# "Criminalizing Illegal Aliens" **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [May 2, 2006, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/criminalizing-illegal-aliens/355130 "2006-05-02T18:07:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![magellan01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2006, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/criminalizing-illegal-aliens/355130/61 "2006-05-04T16:16:12Z")
> [@Polycarp](#): > > Oh? I was under the distinct impression that the OP had addressed the issue of why we don’t call “undocumented workers” by the term “illegal aliens.” > > What if someone physically loses his license (not a suspension but the physical loss of the license card proving that he is licensed), contacts the DMV for a replacement, and is told it will be mailed to him and he can legally drive, and then the DMV clerk fails to produce the replacement in a timely manner. Might that be an apt analogy? If I understand what you’re asking—whether that would be an apt analogy to an illegal alien(?)—no. In one case the law says that the person in question has the right to be on the road, even if he doesn’t have the papers. The information that shows he is legally permitted to drive exists in the system, if not in his wallet. Ths same for a l_egal_ non-citizen. The question is, has the person fulfilled the legal requirements for the privilege, either of driving or being in the country. Conversely, there are people who are actually breaking the law by driving, meaning that if you went into the system, you would see that they are prohibited from driving—either by never getting a license or having their privelges revoked or suspended. Their is FACT that you either have the legal right to be on the road, or not—or have a right to be in this country, or not. The papers you are given are a matter of convenience for you and society. If you lose them they can be replaced. ---
**Author:** ![Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2006, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/criminalizing-illegal-aliens/355130/62 "2006-05-04T17:21:24Z")
> [@Polycarp](#): > > Oh? I was under the distinct impression that the OP had addressed the issue of why we don’t call “undocumented workers” by the term “illegal aliens.” The OP did nothing of the sort. The OP addressed the absolute travesty of supposedly educated people writing something as nonsensical as “criminalizing illegal aliens”. I said nothing at all about “undocumented workers”, although I do agree with **magellan** ’s take on things. ---
**Author:** ![kidchameleon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/898d66/32.png) [@kidchameleon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kidchameleon)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2006, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/criminalizing-illegal-aliens/355130/63 "2006-05-04T22:38:52Z")
> [@Polycarp](#): > > Oh? I was under the distinct impression that the OP had addressed the issue of why we don’t call “undocumented workers” by the term “illegal aliens.” Why don’t you try reading the OP next time? Or hell, even this time? ---
**Author:** ![Weirddave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/919ad9/32.png) [@Weirddave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weirddave)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2006, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/criminalizing-illegal-aliens/355130/64 "2006-05-05T15:46:41Z")
> [@me](#): > > Actually, the people that surprise me are people like you Bob( actually, not really, political expediency, thy name is Florida). You claim to be a hard line liberal Democrat, exactly the people who should be opposing illegal immigration the hardest. You want better pay for working folks, less profits for corporations, massive government intrusion regulating everything from minimum wage to workplace safety, right? Illegal immigrants fly in the face of all of those causes. It’s not that they do the jobs that white and black Americans won’t do, it’s that they do them for a lot less that fair market wages. One of the reasons that they are willing to take less is because they often don’t have to worry about things like taxes or benefits. If we removed this pool of workers from the equation, than these jobs would have to be done legally, allowing all that government interference that you love so much. No comment Bob? ---
**Author:** ![beebee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47774/32.png) [@beebee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beebee)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2006, 4:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/criminalizing-illegal-aliens/355130/65 "2006-05-06T04:52:25Z")
so, if i understand correctly, to punish them for coming here illegally, they get sent to jail where they can’t go back. what i don’t understand is why the us tries to close the border in the first place. it is as ridiculous as the war on drugs. neither can be acomplished, so spend the money on something needful. ---
**Author:** ![Eva\_Luna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e495f1/32.png) [@Eva\_Luna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eva_Luna)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2006, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/criminalizing-illegal-aliens/355130/66 "2006-05-06T05:36:36Z")
Yeah, I wonder how many jobs could be created in Mexico for the amount of money it would take to build this ridiculous wall? ---
**Author:** ![Weirddave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/919ad9/32.png) [@Weirddave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weirddave)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2006, 7:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/criminalizing-illegal-aliens/355130/67 "2006-05-06T07:08:59Z")
> [@Eva Luna](#): > > Yeah, I wonder how many jobs could be created in Mexico for the amount of money it would take to build this ridiculous wall? I don’t really care. Mexico can do whatever it wants in it’s own country, we’ll take care of our country. I’d much rather spend the money to keep those people who do not belong here out than to use it to subsidize the citizens of another country. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2006, 9:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/criminalizing-illegal-aliens/355130/68 "2006-05-06T09:36:42Z")
> [@Weirddave](#): > > I don’t really care. Mexico can do whatever it wants in it’s own country, we’ll take care of our country. I’d much rather spend the money to keep those people who do not belong here out than to use it to subsidize the citizens of another country. Does the phrase “cut off your nose to spite your face” ring a bell ? If it costs as much either way, why bother ? That’s assuming building a wall doesn’t cost _more_ ( which I think it would ), and that it would work ( which I doubt ). ---
**Author:** ![black\_rabbit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f19dbf/32.png) [@black\_rabbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/black_rabbit)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2006, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/criminalizing-illegal-aliens/355130/69 "2006-05-06T17:07:30Z")
> [@Weirddave](#): > > No comment Bob? I’ve got one: > [@you](#): > > One of the reasons that they are willing to take less is because they often don’t have to worry about things like taxes or benefits. Try to do a modicum of research before you make yourself look like an idiot. ---
**Author:** ![black\_rabbit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f19dbf/32.png) [@black\_rabbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/black_rabbit)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2006, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/criminalizing-illegal-aliens/355130/70 "2006-05-06T17:16:52Z")
> [@Misery Loves Co.](#): > > Thanks for the link - it was illuminating. > > I wonder how the numbers issued (1.2 million last year, 9.2 million numbers issued since 1996) compare with the number of undocumented or illegal aliens present. The estimated number of illegals varies from 8 - 18 Million, and I wonder what the “turnover” of ITINs is (I.E., does 9.2 ITINs issued in 10 years = 9.2 illegals with ITINs in 2006?) > > Because depending on the answer, anywhere from 10% to 90% are paying taxes. > > Bears more examination. Many more illegals use fake SSNs than use ITNs, and they pay taxes, too. [url=“[http://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/05/business/05immigration.html?ei=5090&en=78c87ac4641dc383&ex=1270353600&partner=kmarx&pagewanted=all&position=](http://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/05/business/05immigration.html?ei=5090&en=78c87ac4641dc383&ex=1270353600&partner=kmarx&pagewanted=all&position=)”]Cite (again). ---
**Author:** ![black\_rabbit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f19dbf/32.png) [@black\_rabbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/black_rabbit)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2006, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/criminalizing-illegal-aliens/355130/71 "2006-05-06T17:18:37Z")
[Dammit](http://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/05/business/05immigration.html?ei=5090&en=78c87ac4641dc383&ex=1270353600&partner=kmarx&pagewanted=all&position=). ---
**Author:** ![Zoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a4c791/32.png) [@Zoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zoe)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2006, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/criminalizing-illegal-aliens/355130/72 "2006-05-06T22:37:24Z")
_If_ being an illegal alien is a crime, what’s to become of those who aid and abet by providing jobs and housing? ---
**Author:** ![Weirddave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/919ad9/32.png) [@Weirddave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weirddave)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2006, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/criminalizing-illegal-aliens/355130/73 "2006-05-06T23:00:49Z")
> [@black455](#): > > I’ve got one: > > Try to do a modicum of research before you make yourself look like an idiot. I’ve done plenty of research, what exactly is it about my statement that you have a problem with? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/criminalizing-illegal-aliens/355130.md?page=3)