Here are some points that are relevant to some of the posts I've read...
By definition, no one knows how many illegal aliens we have in this country. Some respectable sources say 11 to 12 million, others say 40 million. I suspect the higher number is closer to being accurate.
Most illegals have papers. Many of the arguments here are based on the idea that illegals are not paying taxes, etc. How do you think they get jobs at Wal-Mart, restaurants, etc? The underground I referred to in previous posts easily supplies SS cards, birth certificates, etc. Although since 9/11 they can no longer get Drivers Licenses, almost all of them currently have them.
It's not as simple as filling out a form. INS currently has 'lotteries' in each country for immigration and limits the amount of tourist visas. So it's pot luck whether one can be had ~ assuming the odds aren't stacked against you because of corruption (that never happens - right?
).
I can't remember ever agreeing with memyselfandi... but she was on the right track in an earlier post. If people want to move here and be a productive part of our society, screen them, give them work permits, and let them. This eliminates the need for an underground, encourages the immigrants to learn our language, take pride in our country, and assimilate. No one I know would come here illegally if they could legally. Combine this with tighter laws for illegals (such as some of our friends here are advocating) and you eliminate the need to build a wall.
Bilingual Education and ESL do not work. In Texas, the schools get more money based on the number of students they have in these programs. IMO and in my experience, these programs encourage secularism and slow down the assimilation and English language learning process.
The greatest explosion of inventivness, creativity, and industry in the history of our country came during a period of 'open' immigration. Protectionism and sealing our borders from immigrants only hurts and stifles our country. If we allow the honest desirable element easy access to us, it will be much easier to keep the undesireables out ~ and our society will be better off for it.
Luz
random thoughts...