Before moving to Atlanta, I lived in El Paso, Texas

I lived there for six months, on the west side.

Travelling along I-10 (talk about fucking traffic jams!!), it was a common sight to see illegals running across the interstate, as the interstate ran adjacent to the "fence" that lined the border.

It was routine for one of them to be hit by oncoming traffic.

Yes, there does need to be something done about the borders.

But what of the people who hire illegals in the first place?

It was very hard to find a job in El Paso, as most businesses required one to be bilingual. And how many Americans spoke BOTH Spanish and English?

I've always looked at that requirement as a way to exclude Americans, paving the way to hire Latinos at a reduced salary.

Again, it goes back to the companies who thrive on hiring illegals.

lot to alleviate the problem. of course, THAT is going to happen, isn't it?

It's a tossup.

you find more Mexicans who speak English, than Americans that speak Spanish.

Beyond the border towns, I would be surprised if that was true.

Unfortunately, I'm not. I live in TX and would never move to El Paso unless I spoke Spanish....or Brownsville...or Laredo. You want a job there you have to speak the languages. The Latinos are your base, your customers, of course you have to be bilingual. I don't think it has to do with driving down wages. But at the same time, I wouldn't put it past them (employers).

interesting. i am the minority. it is a totally different feel, and you know,.... surprisingly comfotable and a ok feel being in the minority. yes,.... to what you say, running across borders ect.... they have all kinds of issue. the mexican population also run the local govt which is fun. they have problems, there are issues with immigration, not into the subject, just wanted to say i know el paso too

downtown Juarez.

All of the storefront signs are in Spanish.

and the US works to encourage/require that Mexico share it's wealth with more than a few rich Spanish, immigrant families.

:hi:

bilingual, or monolingual, customers in any number, it *pays* to speak their language. It's good business.

to keep wages down, exempt business from accountability, avoid taxes and lie. Remember those people who said we need to run government like a business. They are in power.

I agree with you that businesses take advantage of undocumented employees, as well as the part time college students, and retired seniors, to keep overall wages and benefits down.

My point was that bilingual employees are good for business - i.e. they provide a better service for the public.

Our county employees (CA county) get a wage differential if they are bilingual for that reason.

(ed for grammar)

It kinda freaked us out when kids ran right in front of our car on the highway!