Illegal Aliens in Minnesota
"The number of illegal aliens in the state of Minnesota has increased substantially over a disconcertingly short period of time and this increase has the net effect of (1) keeping the wage rate below that considered by some to be a "living wage", (2) extensively burdening the state infrastructure (i.e., schools, medical care, law enforcement), and (3) contributing to unsafe working conditions."
-- Curtis Aljets, INS District Director
The United States was built as a nation of immigrants. In the past, most immigrants came to this country legally. They learned our language, adopted our customs and worked hard to become productive contributors to our American society.
But today is different. Our open borders philosophy for the past 30 years has devalued American citizenship. Today we see millions of illegal aliens coming to our country who have no interest in becoming part of America. They are opportunists seeking the spoils of our success. They wish to impose their language and their customs on United States citizens. They raise foreign flags atop our schools and government buildings. They openly protest in our streets. They refuse to adopt our values and traditions. And their numbers are multiplying each year.
Illegal aliens highlight the stark disconnect between the America people and their elected representatives more than any other single issue of our day. Elitist politicians seem to think that granting amnesty to millions of illegal aliens is more important than securing our borders and enforcing our laws. But the American people know better. Recent attempts to pass "immigration reforms" have been met with harsh response by the American people. Some politicians appear to be finally getting the message that most Americans care deeply about preserving our heritage for future generations.
The issue of illegal aliens is very much part of the public policy debate in Minnesota. Here are some important facts that you should know about the issue in Minnesota:
FACT: Illegal aliens are costing Minnesota taxpayers $180 to $345 million per year. A report prepared for Governor Pawlenty in 2005 estimated the overall costs of illegal aliens to the state of Minnesota at over $180 million. A more recent report by the Federation for American Immigration Reform puts the estimated cost to Minnesota taxpayers at $345 million.
FACT: Minnesota counties are providing taxpayer-funded health care services to illegal aliens. A recent audit by the state of Minnesota showed that county workers are failing to electronically validate an applicant’s immigration status as required by law prior to providing medical assistance.
FACT: Minnesota cities are violating federal immigration laws by acting as sanctuaries for illegal aliens. "Don't ask, don't tell" policies implemented by cities like Minneapolis and St. Paul are preventing police officers from inquiring about a suspect’s immigration status or passing along their concerns to federal authorities.
FACT: Illegal aliens expose all Minnesotans to an increase chance of being victims of violent crimes. Studies have shown that illegal aliens represent a disproportionately high share of prisoners incarcerated within the United States. U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement officers recently arrested 34 aliens in Minnesota with ties to violent street gangs. The recent Minnesota bus accident which killed four innocent children is a tragic reminder of how illegal aliens are adversely affecting our society.
FACT: Most Minnesotans oppose amnesty for illegal aliens. A recent Rasmussen survey showed that nearly three times as many Minnesotans believed it is more important to control our borders first rather than debate new rules for immigration (65 versus 23 percent). Even more telling was how Minnesotans felt about children born of illegal aliens. Although a child born in the United States is eligible to become U.S. citizen, twice as many Minnesotans believe that a child borne of a women who enters the United States as an illegal alien should not be automatic given U.S. citizenship (56 to 29 percent).
FACT: Liberal Minnesota legislators are working to expand state programs for illegal aliens. Liberal Minnesota state legislators have introduced The Dream Act which is intended to provide in-state tuition rates for children of illegal immigrants at state colleges and universities.
Since the federal government appears to be unwilling or unable to deal with the illegal alien problem, Minnesota should follow the lead of other states that are enacting tough laws aimed at curbing this problem within state borders. New laws addressing employer sanctions, public-funded benefits and law enforcement should be passed by the Minnesota state legislature to address the issue of illegal aliens within the state of Minnesota. Minnesota Majority is encouraging all citizens who are concerned about the problem of illegal aliens in our state to sign the Immigration Enforcement Petition calling for Minnesota lawmakers to get tough on illegal aliens.
Theodore Roosevelt's ideas on Immigrants and being an AMERICAN
"In the first place, we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin. But this is predicated upon the person's becoming in every facet an American, and nothing but an American...There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn't an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag... We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language... and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people."
Theodore Roosevelt 1907