Comments on: ‘I am the same as everyone else’ http://nevadasagebrush.com/blog/2008/04/15/%e2%80%98i-am-the-same-as-everyone-else%e2%80%99/ Serving the students of the University of Nevada, Reno since 1893. Wed, 15 Oct 2008 20:58:13 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: Obama08 http://nevadasagebrush.com/blog/2008/04/15/%e2%80%98i-am-the-same-as-everyone-else%e2%80%99/#comment-16511 Obama08 Thu, 01 May 2008 04:52:26 +0000 http://nevadasagebrush.com/blog/2008/04/15/%e2%80%98i-am-the-same-as-everyone-else%e2%80%99/#comment-16511 PS Olavo Do you remember that you didn't use a SSN when you applied to college? They don't ask for it due to security reasons. Only for financial aid. Get over yourself. I like you "Bob" :) PS Olavo

Do you remember that you didn’t use a SSN when you applied to college? They don’t ask for it due to security reasons. Only for financial aid. Get over yourself.

I like you “Bob” :)

]]> By: Obama08 http://nevadasagebrush.com/blog/2008/04/15/%e2%80%98i-am-the-same-as-everyone-else%e2%80%99/#comment-16510 Obama08 Thu, 01 May 2008 04:50:26 +0000 http://nevadasagebrush.com/blog/2008/04/15/%e2%80%98i-am-the-same-as-everyone-else%e2%80%99/#comment-16510 This story was by far the best researched, written and detailed of all the stories this year Sagebrush. For those of you who say "I shouldn't feel bad for 'illegal immigrants'" try thinking again. I used to feel the same way. As a white person I was against free riding and the whole system that goes with it. I started listening to Latino's views, educating myself on the process of becoming a citizen and the wall George Bush wants to build at our boarder- how very Chinese Commi of you Bush. But you are ignorant when you say they are doing all this harm to our country. First, they are paying taxes so technically they are not free riders to begin with. Secondly, people like Jose have called the USA their home and know more US culture and speak English better than their parents' native land. Undocumented immigrants like Jose want a better life for themselves, the very reason their parents brought them here (like all of our ancestors!) Undocumented folks like Jose are so scared of being deported that they stay as far away from crime as they can. If they get busted by the law, they will go back. Give Jose and people like him a break. He receives no financial aid, no loans and little to no help from his parents. He busts his ass to get a college degree so he can have a successful future unlike being a poor farmer in Mexico or other Latin American countries. You're in college- open your mind to these issues. The more racism and ignorance we have, the longer these issues will take to resolve. By reaching out to help struggling immigrants, only then can we have a beautiful UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. Get involved with the Latino Research Center Student Advisory Board on campus. It will change your perspective and your life. This story was by far the best researched, written and detailed of all the stories this year Sagebrush. For those of you who say “I shouldn’t feel bad for ‘illegal immigrants’” try thinking again. I used to feel the same way. As a white person I was against free riding and the whole system that goes with it. I started listening to Latino’s views, educating myself on the process of becoming a citizen and the wall George Bush wants to build at our boarder- how very Chinese Commi of you Bush. But you are ignorant when you say they are doing all this harm to our country. First, they are paying taxes so technically they are not free riders to begin with. Secondly, people like Jose have called the USA their home and know more US culture and speak English better than their parents’ native land. Undocumented immigrants like Jose want a better life for themselves, the very reason their parents brought them here (like all of our ancestors!) Undocumented folks like Jose are so scared of being deported that they stay as far away from crime as they can. If they get busted by the law, they will go back. Give Jose and people like him a break. He receives no financial aid, no loans and little to no help from his parents. He busts his ass to get a college degree so he can have a successful future unlike being a poor farmer in Mexico or other Latin American countries. You’re in college- open your mind to these issues. The more racism and ignorance we have, the longer these issues will take to resolve. By reaching out to help struggling immigrants, only then can we have a beautiful UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. Get involved with the Latino Research Center Student Advisory Board on campus. It will change your perspective and your life.

]]> By: Bob aka Maria http://nevadasagebrush.com/blog/2008/04/15/%e2%80%98i-am-the-same-as-everyone-else%e2%80%99/#comment-14507 Bob aka Maria Tue, 22 Apr 2008 15:26:35 +0000 http://nevadasagebrush.com/blog/2008/04/15/%e2%80%98i-am-the-same-as-everyone-else%e2%80%99/#comment-14507 Fake SSN's are likely to be someone else's real SSN. It doesn't matter if they are "checked", as taxes will be reported under that number whether the person committing fraud wants it or not. This means the IRS will likely be knocking on the door of the person who "under-reported" their taxable income, even if that income was brought in by someone else illegally using their number. There are many difficult problems that need to be solved surrounding legal and illegal immigration, but making excuses for individuals breaking current laws isn't going to help the situation. It only perpetuates the problem and pisses off the people who try to follow the process. Fake SSN’s are likely to be someone else’s real SSN. It doesn’t matter if they are “checked”, as taxes will be reported under that number whether the person committing fraud wants it or not. This means the IRS will likely be knocking on the door of the person who “under-reported” their taxable income, even if that income was brought in by someone else illegally using their number.

There are many difficult problems that need to be solved surrounding legal and illegal immigration, but making excuses for individuals breaking current laws isn’t going to help the situation. It only perpetuates the problem and pisses off the people who try to follow the process.

]]> By: Olavo Kluft http://nevadasagebrush.com/blog/2008/04/15/%e2%80%98i-am-the-same-as-everyone-else%e2%80%99/#comment-14434 Olavo Kluft Mon, 21 Apr 2008 22:08:39 +0000 http://nevadasagebrush.com/blog/2008/04/15/%e2%80%98i-am-the-same-as-everyone-else%e2%80%99/#comment-14434 I am tired of people telling me I should feel sorry for illegal immigrants who are using services paid for by legal taxpayers, not paying taxes, stealing identities, committing fraud, filling our jails, sending money out of the country, driving up health care costs, not respecting our laws, and thinking we owe them something. Foreign students who are here legally pay out of state tuition and have to go through a lot to attend college. Jose is a foreign student who is here illegally and did not go through any of the proper channels to attend school here. Both of his parents have fake Social Security Cards and we do not know the story of the people who’s identities they stole or how much damage they have caused in the lives of the people they are impersonating. I will have to assume that Jose used a fake Social Security Number for his application to UNR. Jose and his entire family are criminals. It does not matter how nice of people Jose and his family are, they are here illegally and should be deported before they rip us off more. I am tired of people telling me I should feel sorry for illegal immigrants who are using services paid for by legal taxpayers, not paying taxes, stealing identities, committing fraud, filling our jails, sending money out of the country, driving up health care costs, not respecting our laws, and thinking we owe them something. Foreign students who are here legally pay out of state tuition and have to go through a lot to attend college. Jose is a foreign student who is here illegally and did not go through any of the proper channels to attend school here. Both of his parents have fake Social Security Cards and we do not know the story of the people who’s identities they stole or how much damage they have caused in the lives of the people they are impersonating. I will have to assume that Jose used a fake Social Security Number for his application to UNR. Jose and his entire family are criminals. It does not matter how nice of people Jose and his family are, they are here illegally and should be deported before they rip us off more.

]]> By: Donica http://nevadasagebrush.com/blog/2008/04/15/%e2%80%98i-am-the-same-as-everyone-else%e2%80%99/#comment-13992 Donica Thu, 17 Apr 2008 07:48:11 +0000 http://nevadasagebrush.com/blog/2008/04/15/%e2%80%98i-am-the-same-as-everyone-else%e2%80%99/#comment-13992 I thought this story was very well done. It provides an insight into a situation that millions of people in this country face everyday. The rest of us benefit from the work that they do, but we know little about what it costs them to be here. We rarely balance the debate about immigration with a realistic look at the many ways our economy and social life depend on this work force, or on the human costs of current immigration policies. For those who asked why Jose's family hasn't yet applied for or been granted citizenship, read some of <a href="http://news.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/04/11/share-your-immigration-story/index.html" rel="nofollow">these stories</a> from The New York Times. I thought this story was very well done. It provides an insight into a situation that millions of people in this country face everyday. The rest of us benefit from the work that they do, but we know little about what it costs them to be here.

We rarely balance the debate about immigration with a realistic look at the many ways our economy and social life depend on this work force, or on the human costs of current immigration policies.

For those who asked why Jose’s family hasn’t yet applied for or been granted citizenship, read some of these stories from The New York Times.

]]> By: Bob http://nevadasagebrush.com/blog/2008/04/15/%e2%80%98i-am-the-same-as-everyone-else%e2%80%99/#comment-13956 Bob Wed, 16 Apr 2008 21:58:08 +0000 http://nevadasagebrush.com/blog/2008/04/15/%e2%80%98i-am-the-same-as-everyone-else%e2%80%99/#comment-13956 Check the story again Corinna. Jose isn't using a stolen social security card. It's a fake one. He isn't harming another person by using a "stolen" S.S. card. The thing is, no one bothers checking it, so that's how it's not detected. Jose isn't "blatantly disregarding" anyone by using a fake social security card. The only hurt in the long run would be him if he got caught. How about you quit extrapolating from the story? Check the story again Corinna. Jose isn’t using a stolen social security card. It’s a fake one. He isn’t harming another person by using a “stolen” S.S. card.

The thing is, no one bothers checking it, so that’s how it’s not detected.

Jose isn’t “blatantly disregarding” anyone by using a fake social security card. The only hurt in the long run would be him if he got caught.

How about you quit extrapolating from the story?

]]> By: Corinna http://nevadasagebrush.com/blog/2008/04/15/%e2%80%98i-am-the-same-as-everyone-else%e2%80%99/#comment-13938 Corinna Wed, 16 Apr 2008 15:54:36 +0000 http://nevadasagebrush.com/blog/2008/04/15/%e2%80%98i-am-the-same-as-everyone-else%e2%80%99/#comment-13938 No matter the reasons for doing so, using stolen social security numbers should be enough reason to deport a person to his country of origin. Jose seems oblivious to the anxiety, credit damage, wasted time and money caused when law-abiding citizens suddenly receive notifications from the IRS that they've underpaid their taxes when someone like Jose has been working under a stolen SSN. Yeah, it's tough to become a citizen, and maybe it's not fair that Jose had no choice to move here. But his blatant disregard for the problems he may be causing someone else indicates he might not respect other tough laws he judges unfair. Is this the type of person we want to reward with citizenship? No matter the reasons for doing so, using stolen social security numbers should be enough reason to deport a person to his country of origin.

Jose seems oblivious to the anxiety, credit damage, wasted time and money caused when law-abiding citizens suddenly receive notifications from the IRS that they’ve underpaid their taxes when someone like Jose has been working under a stolen SSN.

Yeah, it’s tough to become a citizen, and maybe it’s not fair that Jose had no choice to move here. But his blatant disregard for the problems he may be causing someone else indicates he might not respect other tough laws he judges unfair. Is this the type of person we want to reward with citizenship?

]]> By: Bob http://nevadasagebrush.com/blog/2008/04/15/%e2%80%98i-am-the-same-as-everyone-else%e2%80%99/#comment-13855 Bob Tue, 15 Apr 2008 23:23:39 +0000 http://nevadasagebrush.com/blog/2008/04/15/%e2%80%98i-am-the-same-as-everyone-else%e2%80%99/#comment-13855 Read the story again. Jose has a tax identification number which means he can pay taxes. Also, his parents have applied for citizenship, but if you're not aware, it costs a lot of money and takes many years to process. This story was incredibly well-written, well-researched, and balanced. Jose is to be commended because he's taking advantage of his situation. It wasn't his decision to be smuggled into the country by his parents-- nor should they be blamed for trying to survive and put food on their table. It is a fact that college-educated people contribute to the nation's economy and job force, which is the reason education is subsidized. It's a positive externality. Like Prof. Perez said, he should continue with his school so he can make a case for citizenship later. Thank you to Ms. Jessica Fryman and the newspaper for publishing such a great piece of journalism. Read the story again.

Jose has a tax identification number which means he can pay taxes.

Also, his parents have applied for citizenship, but if you’re not aware, it costs a lot of money and takes many years to process.

This story was incredibly well-written, well-researched, and balanced.

Jose is to be commended because he’s taking advantage of his situation. It wasn’t his decision to be smuggled into the country by his parents– nor should they be blamed for trying to survive and put food on their table.

It is a fact that college-educated people contribute to the nation’s economy and job force, which is the reason education is subsidized. It’s a positive externality.

Like Prof. Perez said, he should continue with his school so he can make a case for citizenship later.

Thank you to Ms. Jessica Fryman and the newspaper for publishing such a great piece of journalism.

]]> By: Weston Lippia http://nevadasagebrush.com/blog/2008/04/15/%e2%80%98i-am-the-same-as-everyone-else%e2%80%99/#comment-13849 Weston Lippia Tue, 15 Apr 2008 22:06:15 +0000 http://nevadasagebrush.com/blog/2008/04/15/%e2%80%98i-am-the-same-as-everyone-else%e2%80%99/#comment-13849 I agree. If 'Jose' has been here so long, then why not get the ball rolling in the process. Has he been paying taxes? If he has not he should not be at the University of Nevada as the U of N is funded by our tuition dollars, as well as tax dollars. I agree. If ‘Jose’ has been here so long, then why not get the ball rolling in the process. Has he been paying taxes? If he has not he should not be at the University of Nevada as the U of N is funded by our tuition dollars, as well as tax dollars.

]]> By: Mike Rodriguez http://nevadasagebrush.com/blog/2008/04/15/%e2%80%98i-am-the-same-as-everyone-else%e2%80%99/#comment-13826 Mike Rodriguez Tue, 15 Apr 2008 18:22:40 +0000 http://nevadasagebrush.com/blog/2008/04/15/%e2%80%98i-am-the-same-as-everyone-else%e2%80%99/#comment-13826 Maybe I missed it, but why hasn't Jose applied for citizenship or permanent status? http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis The article is somewhat contradictory, as Jose (and many others) have been given great opportunity in this country. Jose's story seems to contradict the notion of fear of retribution. This doesn't really go with the blacked out face you've given him. The only issue I see with his situation is that he has chosen not to be honest with the country that has given him so many great opportunities (and kudos to him for maximizing his potential here). Perhaps the real problem is that it's easier to lie to get what you want in America than it is to be honest and go through the process. Maybe I missed it, but why hasn’t Jose applied for citizenship or permanent status?

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis

The article is somewhat contradictory, as Jose (and many others) have been given great opportunity in this country. Jose’s story seems to contradict the notion of fear of retribution. This doesn’t really go with the blacked out face you’ve given him.

The only issue I see with his situation is that he has chosen not to be honest with the country that has given him so many great opportunities (and kudos to him for maximizing his potential here).

Perhaps the real problem is that it’s easier to lie to get what you want in America than it is to be honest and go through the process.

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