NumbersUSA: Working at 83 years old...“I nearly had a stroke when I heard his comments”
Feb 28, 2019 19:38:59 #
"I nearly had a stroke when I heard his comments"
More members react to Pres. Trump's call for record-high levels of immigration
Some say we should be harder on the president; some say we need to cut him more slack.
Our goal is an immigration system that works for the American people.
A key part of that is reducing today's very high legal immigration numbers back to more traditional levels.
Help us keep fighting for America
I hope by now you've heard about our member poll which showed that 95% of you want deep cuts in LEGAL immigration. (Of course all of our members want to eliminate i*****l i*********n.)
Since President Trump's e******n, however, some of our donors have presumed that we don't need to worry anymore about amnesties or increased immigration.
The President's recent comments show how urgently we must be prepared for a fight.
A few members wrote me this week, expressing concern that we shouldn't criticize an ally.
On the other hand, others felt we were being too soft.
We don't think in terms of allies and enemies; we think in terms of good and bad proposals.
We'll start with Arleen's comment:
"Don't kid yourself for one minute that Trump wants people to come into this country 'legally.'
It is very hard to come into this country legally and he knows that.
So, don't worry yourself that legals will be flocking here!! . . . I agree with him that legally is better than illegally, but we (myself and Trump) don't want either!!!!!!! NOT TO WORRY!!"
-- Arleen
With the current news so heavily focused on i*****l i*********n, it is easy to take your eyes off of legal immigration. Arleen, you are correct that immigrating to the U.S. LEGALLY is a challenge and has many steps. Yet more than a million people each year go through that process and do come.
3.8 Million would-be immigrants are on the official waiting list to come here.
Millions MORE would come every year legally if we allowed it.
In fact, Gallup's World Poll found in December that 158 million people around the world want to emigrate to the United States. Many in Congress are ready to push immigration numbers way up right now.
If some of our own members think we don't need to worry about legal immigration, imagine the fight we're going to have in Congress. Remember, Pres. Trump can't pass legislation; at most, he tells Congress what he wants and accepts or rejects what they pass. And if the President is already signaling he WANTS more immigration, that's a dangerous sign for these negotiations.
We need your help today.
We can't wait for the showdown in Congress to arm ourselves.
The fight is coming, and we must be prepared.
Help us keep fighting for America
Here's a letter that reminds us a little bit of what's at stake:
"I have a nephew who when the day he turned 21, he and some friends went to buy some pot at a park . . .
"He was not involved with a violent crime . . . but he has a felony h*****g over his head. He does a lot of yard work but for little pay because so many i******s are available . . . He is too proud to take disability. So, he lives with his mom. What a waste!
"There are so many citizens who just need a chance in the work world. Many are living on the streets and are homeless. Let's give our deserving citizens a chance."
-- Shirley O.
Good point, Shirley.
There are millions of nonviolent ex-felons in America desperate for a second chance.
As long as our system brings in a million more legal immigrants each year, businesses have no incentive to give these folks a chance.
Do we want millions more workers competing for jobs, or do we want to help the workers we have get jobs, develop sk**ls and join the middle class?
"Jim, I nearly had a stroke when I heard his remarks. Why not mention other people besides citizens, who have a right to live here on a permanent basis with work permits and are suffering also?"
-- Shakil H.
True, Shakil. I try to remind people that the latest group of immigrants don't just compete with American-born workers. They also compete with each other.
"Come to Texas and find out how hard it is to find a job that doesn't require the ability to speak Spanish and, in many cases, you need to be able to read and write it. I know people with experience in public relations and marketing but can't get anything worthwhile because of the lack of Spanish."
-- Trish E.
Trish, thanks. I grew up in Texas.
Immigration there has exploded in the years since I left.
But Trish, as an unemployed person, please don't give up at this time.
Our other members will step in for you to keep NumbersUSA fighting for you.
"Jim, I was really shocked when Trump kept asking for more legal immigration at the SOTU address and at other press conferences.
"I have two college degrees and have been out of work over a year.
Increasing any type of immigration is competition for me and I would like a total moratorium on immigration.
"I am worried that they are sneaking amnesty through or attaching it on to other bills, you know, dirty tricks being played."
-- Thomas K.
Don't you agree that Thomas has a GREAT POINT?
Every single new person of working age who arrives here is one more person to compete with Thomas and with people in his same situation.
Republicans in Congress certainly have let some bad language slip into bills on their watch. I'm afraid that with this new Congress, there could be a contest for who can add the most audaciously bad measures.
"We don't need i*****l i*********n. That is sure.
But I really think that there is a misunderstanding.
Trump said that IF -- IF -- it were necessary, it would be legal immigration.
"Also to clarify, the only legal immigrants that will be able to be given visas or green cards, are the ones in specifics industry, like doctors, engineers or scientific researchers need it in certain very specific areas.
"Please don't say things that are not correct, please."
-- Rebeca K.
Rebeca, Pres. Trump actually DID say he wanted record numbers of legal immigration.
A few days later he said businesses needed workers, so bring them.
In general, he favors more sk**ls-based immigration, but what he's talking about is NOT limited to just certain professions.
Big Business wants more immigrants of every description.
Also, and perhaps most importantly, just because someone comes legally does NOT mean we really need them.
We have tens of millions of working-age who are not in the workforce.
"I had cancer twice and lost my job as a nurse and the bank took my house that I had lived in 34 years and refinanced to pay medical bills.
The banks would not work with us.
It was so heart-breaking.
I pray for our president because that's what we need to do instead of bash him."
-- Augusta P.
We certainly don't mean to bash, Augusta. As we do for all our elected leaders, we focus on Pres. Trump's actions and words and how that measures up to our goals to reduce immigration numbers. Mostly, he's received good words from us during his term because of the many reforms he's put through to curb i*****l i*********n. When I hear sad stories like yours, where your house is taken by the bank, my reaction is to help Americans like you keep your jobs. We don't want people like you to suffer this way.
Dorian, on the other hand wrote in, saying I wasn't hard ENOUGH on the President. Read his unique perspective:
"My name is Dorian. I am a Harlem, NYC native. . . . Howard University grad (1999) . . . NYC teacher of approx. 12 years (public, private and charter schools) . . . former Trump Tower volunteer (for the 2016 campaign).
"I've been a member and participant with NumbersUSA, since the 'Gang of Eight' fiasco, of 2013. I've also donated to your organization, shortly before submitting this email. However, I must express my deep anger and disappointment----not simply due to President Trump's blatant lies and betrayal.
"I'm disappointed because organizations like NumbersUSA (which I considered beacons of t***h) are treating . . . Trump with kid gloves.
Most Black and native Hispanics can't get good construction or service jobs in NYC.
I******s have consumed most of the industry.
My point is: WE ARE AT WAR.
We have no time to cajole or cater to these elites, anymore.
Not even Trump, himself.
"A disillusioned American,"
-- Dorian M.
Dorian uses overly harsh language about the President, I think, but he has a point.
He reminds us that racial minorities, most especially the descendents of s***es, have been pushed aside time after time by immigrants.
The first African s***es were brought to the English colony at Jamestown, Virginia 400 years ago, in 1619. Many African-Americans are still waiting for a chance for a good job that only a tight labor market will bring.
"Jim, I am in the IT industry. This industry has been dominated in the last 20 years by people from India and China, taking jobs away from American citizens and pushing rates down.
When there is an Indian manager, for example, they only hire Indians.
I have seen this first hand over and over again in many companies.
"[This] leaves me very concerned for my children and grandchildren and the kind of world that they'll be living in. The world is getting crazier by the minute!"
-- Karen K.
The world doesn't have to get crazier by the minute.
We who can do something about it must. We need your support TODAY!
Our member Ann wrote in with a great question concerning legal immigration.
"Has anyone seen how many Doctors are permitted visas from other countries?
All while our medical schools are not permitting any more graduates due to barriers to entry -- tuition, MCAT scores on and on and on -- but visas are given freely to medical school graduates from other countries? Insanity in my book."
-- Ann
The answer is jaw-dropping.
29% of our medical doctors are now foreign born, and 23% have graduated from foreign universities.
Last time I checked, being a doctor is a job Americans definitely WILL do, if we just give young people a chance to compete. Right?
Of course, not everyone can be doctors.
We need to remember that until recently, wages for less sk**led Americans have not risen in 40 years!!!! Excess immigration is one major cause.
Someone coming legally does not change the fact that every new person competes with someone already here. Not all of our members see eye-to-eye with our position on legal immigration, though:
"I received a letter from you today in my email of people moaning about immigration. President Trump is doing an excellent job and he's trying to compromise with democrats to make things work.
"We want legal immigration, not i*****l i*********n. I am for President Trump's immigration policies. It's not America's fault that people don't plan ahead or live outside their means.
"Stop being whiny and improve your own lives."
-- Brittany
No, we won't write off the millions of Americans who are working as hard as they can but still can't get ahead. After all, we're aware of what some Americans face just to survive:
"We are not money hungry nor care to be millionaires. We need to have income to pay rent, water, gas and electricity, food, and gas for car to get food and job. This is our way, the American way.
"I'm 83, still working grocery store so I can eat, and pay rent.
One son has not been able to find work since he is in more remote area with nothing available except bad business for losers and prostitutes and i******s.
"Only by the grace of God can I pay my survival bills and his too. Americans should be offered jobs first. This is our country."
-- Theresa B.
Theresa, I am so sorry you can't afford to retire even at age 83.
I understand your frustration. America's immigration system should be designed to make your life EASIER, NOT HARDER!
NumbersUSA exists to build an immigration system that makes sense for Americans and legal residents already here.
Do we want to accept an America in which 83 year-olds have to work till the day they die because the great wealth of America has not filtered down to them?
Shouldn't all hardworking people have a chance to live their lives in dignity?
"I send the White House a short email nearly every day in addition to all the NumbersUSA faxes. They are short and very pithy. I use information from NumbersUSA and combine that with news of the day, e,g, remarks on increased legal immigration. I know it's just a checkmark, but it's a checkmark in the correct column. It's very easy to send an email directly to the White House and I encourage that."
-- D. Rogers
Mr. Rogers says it well.
NumbersUSA empowers millions of Americans like you to have your voices directly heard in Washington.
Please help us FIGHT to defend the American people.
Keep the faith and don't ever give up!
Jim Robb
VP Operations
https://www.numbersusa.com/
P. S. Want to send me your feedback? I'm glad to hear from you at jimrobb@numbersusa.com.
More members react to Pres. Trump's call for record-high levels of immigration
Some say we should be harder on the president; some say we need to cut him more slack.
Our goal is an immigration system that works for the American people.
A key part of that is reducing today's very high legal immigration numbers back to more traditional levels.
Help us keep fighting for America
I hope by now you've heard about our member poll which showed that 95% of you want deep cuts in LEGAL immigration. (Of course all of our members want to eliminate i*****l i*********n.)
Since President Trump's e******n, however, some of our donors have presumed that we don't need to worry anymore about amnesties or increased immigration.
The President's recent comments show how urgently we must be prepared for a fight.
A few members wrote me this week, expressing concern that we shouldn't criticize an ally.
On the other hand, others felt we were being too soft.
We don't think in terms of allies and enemies; we think in terms of good and bad proposals.
We'll start with Arleen's comment:
"Don't kid yourself for one minute that Trump wants people to come into this country 'legally.'
It is very hard to come into this country legally and he knows that.
So, don't worry yourself that legals will be flocking here!! . . . I agree with him that legally is better than illegally, but we (myself and Trump) don't want either!!!!!!! NOT TO WORRY!!"
-- Arleen
With the current news so heavily focused on i*****l i*********n, it is easy to take your eyes off of legal immigration. Arleen, you are correct that immigrating to the U.S. LEGALLY is a challenge and has many steps. Yet more than a million people each year go through that process and do come.
3.8 Million would-be immigrants are on the official waiting list to come here.
Millions MORE would come every year legally if we allowed it.
In fact, Gallup's World Poll found in December that 158 million people around the world want to emigrate to the United States. Many in Congress are ready to push immigration numbers way up right now.
If some of our own members think we don't need to worry about legal immigration, imagine the fight we're going to have in Congress. Remember, Pres. Trump can't pass legislation; at most, he tells Congress what he wants and accepts or rejects what they pass. And if the President is already signaling he WANTS more immigration, that's a dangerous sign for these negotiations.
We need your help today.
We can't wait for the showdown in Congress to arm ourselves.
The fight is coming, and we must be prepared.
Help us keep fighting for America
Here's a letter that reminds us a little bit of what's at stake:
"I have a nephew who when the day he turned 21, he and some friends went to buy some pot at a park . . .
"He was not involved with a violent crime . . . but he has a felony h*****g over his head. He does a lot of yard work but for little pay because so many i******s are available . . . He is too proud to take disability. So, he lives with his mom. What a waste!
"There are so many citizens who just need a chance in the work world. Many are living on the streets and are homeless. Let's give our deserving citizens a chance."
-- Shirley O.
Good point, Shirley.
There are millions of nonviolent ex-felons in America desperate for a second chance.
As long as our system brings in a million more legal immigrants each year, businesses have no incentive to give these folks a chance.
Do we want millions more workers competing for jobs, or do we want to help the workers we have get jobs, develop sk**ls and join the middle class?
"Jim, I nearly had a stroke when I heard his remarks. Why not mention other people besides citizens, who have a right to live here on a permanent basis with work permits and are suffering also?"
-- Shakil H.
True, Shakil. I try to remind people that the latest group of immigrants don't just compete with American-born workers. They also compete with each other.
"Come to Texas and find out how hard it is to find a job that doesn't require the ability to speak Spanish and, in many cases, you need to be able to read and write it. I know people with experience in public relations and marketing but can't get anything worthwhile because of the lack of Spanish."
-- Trish E.
Trish, thanks. I grew up in Texas.
Immigration there has exploded in the years since I left.
But Trish, as an unemployed person, please don't give up at this time.
Our other members will step in for you to keep NumbersUSA fighting for you.
"Jim, I was really shocked when Trump kept asking for more legal immigration at the SOTU address and at other press conferences.
"I have two college degrees and have been out of work over a year.
Increasing any type of immigration is competition for me and I would like a total moratorium on immigration.
"I am worried that they are sneaking amnesty through or attaching it on to other bills, you know, dirty tricks being played."
-- Thomas K.
Don't you agree that Thomas has a GREAT POINT?
Every single new person of working age who arrives here is one more person to compete with Thomas and with people in his same situation.
Republicans in Congress certainly have let some bad language slip into bills on their watch. I'm afraid that with this new Congress, there could be a contest for who can add the most audaciously bad measures.
"We don't need i*****l i*********n. That is sure.
But I really think that there is a misunderstanding.
Trump said that IF -- IF -- it were necessary, it would be legal immigration.
"Also to clarify, the only legal immigrants that will be able to be given visas or green cards, are the ones in specifics industry, like doctors, engineers or scientific researchers need it in certain very specific areas.
"Please don't say things that are not correct, please."
-- Rebeca K.
Rebeca, Pres. Trump actually DID say he wanted record numbers of legal immigration.
A few days later he said businesses needed workers, so bring them.
In general, he favors more sk**ls-based immigration, but what he's talking about is NOT limited to just certain professions.
Big Business wants more immigrants of every description.
Also, and perhaps most importantly, just because someone comes legally does NOT mean we really need them.
We have tens of millions of working-age who are not in the workforce.
"I had cancer twice and lost my job as a nurse and the bank took my house that I had lived in 34 years and refinanced to pay medical bills.
The banks would not work with us.
It was so heart-breaking.
I pray for our president because that's what we need to do instead of bash him."
-- Augusta P.
We certainly don't mean to bash, Augusta. As we do for all our elected leaders, we focus on Pres. Trump's actions and words and how that measures up to our goals to reduce immigration numbers. Mostly, he's received good words from us during his term because of the many reforms he's put through to curb i*****l i*********n. When I hear sad stories like yours, where your house is taken by the bank, my reaction is to help Americans like you keep your jobs. We don't want people like you to suffer this way.
Dorian, on the other hand wrote in, saying I wasn't hard ENOUGH on the President. Read his unique perspective:
"My name is Dorian. I am a Harlem, NYC native. . . . Howard University grad (1999) . . . NYC teacher of approx. 12 years (public, private and charter schools) . . . former Trump Tower volunteer (for the 2016 campaign).
"I've been a member and participant with NumbersUSA, since the 'Gang of Eight' fiasco, of 2013. I've also donated to your organization, shortly before submitting this email. However, I must express my deep anger and disappointment----not simply due to President Trump's blatant lies and betrayal.
"I'm disappointed because organizations like NumbersUSA (which I considered beacons of t***h) are treating . . . Trump with kid gloves.
Most Black and native Hispanics can't get good construction or service jobs in NYC.
I******s have consumed most of the industry.
My point is: WE ARE AT WAR.
We have no time to cajole or cater to these elites, anymore.
Not even Trump, himself.
"A disillusioned American,"
-- Dorian M.
Dorian uses overly harsh language about the President, I think, but he has a point.
He reminds us that racial minorities, most especially the descendents of s***es, have been pushed aside time after time by immigrants.
The first African s***es were brought to the English colony at Jamestown, Virginia 400 years ago, in 1619. Many African-Americans are still waiting for a chance for a good job that only a tight labor market will bring.
"Jim, I am in the IT industry. This industry has been dominated in the last 20 years by people from India and China, taking jobs away from American citizens and pushing rates down.
When there is an Indian manager, for example, they only hire Indians.
I have seen this first hand over and over again in many companies.
"[This] leaves me very concerned for my children and grandchildren and the kind of world that they'll be living in. The world is getting crazier by the minute!"
-- Karen K.
The world doesn't have to get crazier by the minute.
We who can do something about it must. We need your support TODAY!
Our member Ann wrote in with a great question concerning legal immigration.
"Has anyone seen how many Doctors are permitted visas from other countries?
All while our medical schools are not permitting any more graduates due to barriers to entry -- tuition, MCAT scores on and on and on -- but visas are given freely to medical school graduates from other countries? Insanity in my book."
-- Ann
The answer is jaw-dropping.
29% of our medical doctors are now foreign born, and 23% have graduated from foreign universities.
Last time I checked, being a doctor is a job Americans definitely WILL do, if we just give young people a chance to compete. Right?
Of course, not everyone can be doctors.
We need to remember that until recently, wages for less sk**led Americans have not risen in 40 years!!!! Excess immigration is one major cause.
Someone coming legally does not change the fact that every new person competes with someone already here. Not all of our members see eye-to-eye with our position on legal immigration, though:
"I received a letter from you today in my email of people moaning about immigration. President Trump is doing an excellent job and he's trying to compromise with democrats to make things work.
"We want legal immigration, not i*****l i*********n. I am for President Trump's immigration policies. It's not America's fault that people don't plan ahead or live outside their means.
"Stop being whiny and improve your own lives."
-- Brittany
No, we won't write off the millions of Americans who are working as hard as they can but still can't get ahead. After all, we're aware of what some Americans face just to survive:
"We are not money hungry nor care to be millionaires. We need to have income to pay rent, water, gas and electricity, food, and gas for car to get food and job. This is our way, the American way.
"I'm 83, still working grocery store so I can eat, and pay rent.
One son has not been able to find work since he is in more remote area with nothing available except bad business for losers and prostitutes and i******s.
"Only by the grace of God can I pay my survival bills and his too. Americans should be offered jobs first. This is our country."
-- Theresa B.
Theresa, I am so sorry you can't afford to retire even at age 83.
I understand your frustration. America's immigration system should be designed to make your life EASIER, NOT HARDER!
NumbersUSA exists to build an immigration system that makes sense for Americans and legal residents already here.
Do we want to accept an America in which 83 year-olds have to work till the day they die because the great wealth of America has not filtered down to them?
Shouldn't all hardworking people have a chance to live their lives in dignity?
"I send the White House a short email nearly every day in addition to all the NumbersUSA faxes. They are short and very pithy. I use information from NumbersUSA and combine that with news of the day, e,g, remarks on increased legal immigration. I know it's just a checkmark, but it's a checkmark in the correct column. It's very easy to send an email directly to the White House and I encourage that."
-- D. Rogers
Mr. Rogers says it well.
NumbersUSA empowers millions of Americans like you to have your voices directly heard in Washington.
Please help us FIGHT to defend the American people.
Keep the faith and don't ever give up!
Jim Robb
VP Operations
https://www.numbersusa.com/
P. S. Want to send me your feedback? I'm glad to hear from you at jimrobb@numbersusa.com.
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.