Immigration: Taxation without representation

I keep hearing about these illegal immigrants who work for next to nothing, use our services, and don't pay taxes. But what about those who do pay taxes? I'm not talking just about sales tax, though they pay that daily, too. I'm talking about the billions of dollars that illegal immigrants have paid into social security--but can't collect? What about the many illegal immigrants who actually file income taxes, because they are grateful for the opportunities that they have here? People who pay taxes voluntarily out of gratitude or maybe just hope in a dream of one day living in this country out from under the dark weight of that label "illegal". Sound like hardened felons to you?

Today at school I was talking to some of my students about this immigration debate-- my students, who through the decisions of adults in their lives, are illegal immigrants. Many of their parents are contributing to social security. Some just finished or are getting ready to file their income taxes this year. Of course, not all the families of the "illegals" I teach (I prefer the term "students") are paying income taxes. I don't leave in a dream world. But why don't they pay?Are they all just greedy or dishonest? No, though I am sure that some probably are--probably in a percentage about equal to that of greedy, dishonest U.S. citizens. Some are extremely poor. Some are paid "under the table" and don't know how to go about getting a tax I.D. number. Some may not know they can. Some are afraid that they will be deported, that their children ripped out of schools and returned to a "homeland" they barely remember.

Did any of these people ranting about the drain these "illegals" have on our economy ever sit down at a table with these hardworking people and ask them if they wanted to pay their fair share or even if they've already started?

God bless Sen. McCain and Sen. Kennedy for standing up for those immigrants who are here working hard, providing for their families--and in many cases for ours--without official representation. We who vote need to stand up and represent for them!