Before anyone is quick to scream 'racist!!', please read entire post.
I'm retiring (70y/o) in less than two weeks. My wife and I were raised and have lived in Houston, Texas, our entire lives.
In addition to our home, we own several properties. We own the houses we inherited from each of our parents. We own three houses we bought (and paid for) over 35 years. We rent these five homes.
People that are quick to attack anyone that dares mention the word 'illegal' should be required to experience a reality in Houston, Texas.
All five of our properties are rented. Over time, we discovered ONE individual was 'renting' multiple properties on the street and w/in a subdivision. Monthly rent was paid, so landlords had no reason to question anything.
My family home? This is an absolute truth. Around the clock, someone is 'watching' for law enforcement. If they spot LE? They sound an alarm. Why? B/c of chickens, goats and all sorts of animals that are not allowed, pursuant to city ordinances, plague the neighborhood.
I thought this notion was preposterous and refused to give it any credence. As the owner of the home, though, I installed cameras that captured live feed.
This street and cluster of streets and NOW the entire neighborhood have become something quite unique and amazing. It's almost as if this 'neighborhood' has been transported from any border town b/n Texas and Mexico.
I mentioned my family home, but the very same has happened with my wife's family home and our first three homes. I'm grateful I'm not commenting about an infestation of ruthless gangs, only I've witnessed, first-hand, how former neighborhoods have been transformed into the typical neighborhood, across the border.
What's the problem? We had an additional home that was forfeited after surveillance proved it was used for a 'coyote' to drop off illegals from Mexico.
How do they generate income? Houston is infested with a complicated problem. "Burrito/Taco" stands are mobile. Typically, they park near a construction site, but it's not uncommon to see them parked and operating the the lot of a grocery store.
Working on a house project? There's a cluster of hard working and eager men on the corner of EVERY Home Depot.
Don't misunderstand. Personally? My thoughts relate to personal experience. Over four decades, I've been involved in medical and pharmacy care for women (on medicaid), collecting food stamps and medicaid benefits, that birth a half dozen more children that ensure the process is repeated. So much so that 'entitlement' has become an expectation, and not a benefit.
So why should we be so cruel towards a person that merely wants a shot at a better life, in America? A mother, father......and children? We have mothers sprouting 'bastard' children so quickly that medicaid has had to double their workforce to accommodate.
They have NEVER, nor is is likely they will EVER pay tax. They exist in Texas as American citizens, born into this privilege.
My personal views on residency and citizenship differ from most. I'd rather a hard working-tax paying illegal be allowed to earn his citizenship, versus a third or fourth generation "entitlement" US citizen that has done NOTHING other than being born in America, to add to the ranks of the USA.
Don't miss-interpret my words. I have compassion for everyone. I merely intended to illustrate a point. Most people say, "if you're born in America, you're American"! But that's founded on an assumption that your parents AND their parents have been tax paying citizens that have contributed towards America's greatness.
How does a desperate immigrant that will die, working as hard as he/she possibly can, to give himself/herself and/or especially......their children a better life, differ from a newborn infant fortunate enough to be birthed in the USA? Assuming all the above, does this HARD WORKING IMMIGRANT cost America more or less than generation after generation of those who believe government benefits are ENTITLEMENTS???? Keep in mind, this means these folks pay zero in taxes, yet enjoy all the privileges of American citizens.
Back to the article? We have a SERIOUS problem b/c there are SO many illegals in Houston. Even if they have the funds, they cannot purchase car insurance. When there's an accident, most flee (as I would do!).
Ultimately, the points of my reply boil down to a consideration you can only appreciate if you live in Texas.
It's quite convenient to 'read about' illegal aliens and the potential consequences if they are not identified, when you live in a state that's untouched by 'illegals'. I believe Texas and California are on the same page.
My words did no justice to the real spectacle I beheld. We have entire subdivisions that are converted to replicas of towns, just south of the border. Retail business pop up, b/n houses. Flea markets at the end of the street. The entire subdivision is like a gang---nobody talks or betrays.
Again, personally, I admire ANYONE pursuing a better life, and hope their pursuit is w/in reach. It costs a great deal of money to pursue residency. Factor in a wife and children, that cost is prohibitive.
But America is infested with folks that contribute nothing, yet take as much as the government will allow.....only to instill this value on the children being raised.
ACLU? Texas is not about to harm a legal US resident/citizen, or even make such an attempt. This article was written with an alternative agenda.
Adios!