# If all the illegal workers up and left the US what would really happen? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [April 30, 2006, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-all-the-illegal-workers-up-and-left-the-us-what-would-really-happen/354800 "2006-04-30T02:00:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![rwong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e9bcb4/32.png) [@rwong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rwong)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2006, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-all-the-illegal-workers-up-and-left-the-us-what-would-really-happen/354800/41 "2006-05-19T20:08:53Z")
[QUOTE=Antinor01] Yes, give them medical treatment. Then check their status and if they are here illegally, deport them. [/QUOTE] On 5/1/06 they should have surrounded L.A. with the national guards and rounded up several million of them, kick them out and if citizens protesting were rounded up by mistake, they can write a letter to their Congressman to get back in the U.S.. The only reason deportation won’t work is they can come back over. There aren’t enough Guards patrolling the border. ---
**Author:** ![Menocchio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de053/32.png) [@Menocchio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Menocchio)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2006, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-all-the-illegal-workers-up-and-left-the-us-what-would-really-happen/354800/42 "2006-05-19T20:16:39Z")
[QUOTE=rwong] On 5/1/06 they should have surrounded L.A. with the national guards and rounded up several million of them, kick them out and if citizens protesting were rounded up by mistake, they can write a letter to their Congressman to get back in the U.S.. [/QUOTE] That’s the single worst idea I’ve ever heard on these boards. ---
**Author:** ![rwong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e9bcb4/32.png) [@rwong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rwong)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2006, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-all-the-illegal-workers-up-and-left-the-us-what-would-really-happen/354800/43 "2006-05-19T20:29:58Z")
[QUOTE=rjung] I’m curious – do you mean that everyone who protested was an illegal alien? Or that you’re only pissed off at the ones who were? And how _did_ you identify the illegals out of all the legal residents and citizens who were protesting out of solidarity? And yet you didn’t bother to target your ire at them. Interesting. [/QUOTE] If they prostested, they may as well be an alien. They are probably harboring alien family members and hiding them from U.S. Immigration. Essentially they are all defying laws that were meant to create order and fairness for all immigrants. “F@#K everyone else waiting in line, I want my Aunt and Uncle here first” Half of my family were immigrants, followed due process and all made it here in about 10 years. It’s insulting to see everyone break the law and we had to wait. I have no remorse if they were all deported. They brought this on themselves and their loved ones. :mad: Nobody said they aren’t allowed to enjoy our luxaries. Their mother apparently didn’t teach them to wait their turn. Businesses is big thorn for hiring aliens under the table at $3.00 an hour or $20.00 a day. I see construction contractors picking up aliens for work at my local home depot all the time. They are using NAFTA to do it legally now and keeping the aliens on the otherside of the fence. Lay everyone off and send the factories to Mexico. Can’t win for losing. ---
**Author:** ![rwong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e9bcb4/32.png) [@rwong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rwong)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2006, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-all-the-illegal-workers-up-and-left-the-us-what-would-really-happen/354800/44 "2006-05-19T20:34:40Z")
[QUOTE=Menocchio] That’s the single worst idea I’ve ever heard on these boards. [/QUOTE] A little in-humane, but it would have made a big statement. ---
**Author:** ![rwong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e9bcb4/32.png) [@rwong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rwong)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2006, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-all-the-illegal-workers-up-and-left-the-us-what-would-really-happen/354800/45 "2006-05-19T21:35:45Z")
[QUOTE=Menocchio] That’s the single worst idea I’ve ever heard on these boards. [/QUOTE] Curious, Why is this a bad idea? Is it because we would have actually deported illegals, instead of giving idle threats all these years? Reality hits hard when action is actually taken instead of the idle banter we are having on chat boards. Vision without action is a daydream, Action without vision is a nightmare. I envision aliens being sent to the end of the line, borders guarded, and the immigrants who filed paperwork should move into the space where aliens use to live. Let’s make this happen. I have more family members trying to get in the correct way. ---
**Author:** ![DMC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dmc/32/18049_2.png) [@DMC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMC)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2006, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-all-the-illegal-workers-up-and-left-the-us-what-would-really-happen/354800/46 "2006-05-20T03:03:22Z")
[QUOTE=DrDeth] You make a good point, but that 1.2 millions ITINs is 1/10th the number of Illegals. Some of the rest do indeed file using their fake SSNs. [/QUOTE] Actually, that’s the number of ITINs issued in a single year. Unless 10 times that many illegal immigrants entered this country last year, that’s a lot higher than 1/10th of them. The IRS had already issued well over 5 million ITINS by 2002, so the number of ITINs out there today is probably pretty close to the number of illegal immigrants. ---
**Author:** ![DMC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dmc/32/18049_2.png) [@DMC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMC)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2006, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-all-the-illegal-workers-up-and-left-the-us-what-would-really-happen/354800/47 "2006-05-20T03:22:43Z")
[QUOTE=Little Plastic Ninja] Speaking from personal experience, at least one individual using a false SSN just claimed a crapload of deductions so that almost no income taxes were withheld from their paycheck whatsoever. Naturally, they did not file in April, so I was left with a bill of over $1000, when I was in college and had made barely that amount in the entire year. [/QUOTE] I have no idea what this has to do with the debate at hand. I can’t find any government web site that gives any indication that identity theft is predominantly caused by illegal immigrants. > [@](#): > > And while I think everyone in the world deserves the chance to have food, clothing, shelter, and reasonable medical care, I don’t think that individuals who crossed over illegally and are living in this country, working without permits, and generally falling into the category of “illegal alien” should receive the same benefits as citizens. And they don’t. ---
**Author:** ![DMC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dmc/32/18049_2.png) [@DMC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMC)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2006, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-all-the-illegal-workers-up-and-left-the-us-what-would-really-happen/354800/48 "2006-05-20T03:25:21Z")
[QUOTE=rwong] The argument is - **They cheated and cut in front of everyone else waiting in line legally and living on stolen SSN to apply for welfare.** [/QUOTE] How many illegal immigrants are collecting welfare? ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2006, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-all-the-illegal-workers-up-and-left-the-us-what-would-really-happen/354800/49 "2006-05-20T03:29:23Z")
[QUOTE=rwong] Curious, Why is this a bad idea? [/quote] [Trial lawyer] Woo hoo! [/trial lawyer] You really will not like the sight of thousands of trial lawyers salivating for a sure pay. > [@](#): > > Is it because we would have actually deported illegals, instead of giving idle threats all these years? > Reality hits hard when action is actually taken instead of the idle banter we are having on chat boards. Oh really? The actions I see so far are photo ops and pandering from the right, a fantasy world is the one you propose. > [@](#): > > Vision without action is a daydream, Action without vision is a nightmare. Right you are, that is why not only illegals were protesting, there were about one million protesting peacefully, your side just produced about 500 in the latest counter protests. Now that we are not protesting, we are working. > [@](#): > > I envision aliens being sent to the end of the line, borders guarded, and the immigrants who filed paperwork should move into the space where aliens use to live. Let’s make this happen. Borders guarded, I can picture (with imaginary money as usual) the rest do sound like you do actually see illegals as Martians. > [@](#): > > I have more family members trying to get in the correct way. Me too, it just so happens that I was the illegal one, but the rest of the family helped prove I was here for X years to be then eventually legalized, the reality is that there is already precedents to do the human thing and allow many illegals that showed that they acted like model citizens for many years, to then have a chance to become one someday. ---
**Author:** ![rwong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e9bcb4/32.png) [@rwong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rwong)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2006, 8:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-all-the-illegal-workers-up-and-left-the-us-what-would-really-happen/354800/50 "2006-05-20T08:44:26Z")
[QUOTE=GIGObuster] [Trial lawyer] Me too, it just so happens that I was the illegal one, but the rest of the family helped prove I was here for X years to be then eventually legalized, the reality is that there is already precedents to do the human thing and allow many illegals that showed that they acted like model citizens for many years, to then have a chance to become one someday. [/QUOTE] So your saying that after committing a crime and then acting like model citizens, that they should be rewarded and what about the pissed off immigrants that are waiting in line. You say what I propose is a fantasy world, not true. Mass deportation is very real and many a politician has mulled over the idea. None of them had the guts to put it into action. Lawyers will sue for just about anything nowadays, like the woman who got a 10 million dollar refund for a cup of coffee at Mc Donalds. I could be sued for calling illegals “Martians” I suppose… ---
**Author:** ![rwong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e9bcb4/32.png) [@rwong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rwong)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2006, 8:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-all-the-illegal-workers-up-and-left-the-us-what-would-really-happen/354800/51 "2006-05-20T08:54:48Z")
[QUOTE=DMC] How many illegal immigrants are collecting welfare? [/QUOTE] I couldn’t give you a figure since I haven’t gone door to door personnally. I haven’t even counted the number of hair on my head lately, but it’s probably less then the amount of Illegal aliens in the U.S. Their children who are born legally here, do have valid SSN to collect welfare. Their stolen SSN are a bonus. They can even apply for Credit Cards. Maybe it’s your SSN they have, be afraid, be very afraid. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![rwong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e9bcb4/32.png) [@rwong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rwong)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2006, 9:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-all-the-illegal-workers-up-and-left-the-us-what-would-really-happen/354800/52 "2006-05-20T09:02:32Z")
[QUOTE=DMC] How many illegal immigrants are collecting welfare? [/QUOTE] I couldn’t give you a figure since I haven’t gone door to door personnally. I haven’t even counted the number of hair on my head lately, but it’s probably less then the amount of Illegal aliens in the U.S. Their children who are born legally here, do have valid SSN to collect welfare. Their stolen SSN are a bonus. They can even apply for Credit Cards. Maybe it’s your SSN they have, be afraid, be very afraid. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![DMC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dmc/32/18049_2.png) [@DMC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMC)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2006, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-all-the-illegal-workers-up-and-left-the-us-what-would-really-happen/354800/53 "2006-05-20T15:39:58Z")
[QUOTE=rwong] I couldn’t give you a figure since I haven’t gone door to door personnally. [/QUOTE] Is it one, a thousand, a million, a billion? > [@](#): > > I haven’t even counted the number of hair on my head lately, but it’s probably less then the amount of Illegal aliens in the U.S. With all the ruckus being raised, I would certainly hope so, since the town of Fargo, ND has as many residents as you have hairs on your head. > [@](#): > > Their children who are born legally here, do have valid SSN to collect welfare. They are eligible for food stamps and WIC, but how many children are collecting welfare? > [@](#): > > Their stolen SSN are a bonus. They can even apply for Credit Cards. How many illegal immigrants have stolen SSNs? > [@](#): > > Maybe it’s your SSN they have, be afraid, be very afraid. :eek: I’m a lot more concerned that some citizen will steal my identity. Do you steal identities? ---
**Author:** ![DMC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dmc/32/18049_2.png) [@DMC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMC)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2006, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-all-the-illegal-workers-up-and-left-the-us-what-would-really-happen/354800/54 "2006-05-20T15:45:11Z")
[QUOTE=rwong] ITheir children who are born legally here, do have valid SSN to collect welfare. [/QUOTE] For the record, those children aren’t illegal aliens, but citizens. Do you have a problem with them? ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2006, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-all-the-illegal-workers-up-and-left-the-us-what-would-really-happen/354800/55 "2006-05-20T16:56:32Z")
[QUOTE=rwong] So your saying that after committing a crime and then acting like model citizens, that they should be rewarded and what about the pissed off immigrants that are waiting in line. [/quote] Really missing the point, the other family members waiting in line get more pissed at the USA government for making harder for them, they were not upset at me they actually helped me. > [@](#): > > You say what I propose is a fantasy world, not true. > Mass deportation is very real and many a politician has mulled over the idea. > None of them had the guts to put it into action. :rolleyes: I have precedents to back up what I said, what you said here is actually acknowledging yours is a fantasy. > [@](#): > > Lawyers will sue for just about anything nowadays, like the woman who got a 10 million dollar refund for a cup of coffee at Mc Donalds. > > I could be sued for calling illegals “Martians” I suppose… Problem is that in your “realistic” plan you did not care if a good chunk (actually the majority of protesters for what I saw) of the deported would have been American citizens, by the time they get a hearing with their representatives and spend a lot of money proving who they are, the class action lawsuit would make the asbestos suit payments look like loose change. And it is noticeable that you don’t care that that money will come from all taxpayers, but not from the well to do that benefited from a weak border, they just got another tax cut from guys like Tancredo (that curiously enough, is one of the proponent of solutions like yours) and he and cronies laugh at guys like you all the way to the bank. ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2006, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-all-the-illegal-workers-up-and-left-the-us-what-would-really-happen/354800/56 "2006-05-20T22:44:27Z")
[QUOTE=rwong] On 5/1/06 they should have surrounded L.A. with the national guards and rounded up several million of them, kick them out and if citizens protesting were rounded up by mistake, they can write a letter to their Congressman to get back in the U.S.. The only reason deportation won’t work is they can come back over. There aren’t enough Guards patrolling the border. [/QUOTE] This grabbed my attention, since I live in L.A. and am just dark enough that I could get caught up in just such a dragnet. Any guy who did that to me, I’d have their ass quick. 1. I was born here. I have a right to be here. 2. I am not “one of the brown people” but what the heck, wops are close enough for you (?). 3. I am a federal employee, so I’d probably be able to get many agencies and people riled up - both civilian managers and military officers - DoD, NASA, DCMA, DCAA, the V.A., etc. 4. The false arrest and unlawful detainment charges would be a slam dunk. Lawsuits would follow against their agency, and against them personally. I would also pursue any criminal charges that might apply. 5. Any person involved in it - I would hold the grudge forever, and do anything ethical or unethical to ruin him forever and exact my revenge. It would be very very ugly, and it would never end. I’m a vengeful old bastard. ---
**Author:** ![tmcinroy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/51bf81/32.png) [@tmcinroy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tmcinroy)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2006, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-all-the-illegal-workers-up-and-left-the-us-what-would-really-happen/354800/57 "2006-05-21T02:47:06Z")
Does anyone really think that there are 11 million unemployed, employable, citizens in the country. Media reports suggest that some subsantial number of Undocumented workers receive more than minimum wage. If there is no way for illegals to become legal, how will we ever deal with them without spending vast sums on enforcement. Many of the political arguments I have heard strike me as impractical. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2006, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-all-the-illegal-workers-up-and-left-the-us-what-would-really-happen/354800/58 "2006-05-21T04:06:14Z")
[QUOTE=DMC] For the record, those children aren’t illegal aliens, but citizens. Do you have a problem with them? [/QUOTE] Not quite. They have a right to declare themselves citzens of the USA when they reach their majority. Some do, some don’t. ---
**Author:** ![DMC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dmc/32/18049_2.png) [@DMC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMC)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2006, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-all-the-illegal-workers-up-and-left-the-us-what-would-really-happen/354800/59 "2006-05-21T05:00:04Z")
[QUOTE=DrDeth] Not quite. They have a right to declare themselves citzens of the USA when they reach their majority. Some do, some don’t. [/QUOTE] Not according to the 14th amendment, Section 1, which certainly appears to be quite clear. **All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.** No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws. ---
**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 21, 2006, 5:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-all-the-illegal-workers-up-and-left-the-us-what-would-really-happen/354800/60 "2006-05-21T05:35:33Z")
[QUOTE=Antinor01] Yes, give them medical treatment. Then check their status and if they are here illegally, deport them. [/QUOTE] In which case, they’ll avoid getting medical care even more, and either die or require more expensive medical care when brought in. [QUOTE=rjung] And how did you identify the illegals out of all the legal residents and citizens who were protesting out of solidarity? [/QUOTE] Don’t you know ? Illegal immigrants all have horns and smell like brimstone; devilspawn, you know. [QUOTE=rwong] If they prostested, they may as well be an alien. They are probably harboring alien family members and hiding them from U.S. Immigration. [/QUOTE] _Or_ - maybe they _don’t agree with the laws_. Or with racism of this whole anti-immigrant crusade, or any number of things. Do the words “First Amendment” mean anything to you ? [QUOTE=rwong] I envision aliens being sent to the end of the line, borders guarded, and the immigrants who filed paperwork should move into the space where aliens use to live. Let’s make this happen. [/QUOTE] And when it turns out they were legal citizens or legal immigrants, and want their homes and businesses back ? [QUOTE=rwong] Mass deportation is very real and many a politician has mulled over the idea. None of them had the guts to put it into action. [/QUOTE] The same can be said of mass executions and nuclear war; that doesn’t make them bright ideas. Sometime’s even politicians can figure out that somethings a bad idea before actually doing it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-all-the-illegal-workers-up-and-left-the-us-what-would-really-happen/354800.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-all-the-illegal-workers-up-and-left-the-us-what-would-really-happen/354800.md?page=4)