My aunt and my grandmother are so anti-immigrant it's scary

[KingFlorez]

My grandmother is usually pretty liberal on most issues and my aunt votes democrat and republican depending on the issue, but is usually tolerant. But when it comes to immigrants, they are not tolerant. My aunt was saying to my mom the other day that if she could have a homeless shelter for woman and children, she wouldn't let any Mexicans in and say if you can't speak english you can't come in and my grandmother agreed with that. My mom later was telling my grandma that kind of attitude was wrong, but she didn't change her mind.

[GreenPartyVoter]

1. Native Americans, are they?

[KingFlorez]

4. African-American

[Rude Horner]

13. EXCELLENT response to people like that!

"Native Americans, are they?"

I have in-laws who are big into the "if you wanna live in America, learn to speak English!" ideology.

I will remember your response the next time they say something.:applause:

[GreenPartyVoter]

16. :^) I wasn't the first to come up with that. In fact, I think I read it on

DU at some point.

[noahmijo]

2. I've noticed alot of older usually liberal thinking people are cons when

it comes to immigrants.

Well like I always tell people that are that vehemently anti-immigrant they should immediatly boycott all grocery stores and refuse to eat fruits and vegetables because it is a garuntee that all the ones sold in the states have been touched by illegal hands in one way or another.

[maxsolomon]

3. xenophobia is a natural human condition

you have to confront it to overcome it.

and just today a poll of mexicans came out where 70 million said they'd immigrate to the states if they could. or something. it was on NPR. that ain't gonna help change attitudes.

[Kolesar]

5. The "homeless shelter" remark is pretty cold, but...

...having hundreds of thousands of people crossing our border every year without documentation is--how shall I say--dicey?

[KingFlorez]

10. I agree that illegal immigration is a problem

But their comments are directed at Mexicans in general.

[Beaver Tail]

6. Can't speak english?

What happens if you are a mute?

[kath]

7. Dean, on Face the Nation (or whatever) on Sunday, said that the Pug

noise machine is gearing up BIGTIME to demonize immigrants. Gay marriage was the big hate issue last time, and in 2006 it will be immigrants, sez Dean. (the transcript is available somewhere).

FWIW, contrary to what some here had to say, I thought Dean was AWESOME on that show...

[Kolesar]

14. The gops win both ways

The corporate types get to exploit the cheap labor for hotels & landscaping under the threat of deportation and the hateful types get someone to focus their viscious attacks against. They are leaving themselves open for problems. Pete Wilson and the California pukes attacked immigrants and it cost him the governorship and made the state even more blue. :popcorn:

[NewJeffCT]

18. I still think it will be gay marriage

they'll just get it on the ballot in other swing states.

[Norquist Nemesis]

8. The "Mexicans" have replaced the Chinese and Irish

Not excusing it by any means what so ever. I'm just saying that it seems every generation has its ethnic/racial scapegoat.

Immigrants are what have helped to build this country and make it a great nation. It's the ILLEGAL activities that are hurting and causing risk...both from illegal immigrants AND those who illegally EMPLOY them without consequences.

I'll confess, though. When it comes to holdin the office of President, I'm a bigoted xenophobe.

[Stuckinthebush]

9. Here is one method to get them to think

When they say something like that, look at them coldly and say in a quiet voice, "That is one of the most evil things I have ever heard come from your mouth."

Then walk away.

That will get them thinking about what they just said.

[dchill]

11. BTDT

(Been there, done that) - All four of my grandparents were like that. They didn't understand that America is a nation of immigrants. Why should everyone speak English? It wasn't spoken here until those immigrants came here in the early 1600's. But that was different.

[Burma Jones]

12. I've just come back from a Costa Rican Vacation

I think there are more US citizens emigrating to Costa Rica than Costa Ricans coming here - seriously. CR has no army to terrorize its populace, it provides education and health care, it is absolutely beautiful, it is environmentally green. It is not the kind of place you would want to leave....

The point is, if you want to reduce immigration to the USA, make the rest of the world a more desirable place to live. Of course, as trends continue, the USA may be little better than Mexico (at least to potential immigrants) soon.....

[caligirl]

15. The 2006 wedge issue ala Rove: immigrants are at fault. no matter

Repugs won't give up the cheap labor.

[ComerPerro]

17. Sick, isn't it? A lot of my family is pretty disgusting in that way

Its embarassing sometimes.

I'd like to see these people function in another country without any understand of the language, and with no one who is willing to help you.