US debates deportation of skilled illegal workers

[Judi Lynn]

US debates deportation of skilled illegal workers

By Jason Szep and Luis Andres Henao
9 minutes ago

BOSTON (Reuters) - After Mario Rodas graduated from high school in Massachusetts with honors, the Guatemalan teen did what many ambitious students do: he set his sights on Harvard University.

He studied accounting at Harvard's extension school one night a week, while holding down an office job to save up for a degree program and support his 5-year-old brother, Kevin. He felt good about his prospects.

Now the 19-year-old faces deportation after his arrest by federal and local agents on March 6 as part of a series of raids on illegal immigrants across Massachusetts.

His case highlights a paradox in America's quest for tighter borders: Rodas, who entered the United States illegally six years ago, is picking up skills that are valuable in today's job market, especially in Massachusetts, the only U.S. state to see its population decline for two straight years.
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http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060623/pl_nm/life_deportation_dc;_ylt=A0SOwmH63ZtEgIgAqAVZ.3QA;_ylu=X3oDMTA5aHJvMDdwBHNlYwN5bmNhdA--

[dubyaD40web]

1. Profiling now?

greaaaaat

[crikkett]

3. who's being profiled, Massachusetts? as the unhappy state

with the declining population?

Sorry, I see a sad story of a boy trying to help himself, but who got caught. I don't see a controversy. If I lived in a country illegally, I'd assume the chance of deportation.

-c

[treestar]

2. This is where the media leads the ignorant masses astray

One who is illegally in the US is deportable, period. It's not like there is some need for a new law to have them deported. They've always been deportable. The law is already there. No reform is needed. Just deport the guy. Their "decision" to deport him is merely a decision to enforce a law that has been on the books for decades and that they've been enforcing against as many illegals as they could for decades. They've just never given the INS the manpower to deport them all.

This is just media crap designed to stir up the sheeple.

[lumpy]

6. Not media crap, government crap,

poltical crap. This is a vote-getter ploy. Why after all these years has it suddenly become a problem? Illegals cases should be handled case by case and carefull consideration to the plight of those established illegals who have been here for years. Many people should be given the opportunity to apply for citizenship. Individual rights should apply to all deserving people

[treestar]

7. IA, it plays on the fact that most people don't understand the law

as shown by all those who claim they are "against illegals" and there is nothing wrong with it. Nobody claims to be "for" illegals staying if they are deportable. But the law is not practical and can't keep up with the number of illegals it allows due to the fact it is just impractical to be able to enforce that law. There's a point where if you can't beat 'em, join 'em, and immigration law violators are not exactly the most dangerous people in the world.

Careful consideration can be given to their plight only under the law, though, and the statutes we have are quite unkind and have gotten worse and worse. Many people who grew up in the US due to no fault of their own are deportable and could be deported to a place they have never been to but are a citizen of. That's our fault for having those laws. We have to live with the consequences. If we look unkind and unreasonable, we have to live with that or change the laws.

The set we have are irrational in the extreme, maybe they made sense in the 1950s when they were passed - the era when everyone was scared of communists in their midst. Now they are just nonsense and they get worse every time they are "reformed" (tinkered with).

[Supersedeas]

9. yes, the media is contributing negatively

[ckramer]

4. Deporting this kid is absolutely insane

Grant him a stay because he's an good example for the illegals: work hard, educate yourself, be part of the society, then you are welcomed.

[lumpy]

5. For 200 years the US has relied on

illegal and legal immigrants to help run this country. Employers have been the ones who have ignored the immigration laws and government has turned a blind eye. Now after all this time, the government is trying to make political points with disgruntled citizens who feel their rights to low level jobs are being ursurped. Deportation should be used with caution case by case, as will this case is being handled. This young man came to this country when he was 13 years old from Guatemala on visa and remained illegally. It should be taken into consideration that he has supported himself, completed high school education and is working toward college so contributing to being a valuable citizen. He should be allowed to apply for citizenship and remain in this country. His cause is being supported by people like John Kerry and others who can look beyond the uncompromising blanket deportation of illegals.

[Child_Of_Isis]

8. Illegals can graduate from High School?

How in the world was he going to get into college? My daughter had to have a birth certificate, SS card, shot and medical records and such.