Amnesty should first be granted to any human being who's life is in danger if they are deported. There are many human beings who want amnesty, and it would be nice if we could grant all their wishes. But many people are already in the system, who's lives will surely be taken if they are deported.

When I read about Elvira Arellano, I was both sad for her and also irritated with her. I understand that she prefers to live in the U.S. because she had her son here and it would improve his financial well-being, but there are human beings from North Vietnam, from Central America, and from several African countries who can not return home or they will be killed. These lives are every bit as important as the financial well being of Ms. Arellano's son, who would not be in danger if he were forced to grow up with his mother in Mexico.

What irritated me beyond that is the fact that not ONE Latino Advocacy group had the time to deal with our case...when my fiance is going to certain death if he is deported. Not ONE politician, news agency, or other organization ran to support us, yet they promoted this woman's case wholeheartedly and even called her an "activist" for immigrant rights. I disagree! Had she been an activist for immigrant rights, she would have considered people's lives who were in danger of being murdered before promoting the financial well being of her own life. That is what an activist does!

The fact that all these organizations use the cases that garner the most sympathy, rather than promoting urgency is appalling to me as a Latina. I'm ashamed that we exploited Ms. Arellano's situation, instead of saving a life. I would have backed ANYONE, who was in danger of being murdered, which is what sanctuary is for...but I can't back the selfish quest of a woman, simply because she has a case that works for great public relations interests. Let's get real, Latinos! We have many who's lives are at stake. Can't we be more objective?

If it is to save a life...AMNESTY and SANCTUARY ALL THE WAY...no matter who it is!

If it is for financial gain...wait your turn.

I WOULD VOTE FOR AMNESTY,ONLY FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE AT LEAST FIVE YEARS AND MORE.THEY SHOULD ALSO PROVE INCOME TAX. BECAUSE I AM ONE OF THEM. /THE FACT I AM 17 YEARS HERE AND APPLY FOR PERMANENT RESIDENCE ON JANUARY 16 1998 WITH MY ATTORNEY HELP, WHO STOLD MY MONEY AND TOOK OFF.RECENTLY I EVEN DON'T KNOW WHERE ARE ALL MY APPLICATIONS AND MY ATTORNEY.BY THE CHANCE I WOULD REALLY THANKFUL, IF SOMEONE WILL BE ABLE TO HELP ME . MY PROPOSAL CRITERIA FOR AMNESTY WILL INCLUDED SOMEOPNE WHO ; 1; IS AT LEAST 5 YEARS IN THE USA, 2.PAY TAXES. 3.HAS AT LIST HICH SCHOOL DIPLOMA FROM THEIR COUNTRY. 4 WASN'T NEVER COVICTED OF CRIME OR ANY FELONY 5.CAME TO THIS COUNTRY LEGALLY. 6.LIVES POSITIVE MORAL LIFE. I DON'T THINK THAT WILL BE FAIR,IF ANYONE WOULD GET AMNESTY. ANYONE WHO BROKE LAW SHOULD GO BACK TO THEIR COUNTRY /FELONY,CRIME,FALSE DOCUMENTS / SOMEONE WHO GOT PERMANENT RESIDENCY OR CITISENSHIP BY ' MARRIAGE FOR GRREEN CARD' ALSO SHOULD BE SEND OUT./THE COMMITED A CRIME /I KNOW MANY PEOPLE WHO GOT MARRIED AND AFTER TWO YEARS GOT PAPERS ,AND THEN DIVORCE. GOOD PEOPLE,WHO FALLOW A LAW AND LIFE NORMAL LIFE,USUALLY HAVE TO WAIT VERY LONG . I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF SOMEONE CAN RELLY HELP ME I MY SITUATION ,WHICH IS VERY DIFFICULT,BECAUSE MY ATTORNEY WHO WAS REPRESENTING ME FRONT OF IMMIGRATION OFFICE FALSELY FILLED OUT DOCUMENTS.PLEASE E-MAIL ME IF I CAN GET HELP SO I CAN PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION ABOUT MY IMMIGRATION STATUS. THANK YOU SO MUCH . "RED ROSE"

Amnesty should be granted to those who helps strengthen this country.
The law set by the U.S. government abetted law breaking by providing loopholes such as the I-245s, amnesties (in 1986), and making it easy for people without legal immigrant status to land jobs. It's like saying "yeah, don't break our laws but if you DO break our laws, then you can get a job (oh, we won't check) help build our economy while you file a I-245 or wait for another amnesty". If the government was really serious about enforcing the immigration laws, they could have done what most other countries have done; make it impossible for the illegal immigrants to financially support themselves by monitoring employers and not providing any loopholes. Illegal immigration problem is the outcome of the U.S. government's aiding and abetting of it. Ofcourse, everyone's a victim. The Americans as well as the illegal immigrants who's heard the success stories of the illegal immigrants before them. Somewhere the line DOES have to be drawn. But there are so many lives that would be completely destroyed (both American economy and families) thanks to the mishaps by the U.S. immigration system. Let them close the border, make it so that nobody can ever slip through the cracks ever again, get rid of the loopholes, make it impossible to get a job without thorough background checks, get rid of the violent criminals, and let those who are already here provide strength to our country.