The TRUTH is that Americans aren't there illegally. They aren't jumping over a fence, crawling under a fence, or being smuggled into the country with 50 other sardines in a moving truck.

As for undocumented workers...while it may be done, there is a very high penalty for doing so. Those who are not deported, definitely spend time in a Mexican prison...nothing like our country clubs in the US.

My father has spent much of his retirement traveling around Mexico and Latin America. He didn't set out to 'work' or 'barter', but he ended up helping a restaurant owner with her electrical problems last summer and she never allowed him to pay for any of his meals. My father and the other American ret...

The TRUTH is that Americans aren't there illegally. They aren't jumping over a fence, crawling under a fence, or being smuggled into the country with 50 other sardines in a moving truck.

As for undocumented workers...while it may be done, there is a very high penalty for doing so. Those who are not deported, definitely spend time in a Mexican prison...nothing like our country clubs in the US.

My father has spent much of his retirement traveling around Mexico and Latin America. He didn't set out to 'work' or 'barter', but he ended up helping a restaurant owner with her electrical problems last summer and she never allowed him to pay for any of his meals. My father and the other American retirees who spend time in Mexico LEGALLY add value and health to a largely 3rd world economy. My dad and his friends make an effort to learn Spanish. He has spent months in Spanish-only communities.

Irony? Hardly. It's retired Americans getting the most out of their retirement. A very different story from the illegal invasion we have in the US.

Despite the fact that some of them are illegal immigrants the truth is that Americans go there mainly because is cheaper and, as Annmairi said in the case of seniors, they can make better use of their retirement that way.There is nothing wrong with that. And yes, even if they don't do it in the name of good "samaritanism"; they add value.

Now, in the case of illegal immigrants in the US, there is no question they are here against the law, but that is only possible because American want it that way.
Is not that difficult to detect and deport illegal people if the authorities want to. Try to be illegal in Switzertland.
The truth is that the cost of getting rid of them is something American ...

Despite the fact that some of them are illegal immigrants the truth is that Americans go there mainly because is cheaper and, as Annmairi said in the case of seniors, they can make better use of their retirement that way.There is nothing wrong with that. And yes, even if they don't do it in the name of good "samaritanism"; they add value.

Now, in the case of illegal immigrants in the US, there is no question they are here against the law, but that is only possible because American want it that way.
Is not that difficult to detect and deport illegal people if the authorities want to. Try to be illegal in Switzertland.
The truth is that the cost of getting rid of them is something American people doesn't want to pay. Increased labor cost in agriculture and construction will mean higher prices we all will need to pay. It is better to look the other side and let them stay.
For those misinformed folks, yes, they pay taxes. They do it when they buy goods and many of them -those using fake SSN and ID cards and hired in good faith- have taxes, social security and medicare withheld from their salaries. For them there is an additional penalty: While they contributed to the different governments, they will be never able to claim a penny of Medicare or SS.
And, they also add value (that we all enjoy.)

So, while I agree that illegal immigration is bad and must be dealt with, I must say that the matter is not that easy. In this case 2+ 2 may not be 4.

Remember, not all the illegal immigrants are criminals nor all the criminals are illegal immigrants.

Kwon.