOUR NATIONAL SOVEREIGNTY AND STOPPING THE ILLEGAL ALIEN INVASION. ONE FLAG--ONE LANGUAGE.
Get ready for one of the biggest battles of any reform packages that the parties throw at us? Those Patriotic Americans and legal immigrants who believe in Americas sovereignty and desire the borders be firmly secure, heavy funding for immigration enforcement and NO BLANKET AMNESTY. No MORE GOVERNMENT ENTITLEMENTS FOR ILLEGAL ALIENS AND FAMILIES. Become a member of NUMBERSUSA.dot.com MANDATE E-VERIFY. Over a million members and growing. Are you ready to fight against OVERPOPULATION and CHAIN MIGRATION? JUST DO NOT LET UP AT CAUSING YOUR POLITICIANS PALPITATIONS AT 202-224-3121. Don't forget to give your state lawmakers an ultimatum; NO RE-ELECTION VOTE.
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Dave Francis - Indianapolis, IN - Karma: Neutral
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The illegal immigration battle loom - 2010-03-13 14:53:21
With the onset of President Obama's push for Amnesty, the opponents are mobilizing to stop this absolutely ridiculous move to legitimize the 20 to 30 million illegal aliens,when 15 million and upwards of citizens and residents are jobless. Anytime that reform rears its ugly head, pro-sovereignty, anti-illegal immigrants organization will get into the fight, even when the economy is sound? But to try and force through this Immigration reform, when millions of American are losing their homes, applying for begrudged unemployment benefit and lining up at food banks. Its just illogical that the Democrats would gather together with a few Republicans to slip through another law to reward illegal immigrants? How can they even dream this up under the circumstances? Most any element of enforcement has always remained underfunded and eyed by politicians who represents corporate welfare to compromise laws.
HOW CAN THEY SAY THAT THE 1986 LAW IS BROKEN, WHEN IT NEVER WAS ENFORCED? Some of the most talented, skillful politicians-ex attorneys authored that bill, including Liberal personage Ted Kennedy? No! Its just a good excuse to arrange another AMNESTY, because previous administrations failed to secure the border or even try? Next weekend, 100,000 pro-amnesty supporters are expected to flood Washington to show their support for a blanket amnesty. This is why the Sanctuary State of California needs a governor such as Steve Poizner? He has promised to fight illegal immigration and cut-off benefits to the millions settled in the state as does the majority of the "Tea Party" movement. Its time with thought of our own poor, desperate people, instead of taxes being extorted in support of foreign nationals?
IF YOU BELIEVE IN YOUR NATIONAL SOVEREIGNTY AND STOPPING THE ILLEGAL ALIEN INVASION. ONE FLAG--ONE LANGUAGE.
Get ready for one of the biggest battles of any reform packages that the parties throw at us? Those Patriotic Americans and legal immigrants who believe in Ameri
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Dave Francis - Indianapolis, IN - Karma: Neutral
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Imigration reform - 2010-03-13 11:47:26
People like me, who come here legally, invest their own money in a small business and employ U.S. citizens, have no path to permanent residency.
We are E2 visa holders and collectively we employ over a million Americans, yet our children have to leave ewhen they reach 21 and we have to keep renewing our visas, at enormous expense, and leave if we want to sell or retire.
No one cares that our families are being decimated and that we have no security, yet we abided by the laws and actually create employment and contribute to the economy.
My daughter fits all the criteria of the DREAM Act, but she cannot benefit from it because she is not here ILLEGALLY!
Pay some attention to those who are GOOD for America. Support HR1162 and let us stay so we can create more jobs!
If you can give illegals a path to citizenship, at least do the same for those who respect the law.
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Nina Mold - Naples, FL - Karma: Neutral
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ILLEGAL ALIENS - 2010-03-13 07:05:53
What is the argument here? every single alien "BROKE THE LAW!" Our Government, past & present, Republican & Democrat, have allowed the invasion of 20 to 30 million criminals and uneducated peons which is the largest invasion of any Nation, at any time, by any means & in direct violation of Article IV, Section IV of our Constitution.
This refusal to abide by our Constitution or enforce our Immigration Laws should be classified as Treason of the most foul kind, & as grounds for impeachment & trials for Treason!
Not only have they allowed the invasion, they force American tax payers to pay Billions on Billions of dollars to provide Welfare, Prison cells, Educate the invaders numerous children, and free medical care, at the same time the invading horde break numerous laws and massive document fraud, & are destroying our schools, hospitals, communities, culture and standard of living while Robbing, Raping, Killing & Assaulting American Citizens WAKE UP PEOPLE!
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