Agreed Diane. I would much rather have an uncomfortable moment with the officers checking our papers and such than an uncomfortable moment with some hopped up guy with a knife.

Great...solveth the crime problem, then the illegal stray dog issue.

Simon and Beth, while I agree that these jobs should go to people legally in the country, "the average Belizean working class citizens" (and the employers) I've had conversations with on the subject have said Belizeans don't want the jobs because they don't pay enough. A couple of years ago I was taken to a construction site and shown the living conditions of several workers (I was told primarily from Equador(?) and Guatemala) - pieces of leftover lumber haphazardly thrown together with no toilet facilities anywhere in sight. I wouldn't blame anyone for not wanting to work under those conditions. It is the same with many agricultural jobs (and other service jobs I suspect) in the US. It is nothing more than supply & demand. Immigrants come because there is a demand for cheap labor and they are willing to work cheaply. If willing Belizeans (or Americans) were available to take those jobs wouldn't they go there first? The simple fact is undocumented immigrants are willing to work cheaply and they don’t demand benefits. That ensures housing in Belize costs less, Americans have readily available cheap gardening services and continue to pay a lot less at the grocery store than they would otherwise have to.

I am not proposing at all that the solution is to permit the undocumented to come and go as they please. I agree that there are many serious problems that come with that, although I question the school of thought which places blame for all of any society's ills on undocumented workers. My point was simply that if any country plans to eliminate the undocumented, its citizens better understand the very real ramifactions. And legislation alone is not going to change the current situation. It will take major changes on the part of employers and ultimately consumers. Beth, you say most are willing to pay more to ensure legal commerce. How much more? US history has demonstrated otherwise. Americans have been and continue to be willing to outsource and hire illegally to maintain access to cheap food, shelter and clothing. Do you honestly see that changing?

Um, actually I was quoting, and agreeing with, you...

Leah Ann it doesn't appear that you have a firm grasp on this situation as it exists in Belize, or even here stateside for that matter. To each his own opinion, however your arguments have become circuitous.

I am very happy that the AC/SP community and politicians and police have pulled together to deal with the issues. All of the citizens and residents I know living there are relieved about the efforts being made to account for illegals and hopefully the crime will decrease. I support their efforts completely.

I can't think of any reason to post such a comment other than in an attempt to embarass, insult or hurt, so no response from me is required.

Agreed, your response was not required. Your assessment is hypocritical however, as you have many times asserted that others on the board don't know anything about the subject matter they may be opining upon. So, its just my opinion - take it or leave it, no need to be a crybaby about it.

Call me naive, but I can't help but wonder what is actually wrong with adhearing to the law, whatever country you may be in?

If you don't like the law, vote in someone who will enact new laws if you are a legal voter there, or return to your own country if you don't like the laws of the one you are visiting: or you could always take the current favorite shortcut and have new laws Legislated direct from the bench?

It just saves so much time, especially if you know whats right for the country, and just don't have the time to seek approval from the "little people?"

And to answer a question raided earlier in this thread: If lettuce were to cost $4 and a tomato $3 but the counterbalance was no funding of schools or free emergency medical care for those here illegally that has to be amortized amongst the paying consumers, perhaps I would be able to afford medical insurance for myself at that oh so inconvenient stage of my life in between retirement and Medicare!

If I ever need a Heart Transplant, my choice is between bankruptcy or walking into my local bank, placing my Sig on the counter, and relying on Prisoners Welfare advocates to ensure I get the treatment!

I agree 100% Nothing but good can come out of their efforts. These actions are long overdue.

It's nice to know that we have a poster here who is able to determine whose response is required or not. Sure takes the pressure off!! Must be a burden tho, having that much intellect . . .