Apparently only Google, a few other lucrative tech companies and developers pushing high-priced rental apartments belong in Mountain View and are supported by the City Council... nothing else matters. RVs, DACA and the poor don't stand a chance.

In my opinion, this would have been an excellent opportunity to teach the children about the separation of powers and why it is Unconstitutional for the President to make his or her own laws. It would also have been a great opportunity to discuss the responsibilities of Congress, and whether or not the United States should be the only country in the world without a secure border (why/why not?). And lastly, it would have been good to talk to the children about the negative impacts of illegal immigration and ask them why a system that leads to exploitation and human trafficking for millions of people has not been fixed in the last 40 years to make legal migration and guaranteeing a much more secure border, easier.

If people truly want to support those designated as DACA, then in my opinion, they should be looking for a permanent solution to ensure that entering legally is less problematic than illegally crossing the border; and that those who legally enter for work are paid market wages.


Jim Neal
Old Mountain View

It sounds to me like what these students have learned about is empathy, and for that I commend their teachers.

I think these walks shows that the teachers are providing the right education for these students. I have no idea of we are the only country with open borders, but frankly we are one of the biggest Islands in the world so I highly doubt that. I prefer the children to learn that people are our biggest assets, and we should focus on how we can embrace more and support more and prevent exploitation by being more welcoming not less.

I sympathize these DACA kids, however, their parents should take some responsibility,since they are the ones who drag their own kids into this situation. Now all the cost to solve the problems will be covered by tax money, as taxpayer, I feel compelled to protest too.

Seeing these students embracing and accepting makes me proud of my city. Sophie the DACA students/workers are here already. A comprehensive reform is needed. Yes, they were brought here under no knowledge of what was happening. Did you know that the ones working already can't claim unemployment? They can't get social security benefits? No federal benefits either. They don't get a free ride, they have to work for what they have. And I applaud those that are doing it, because for every renovation period before it was rescinded they had to go through the whole process again, get their finger prints at the USCIS office, pay a fee of almost $500 dollars, and file an application. No criminal record needed to be kept, in order to keep reapplying every 2 years. I really hope a solution comes for the dreamers and they can stay where they know, their home, here in the United States of America.

No country in the world has open borders, and that was my point; that we should not either. Also, the United States is not an island. You are right that people are our biggest asset; so that being the case, why should people be brought here illegally to be exploited or subjected to human trafficking?

For some reason, some people think that if a country wants to have secure borders, it is not a welcoming country. When I traveled to Mexico, Canada, Germany, Italy and Switzerland, I had to pass though their border security before they would let me enter the country, but that didn't mean that I was unwelcome there. Being welcoming does absolutely NOTHING to prevent exploitation. I wish that were true. Having secure borders and fixing the immigration system are two easy ways to prevent exploitation and human trafficking.

Learning empathy is good, but learning about the history and the government of the country that you (Universal You) are living in is better (at least if you intend to live there the rest of your life). Otherwise you put yourself and possibly your family at a tremendous disadvantage. Think of it like this; if you don't know the rules or how the game is played, how are you going to participate effectively? How will you know when someone is taking advantage of you? Empathy is only the most basic starting point.


Jim Neal
Old Mountain View

Does the sign state the whole message? Or does at least the teacher who staged the march have a more comprehensive position on immigration? Maybe the students should be interviewed next time. Ask the next student marchers what immigration laws they would propose. Perhaps they will be enrolled in kindergarten at Bubb.