That isn't true at all. Proposition 187 tried to do away with benefits for illegals back in 1994. It was passed with 58% of the vote. The problem was that it was poorly written, and was struck down by a federal judge. They were a burden to social services then, they are still a burden today.As for illegal or legal, this is just another oversimplification. There are plenty of illegals here who are hard working. Some who even have sons and daughters in the military, I might add. Up until recently there was never and government push for these people to be legalized. It was always an "accepted" thing in areas like Los Angeles and California. Then, ever since 9/11 and the "terrorists within our borders" mentality," it seems like every illegal alien has been a scapegoat for all of America's problems.
The population was far less back then. Another point often used is, "illegals do the jobs that Americans wont do." They forget to mention the second line, "at those wages." An example is the construction industry. Wages have been depressed for honest American contractors, because they can't competer financially with contractors that hire illegals. The bad contractors, don't pay workman's comp. If a legit contractor wants to pay a worker $20 bucks an hour, he has to pay an additional $10 per hour for workmans comp.I read somewhere back in the 70's there was actually a push BY our government to get folks from Mexico to come here and work in the fields of California, so I guess a lot of whether it's beneficial to have illegals or not depends on America's economic standpoint at the time - not that I"m agreeing with that mentality, by the way.
(i'm being true to my "insensative ways,")Even if they did - and I don't even think it's possible by the way - round up every single illegal in this country and sent them back to their native land, then people would start complaining about how much more expensive things would become. Farmers, store and restaurant owners, etc. would have to hire people at higher rates, which in turn would cost the consumer more $$$. Then people could start complaining about that too.
They should send all the fat / lazy 4th generation welfare/ section 8 people to work in the fields, and the restaurants. This will never happen because these same people always vote (D), and no California politician wants to lose their core constituency.
Republicans are just as guilty, because they like the "cheap labor" for their big corporate/ farm donors.