Illegal Immigrants: Does Austin Have a Big Immigration Problem?
"Is illegal immigration as big of a problem in Austin as it is here in CA?"Good question. We're not so close to the Texas border that we actually see the illegal border crossings, but we're close enough to be impacted at least a little. I've heard it said more than once that if you want to see the illegal immigration problem in Austin, just hang out in the parking lot of the Home Depot at I35 and St. John's.
But from the perspective of everyday life, I can't say that I really see much. How about you? What impact do you see or feel from illegal immigrants in Austin? If you've lived in both California and Central Texas, how different is the illegal immigration problem in the two states? Here are a few article on the subject:
- Posted back in January, a Guest post at Patterico's Pontifications discusses the changes in treatment of illegals in Austin, Texas: Former Santuary City. Then, this Statesman article from May of this year -- More illegal immigrants are being charged criminally in Austin -- talks about changes in the way the courts are treating undocumented immigrants here in Austin from the point of view of some of those affected. At UrbanGrounds Robbie Cooper presents a different point of view on this same article in Austin Cracking Down on Illegal Immigrants.
For those who might not know, a "santuary city" (Austin, Houston, and Katy, Texas are on the lists that I've seen) is one with an official or unofficial "don't ask, don't tell" policy. That is, police officers don't ask questions about immigration/citizenship status when stopping someone or making arrests.
- In the City-Data forums a man from Los Angeles posed a similiar question as Regina, asking if illegal immigration is having as big an impact on traffic, healthcare, and crime rates in Austin and the surrounding area as it has in California. Several replies talk about the cultural differences between Hispanics/Latinos in Texas and those in California.
So, talk to us about illegal immigration -- your views, your experiences, and how much of an impact does it have on your day-to-day life here in the Austin area.
Comments
Yes they are a problem! Not to mention the hordes that aid and harbor them, which magnify the problem. They attract them like flies to honey but they expect taxpayers to take care of their wards. The truth is, there is not enough private money to aid illegal aliens, so the “illegal huggers” put pressure on politicians to earmark money for them and to force taxpayers to come up with the cash.
It’s definitely a problem, especially in AISD. There’s an enormous tax burden and educational burden with the amount of illegal immigrants enrolled in schools.
There is no such thing as “illegal immigrants”. Until we began welcoming people to cross our border to do cheap labor, an immigrant was a person who applied for entry, and was…provided he/she met certain conditions…ALLOWED provisional entry. Breaking of laws meant a quick return to one’s original country. How do I know this? My family and I were immigrants to this country in 1950. We could not wait to become full-fledged Americans, and worked hard for that right. Many of today’s illegal entrants are a problem because of their attitudes, and our own mixed messages.
YES! Jacci, if you don’t know that Austin has an illegal immigration problem, you need to come down out of your little ivory tower.
My husband & I would LOVE to move to Belize or Costa Rica; however because of their immigration regulations are unable to afford it. And yet, every day there are people who have “immigrated” to Austin and DEMAND that their children be educated in Spanish; they suck up time, public funding and space at our emergency rooms; they basically steal money from the Austin tax-base by sending millions of dollars back to Mexico & other countries. They come over here to have their “anchor” babies and then expect medical care, early childhood developement classes and bilingual education for them because they were either too stupid or too lazy to learn English themselves and teach it to their kids.
As someone who previously owned an entertainment business in the Austin area, I feel there is a BIG problem, when a business owner or manager is cussed out in their own establishment because they do not have a Spanish-speaking staff member on duty at all times. The attitude of these people makes me want to throw-up.
Send them HOME! “anchor” baby or not - if they want to take the kids with them,fine; if not - the kids can go into the foster care system or put up for adoption and taught to be an American, not someone who wants the advantages but refuses to assimilate into the culture even just enough to learn English.
Tax the money that is being sent out of the country just as if it was being spent in the city or state and divide it the same way the sales tax is divvied up - use it to help pay for some of the services (extra teachers, extra cops, emergency room services, etc) that these people are currently forcing us to pay for through our tax dollars.
Oh yeah - and the police department’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy - EXCUSE ME - these people are breaking a FEDERAL LAW and yet these same “law enforcement” officers harrass people who are homeless or jaywalking and throw people in jail for P.I. based on “officer discretion”?!? Give me a break!!!!! (And no; I am neither homeless nor given to drinking in public, but I do watch what’s going on and talk to people…)
As far as the changes in Austin - last year we actually moved away from the city that I had loved all my life. I grew up in south Austin (I’m in my early 50’s), but the recent changes have turned Austin into a place I neither enjoy nor can afford. With the influx of people, both illegals from south and central America and those coming from LA, New York and other large cities (all wanting to morph Austin into some perverted version of the place they moved from) Austin is not Austin anymore.
My children still live in Austin and so we visit frequently and it is like going to see a dear friend who is dying of an incurable disease. Though she is not dead yet, I mourn her loss already.
Sherry is 100% correct in every area…Austin:show a little backbone-keep Austin weird,but not a 3rd world city!
It is way out of control. just look around. my neighbor upstairs is illegal and when his apartment was broken into he couldnt call police because he is illegal. i saw the people who did it and when i said we should call the police and he said in broken english “no, no , no social security cardo”.
well that tells me he is getting paid cash and not paying taxes. thats just one person above me. i cant imagine throughout the entire city. does anyone know how i can get out of paying taxes ? please let me know.
my grandmother was 87 and on a small limited income when she went to granny heaven. i cried for her when our government offered her $17.00 a month in food stamps. i couldnt believe it. when im shopping now and behind a hispanic family of ten that speaks no english and has 3 shopping carts full of food paying with a food stamp card it really makes me wonder and scratch my head. i personally blame our government. it seems they just arent doing enough to stop it.
and i could go on and on for hours but i will spare you the rest. im certain you already know exactly what im talking about.
It is not just a complaint that will do it. These folks WORK and LIVE somewhere, they SHOP and BUY and TAVEL. We need to boycott the industries that cater to them. Do not buy what they buy, let illegals be their ONLY business. If they live around you, complain or move out. “Since you employ illegals I cannot patronize your business any more.” Okay everyone say it at once. Remember this is OUR COUNTRY and if we do not stand up for it they will take it from us. Our kindness can only go so far.
….oh, and who ever made it a santuary city, be sure when you VOTE you get rid of those compliant. The more we do not speak up the more we are simply voting for a dictator and not a representative. I sure hope calls go out to City Hall as much as they end up on blogs.
I don’t think it’s a problem for most Austinites. In reality, we created the problem because we want to buy the products they provide to us. Want a cheaper house? Look who’s building these houses. Want a plate of restaurant food? Look who’s doing the work in the kitchen. Want to get your house cleaned? Purchase cheap produce? The list goes on and on… Those folks are here beause they fill a need that we have created.
If you want to boycott the source of this ‘problem’, go native, and refuse to purchase anything made by undocumented labor. You’ll change you mind once you realize we really depend on these folks. Of course, you could buy all your things from China, where many of the workers in the export markets work seven days and week, and often are fired for things like being pregnant, or getting old(>25). These immigrants are, by and large, our neighbors, and we have a lot to gain by having good relations with Latin America, especially, Mexico. Stop with the mean comments, and finish your burrito.
WOW, I didn’t realize how racist Austin residents were. Reading some of these comments take me back to the 1960’s civil rights movement with the blacks.
Austinites are not racists! We are just tired of having to support the thousands of illegal immigrants that are getting a free ride on the backs of hard working Americans. We are not just talking about Mexicans, but all who choose to come to America illegally and abuse all the free services they want.
There are hard working elderly in this country who can barely afford to live off the social security they receive after years of paying into the system. All because we are spreading our resources so thin to provide for the flocks of illegals and all their children.
I work in a public school and watch every day in disgust by how illegals milk the system. They pay no taxes and expect for their children to be taught in Spanish. They provide no support for their children at home nor do they support the teachers who break their back everyday to try and educate their children. I watch them pick up their children in brand new cars and SUVs’ while the teachers and US citizens struggle to make ends meet. They have nice jewelry and fancy bags but can’t afford to buy their kids a pair of prescription eyeglasses because they can’t get Medicaid because they are illegal.
Spend sometime in a Wal-Mart and watch illegals buy 100’s of dollars of groceries on WIC and Lone Star. While you debate on buying yourself a treat because it doesn’t fit in your monthly budget. Watch them let their children run wild in the store while they pick out their free items.
I have no problem with foreigners who want to live here, but do it the right way and stop expecting us take of you and your millions of offspring.
Hey Sandy- you may not understand this but you’re a RACIST. You view people who are not like you as animals and not as human beings. The only reason you do this is because they speak Spanish and are brown. Guess what? This makes you a RACIST. You don’t even know if all the people you hate are actually here illegally. Guess what? This makes you a RACIST. Quit whining and get over yourself. You are not better than anyone else.
First, everyone takes advantage of the system even WHITE people. Sandy you talk about hardworking people, who do you think is outside in the 100 degree heat building those houses or fixing the roads. YES…it’s Mexicans!! You mention how you work in a school, I seriously think you should look into another profession teachers should not be bias towards anyone. How do you know what kind of support these children are getting at home? They’re parents are sending them to school, obviously they want them to have an education. Otherwise, I think they’d just leave them at home. You can walk through Wal-Mart and see children of every color misbehave, it’s not just “Mexican” children that misbehave. To not call yourself RACIST, when your clearly only seeing color is ridiculous. Enjoy the culture and the fact that we are a diverse city! Tell me you don’t like Mexican food…..come on….and if you say you don’t you’re probably lying.
A Plead for your compassion and understanding:
I was born in the USA and so were my parents and grandparents. I am Mexican American. We were not on foodstamps, Medicaid nor WIC or free housing. I used to think like some of you UNTIL, I realized that this was racism against my own race. However, I researched somethings and found out: only American citizens are eligible for foodstamps and Medicaid, and WIC. So the poor Americans are those receiving these resources, not illegal aliens. Secondly, immigrants who are here illegally are here because there are fortune 500, 200 companies and others who hire them. Why do these companies hire them if they are illegal because they want to make MORE money (GREED)!!! WHY are these billionaires not being put in jail for working these people to the bone. The illegal immigrant is the slave of today, 2008. These people work for less than minimum wage, they work monday thru Saturday most work Sunday too from 6am to 7pm and they make roughly 600 to 700 every two weeks!! Do the math, and find out how much they earn. Their working conditions are inhumane, they are treated poorly, they risk their lives by using tools that are risky, and they are driven like mules. They work hard and long and the boss pays them peanuts. You blame them, yet you do not see and will not accept that the blame lies in the Big Business owner, who wants to make a bigger margin of profit, by using and abusing poor, people who are even afraid of defending themselves. Yes they and many poor Americans use our resources (Medicaid, Food Stamps, WIC) but this is something that our government has allowed to continue. How long would 600/every two weeks last you if you sent 400 back home abroad? Ask yourself if we owe them these freebies (they met the criteria set forth by the HHSC, etc). I certainly enjoy getting a product/resource at a cheaper price, and you do too. Their hard work has helped our economy keep prices down for our products and resources. We are using them, do you not see this???? By the way, did the WIC, or Medicaid or ??? money come out of your personal check…NO!!! The government allows it because it is run by Big Business and they want to continue making those hefty profits by abusing and maintaining Latino Slavery. Yes most are Latinos. Most of these people work hard, very hard. If you worked hard labor daily M-Sun from 6am to 7pm would you have time to go to school to learn English? And would you want to…NO!!! Most of these people live 8 to a two bedroom apt and they are working to help their respective families abroad. They have come to the USA because they know that the businesses will hire them and they are willing to sell themselves as slaves to help their families and to survive. So why do you not understand this.
In reality, we created the problem because we want to buy the products they provide for us. Whose building our homes, our highways, gardening our yards, cleaning our homes, cooking at restaurants, picking our produce, etc. Did you not see on National news all the Latinos cleaning the filth in New Orleans after the storm??? This is Brown Slavery…. do you not see it!!!
These people did cross our borders illegally and they know it and so do we. They came because they need to make money to feed their families and to stay alive. We allow it because we want cheaper housing, cleaning for cheap prices, etc. I have known about the immigrants being here illegally for quite some time and so have you. So why did we not report them and send them home because it was to our benefit to get cheaper prices. There is a demand by Americans for their services and they supply it, even though the cost the immigrant pays is outrageously high.
They cannot go and visit their family, they cross the border at high risk at losing their lives, they are afraid to contact the police if they are vandalized, abused or not paid for their work. They do not get overtime pay, no medical, no paid vacation or sick leave. They are treated very badly by most Americans and overworked.
We do not boycott the source of this ‘problem’, go native, and refuse to purchase anything made by undocumented labor because we need them. They are ingrained in our economy and society.
These immigrants are here to stay. so lets think of what to do to make it right for us and for them. Let’s allow them to have a work visa and come and go to their respective countries. Let’s give them a valid social security number so that they will be able to help us in paying taxes. Let’s work in harmony to create a better America. I love my country and I know Americans need to change their viewpoints on this issue. The problem is Big Business and it continues to want to set up sweat shops to make big profits. Only you can stop this discrimination and abuse. Only you can refuse to see the truth or continue to blame the innocent in heart. Yes, we can charge the “illegal” immigrants a fine for coming here illegally but remember it was Big Business’ greed and our insatiable quest for MORE that keeps these innocentes coming back. They come here for a humble reason to live and sustain their families.
First, everyone takes advantage of the system even WHITE people. Sandy you talk about hardworking people, who do you think is outside in the 100 degree heat building those houses or fixing the roads. YES…it’s Mexicans!! You mention how you work in a school, I seriously think you should look into another profession teachers should not be bias towards anyone. How do you know what kind of support these children are getting at home? They’re parents are sending them to school, obviously they want them to have an education. Otherwise, I think they’d just leave them at home. You can walk through Wal-Mart and see children of every color misbehave, it’s not just “Mexican” children that misbehave. To not call yourself RACIST, when your clearly only seeing color is ridiculous. Enjoy the culture and the fact that we are a diverse city! Tell me you don’t like Mexican food…..come on….and if you say you don’t you’re probably lying.
Cry me a furking river Chelsea. Standing against illegal immigrants is not racist! I have a full blooded Mexican adopted brother that I grew up with. He was flown straight from Mexico when he was a couple of hours old and became a Citizen of the United States. He has a phd in econimics and is one of the greatest people I know. So race has nothing to do with it. I have a problem with people that are living among us illegally. Hince the word “illegally”! This means that it against the law for them to be here. They are living under the radar, like a criminals.I have a problem with criminals. You asking for people to fell sorry for them is like asking people to fell sorry for all the criminals that are sitting in prison and the conditions that they have to live in!
It’s not might fault the majority of these people are from Mexico.
A few years ago when I was a “poor” single mom of one working two jobs, but I still could not keep food in my cabinets.I went to the welfare office for help and had two wait three hours in a long line of mexican women who did not speak a word of english. I watched them come out one by one, smiling with their train of children, holding thier food stamps and medicaid card. You know what I was told? I was told I didn’t qualify becuase I had a fulltime job an didnt fall within the guidelines to get help. I have heard many other “white people” sharing the same experiences. So tell me where are all the “white people” getting the help? The benefits are not going to white people. Say what you want, but Illegals are reaping all the benefits and that all of the “poor white people” are paying for.
I saw a mexican women buying over two hundred dollars in grocerys the other day with food stamps. The women could not speak a word of english. When I went to my car I noticed her loading up all of those groceries in her brand new 2008 Tahoe. Um Yeah… they have it so bad……As a requirement to obtain citizenship in the united states, don’t you have to be able to speak, write, and understand english, hmmmm, I wonder how she qualfied for those food stamps?????.
Yes, the taxes that are paid from my paycheck does support wic, food stamps, and medicaid.
Where in the hell do you think that money goes? To social security? Go educate yourself.
So, I don’t feel bad about their working conditions. US citizens have rights and do not get treated in such ways becasaue they are protected against laws created for american citizens. No one invited these people to come over here. .I don’t care if they are trying to better themselves, we have own our problems. If they want to be protected and treated fairly under these same laws they should do what it takes to become a lawful citizen of the united states, pay taxes and become equal with the rest of the everyday US citizens out there. If they don’t like it , they can take their asses back home. No one is holding a gun to these men to get out thier and work like “slaves”.
Americans have no problem building their own houses and businesses.
So, I am married now,have another child and one on the way….Just trying to live the American dream… I went to go register my son for Pre-K the other day at my daughters school. I found out my child is not allowed to attend because he’s primary language is english. We could have qualified if we met the low income level. But they said we made twenty dollars a month to much. I cant afford to put him in a private Pre- K. So, my son gets to miss pre-k. Did I mention is realy important for him to go because he has a generalized seizure disorder that is effecting his learning? He is deprived of a education because of the government having to cater to all the mexicans that have come over here illegally, had a bunch of children on unlce sams dime and refused to teach or learn the english language.How do you justify this? Tell me Chelsa, why should I feel bad for the illegal immigrants again? You need to go back to Mexico with them if you can’t stand up for American Citizens and Shame on the government for creating little mexico on every corner.