With all due respect to Mr. Kinsley, he seems to be confusing "love of country" with "love of potential victims." When my great-great grandparents came to this country, they worked their bottoms off to become PART of the country. They loved what the U.S. stood for, and they didn't come in with a feeling that they were entitled to keep speaking their original language or that they could just work "off the books" and send their untaxed wages back home across the sea.

The illegal aliens of today have no love for the U.S. To the contrary, they see us (wrongly) as illegal occupants of their own country, and they're doing their best to exploit us.

Mr. Kinsley suggests that modern-day illegals love the U.S. more than did the legal immigrants of decades past simply because they're willing to risk deportation by coming here.

Right.

I suppose Mr. Kinsley would also suggest that a rapist loves my wife more than I do just because he's willing to risk going to jail for assaulting her.

I think you need to outsource your thinking to someone who's familiar with these issues. My discussion of the linked article at my name's link.

HGTV PRO IS REALLY PUSHING THE ILLEGAL ISSUE FOR ITS CONTRACTORS. WHAT A JOKE THIS ONE IS.

ILLEGALS LOVE THE US MORE.. COME ON, YOU CAN DO BETTER. HECK TO SEE THE TRUTH, JUST ATTEND A USA VS MEXICO SOCCER MATCH AND SEE WHERE THERE LOYALTY LIES. THEY BROKE THE LAWS IN COMING HERE, THEY BROKE THE LAWS IN STAYING HERE AND WHEN YOU DISCUSS THE FINANCIAL IMPACT WELL WHERE DO I START. THE ONLY BENEFICIARIES ARE THE EMPLOYERS WHO HAVE CHEAPER LABOR, PAY FEWER TAXES (SUPPORTS LESS PUBLIC FUNDING OF SCHOOLS, HOSPITALS..TAX PAYERS PICK IT UP FOR THE EMPLOYER.) FEW BENEFITS (BACK TO COUNTY HOSPITALS - TAX PAYERS - PICK UP THE BILL FOR THE EMPLOYER) - SHALL I GO ON, BECAUSE IN TRUTH I HAVE JUST SCRAPPED THE ICEBERG ON THIS ONE.
YES, WE GET CHEAPER PRICES UP FRONT AND PAY FOR IT ON THE BACK END WITH HIGHER TAXES. McKINSEY IS A FREEKING IDIOT IF HE EXPECTS US (NON LIBERALS) TO FOLLOW THIS LINE OF BS. HGTV - I EXPECT BETTER!!!!!!!

what part of illegal do we not understand?
if you are here illegally go home. i don't care where you're from or what color you are. not legal get out!!!
they dont have the right nor should they have the right to any of the benefits that we all pay taxes for. that is to help the people that are here and need help.
we have so many children and familes here legally that we let slip through the cracks of are system. almost 50% of the us children live at or below the poverty line.
we need to help are own legal residents and stop having to battle and pay for the illegal ones.
i am more then happy to welcome new immigrants to this great country, legal ones that is.
tax payers,non criminals. if they brake the law to get here in the first place, whats to stop them from continuing to brake the law as they please.
you need to get a grip and think about what part of illegal immigrant you and so many others dont get!!!

First, our forebears came to this country legally. Many waiting years for the opportunity. They also came in search of an opportunity to better themselves, not to get free healthcare, tuition, food stamps and section 8 rent assistance. You should also refer to illegals as aliens, not immigrants. An immigrant is one who has emigrated (a legal process).

Our entire country is based on immigration, but done legally. But if someone does come into the country illegally, then in plain words that person is a criminal. So we should treat them in that respect and not with our hard earned money that will someday be our retirement. If it is ok for them to be treated to out benefits then why don't we just give our country to the terrorist and say have a nice day.

I think that the question is not a valid one. My great-grandmother did not want to come here from Ireland. She was sent here to be taken care of by an older brother who had made some money here.

When she was finished being processed at Ellis Island (did she have a visa, I wonder), he took her to where he had found her a job as a laundress, and secures a room in a crowded boarding house.

She never saw him or met his family here. It was not a matter of love of country in her case, although she may have eventually.

I am friends with hard-working legal and illegal immigrants who are from Europe, Central and South America, and Africa. I must say that before I become friends with them did I truly know their status, but because like me they were people who were hard working.

One of my closest friends just returned to his country of origin. He sold his business here where he employed 15-20 people legally. His reasons for leaving was he was tired of hearing uneducated people talk about immigrants in a nation in which all of us are. Even Native Americans (Indians) came over the Bering Strait.

If we cannot compete with people who are willing to work for less or people whose nations value Math and Science education more, we should not blame them. We should ask ourselves how to fix these problems as patriotic people we should be.

Illegel aliens have no love for the USA, neither does Pres.Bush for that matter. We don't need a super highway from Mexico to Canada, now do we. It will only let all kinds of terrorists into this once great country. Let the illegals come in the same way our forefathers did and learn the english language like they did. Now we are to cater to the illegals and learn their language. Surely our so called government isn't going to put every language on every ballot. This is an ENGLISH speaking nation, may it stay that way. I for one am tired of answering the phone and being asked do I want to hear Spanish press 1 or do I want to hear English press 2. Come on now politicians get with it, PUT UP THE FENCE "NOW". May "MAY GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS AMERICA"

Mr Kinsley should really lay off the kool-aid. Those who come here illegally come here with no regards to our laws, those who wait to come here file all the needed paperwork come here with the intent of obeying and respecting our laws. To say that those who come here legally don't have as much hardship or have made as much if not more sacrifice then those who have jumped the border is outrages. I have seen this country over the past 20 years take a dive, most part because our inferstructer can't handle the amount of people who have come here without any government regualtion. Those who are blinded by what is really going on, don't see the impact that this is causing many who are legally here and who where born here. Basically without any regulation our system can't handle it. This issue isn't an immigration issue it's an issue of law and what is best for our country. If the inferstructer calapses then what, is this healthy for the Country? I think not. We have laws to protect those living here and those who come here illegally. The reason for the limits our government sets on immigration is to make sure our inferstructer can handle it, and not over burnden our schools, hospitals, and jails as it is now. By the way I am one of those legal immigrants who is proud to be a US Citizen, please stop confusing those who obey the law with those who don't by making this an immigration issue, this is a criminal issue, immigration is reserved for those who waited for a better life and where given the permision to come here legally

I beleive that immigrants should still be allow to enter the United States of America under the following conditions: Apply for legal residence, learn the language of our country, obey our country's rules, regulations and laws. I also beleive that only a specific number of immigrants should be allowed per year. This number would include all immigrants not just the hispanic aliens from Mexico. It just dosen't make sense to keep overloading the United States resoures for immigrants trying to leave an over taxed system in their own countries. It's just bringing their problems along with them and forcing them on our infrastructures.

If they can enter the country following the laws and without placing burdons on our governments and already exsisting citizens then let it happen. Welcome if you want to join us legally.

I am not anti-immigrant, my maternal grandparents having been immigrants. However, they, as so many before them and since, did it right: they came here legally, got a green card, got social security numbers, eventually their own apartment, jobs, paid taxes, learned the language, and were eventually granted U.S. citizenship.

Illegals, on the other hand, either have fraudulent green cards, or none at all. Without a green card, you cannot get a social security number. Without a social security number, you have no account into which to pay taxes. Without paying the fair share of taxes, whatever that may be for the wages earned, you are stealing, both money and services, whether local, state, or federal, regardless of whatever any well-meaning liberal minded person says to the contrary, and that costs all of us who do pay taxes much more than our fair share, much more.
The problem is multi-fold, since the practice of employing illegals for cash at the end of the day has gone on for so long, that it has become an entrenched part of our society, in many regions. Those of us who have proper registration or license, carry proper insurance(s), and pay our taxes, are being forced to compete with those who do none of the foregoing.
Therefore, to put a crass perspective on the question asked, it is not a question of love, or affection, for this country, it is simply a purely economic equation, either from the perspective of being able to send "home" illegally obtained wages, on which no taxes have been paid, and having taken available work away from someone who, by virtue of their legality, has a prior right and entitlement to said work, should they choose to go after it, or, from the perspective of being able to exploit someone's lust for the bucks, by employing illegals and conveniently avoiding the burden of paying taxes on their wages and insurance on their lives. In either case, it's not love for the country, but pure, unmitigated greed, that exacerbates the problem of illegals. In my not-so-humble opinion, both sides deserve to be punished as harshly as the law will allow.

There is much to be said about your article & Mr. Kinsley's. For starters, are you aware that last year alone, $3 billion was sent back to Mexico by illegal immigrants? Statistics speak for themselves. Our hospitals have/are going in the red from illegal immigrants w/o insurance; automobile accidents caused by uninsured illegals are catastrophic to the American citizens; jobs in HOUSING construction are taken by illegals because they work for less (& developers WANT & hire the illegals); jobs in highway construction are being taken over by illegals, again, less wages for big companies; many illegals refuse to learn the English language, etc. Laws are laws, and should not be broken. Just because they cross the border, risking their lives, is no excuse for giving them amnesty or to say they appreciate the USA more than our forefathers or we American citizens who have worked hard. Yes, the border should be built and manned, and no, the limit should not be raised for immigration. There are other people in this world who wait to get into this country legally. You & Mr. Kinsley really should stick to the facts in your articles instead of going out in left field.....

I think immigrants from the past came to make this country great and to have a better way of life here, then in there country.todays illegal immigrants come here to suck our great country dry. they beat the system, free medical,free education,welfare,we even give them transportation in the name of mass transit up and down our highways.they seem to be above the law.the ones who have cars have no car insurance. and we get tickets for anything and everything.and last immigrants from years past wanted to learn english and was very proud when they became legal citizens.if your here illegal and give birth child should be illegal also . this would stop alot of illegals from coming here.

Several points no-one has mentioned regarding illegal immigration:
The only taxes they pay are sales taxes. Untaxed income puts a burden on every law abiding person.
Illegals are eligable for various government subsidies, including our social security. Is it any wonder the SS system is in financial trouble.
Another subsidy is free medical care. One of our local hospitals is near collapse because of finances, and they are required by state law to take anyone presenting themselves for treatment. It's bad enough they have to care for our own poor but having to take illegals also just worsens the problem. And in this city, illegals out number our local poor or uninsured.

Mr. Kinsley states the illegals love this country more because of their risking-it-all. Bull. Most of them have families back in Mexico. They work here for a year or two sending money home (affecting our foreign debt)and eventually return home and then come back to work again when they run out of money. And our corporate people make it easy for them by providing dual language signage, menus, instructions et all. Our schools systems MUST provide Spanish speaking teachers because most Mexican kids don't understand English enough, so where is the incentive for illegals to become legal and learn English when we cater to them. And illegal children qualify for free breakfast and lunch at school. The financial cost to our system, and burden on our infrastructure is enormous. Take a hard look at what it's costing you and your local governments (city, county and state) and multiply that out for 20 million people across the land. Realize also that only a handful of states are burdened with the majority of the illegals.

Interesting. (I am not hear to defend either side of the arguement, just posting this for you to think about) When we speak of illegal immigrants, tell me which race/group of people are WE really attacking and why we refuse to mention it? uh huh, do we really care if canadians want to come to America ( question is why would they want to) , the Irish, the English, anyone from the Asian countries, we seem to accept most of them with open arms, either for religious reasons or out of guilt or maybe because they are rich ... But of all the immigrants from all parts of the world, who and from what country in particular are we really speaking of and why is it more political for that one group and not for any of the other countries who might have people that migrate here? If we are segregating one group of people out, then maybe we are racists. And if we had immigration laws like mexico and Canada, we would be insulted with the feeling of being called the next evil empire. ( I myself, do not understand why it is ok for everyone else to do it, not the US.. I am not saying to serve all on a silver platter and roll out a red carpet or a paved with gold, a road to anyone and everyone, BUT ) We want cheap labor,
(and we have to think about the future, it's really our own fault for demoralizing the dirty work as sub-human work.) and we do not seem want a certain member or minority group to be the ones who do it. What does that make us so called legal Americans? without cheap labor and people to do our dirty work, do not complain when a head of lettuce costs u $10-$15. If the so called majority of the USA wants to find out the hard way, change the laws, and enforce them, lets not force other countries to make life for its citizens better so they do not have to come to the USA, lets erect a 20 meter high wall around us,(or is it just the south of us?) shooting all who enter illegally, otherwise like it or not, accept others who come here seeking something better because their own lame-ass country doesn't... You might not like it, but at one time most of your ancestors, immigrated to America.. They may have arrived in a different boat, but not everyone was accepted and THEY had to try, try, try again.. I realize there is always that argument of procedure, but times change. And the port of entry has too, Deal with it.

Illegals don't love the U.S. They think they are entitled to come here. They believe they are taking back what belongs to them anyway. They don't bother to learn English. Why should they when we will all be speaking Spanish in a few years if they have their way. They are not entitled to be here and should all be sent home. Let them work on building their own country the way our ancestors built this country. Mexico has all the natural resources that the U.S. has, maybe more. They can make their own country better instead of coming here to make ours worse.

Mr. Kinsley,

I think you are sadly mistaken, the majority of these illegal aliens carry the entitlement attitude quietly and when provoked the truth is revealed. I was working for a small loan office and had to deal with these people regularly, they would tell me things such as, "you need to learn spanish" and, " you came into our country, we just left and came back". These are the sorts of comments that I would get daily. The people of Mexico that come here are as racist as it gets, I understand and speak a little Spanish although I do not speak it to customers, I would allow them to carry on thinking that I could not understand them and they would refer to me as the "stupid white boy", they would commonly refer to our black customers and "negrito's", which enraged those who understood it. These people have no regards for the law, or even rules of society in general, they are the majority of the accounts that went unpaid and eventually were P&L accounts. This is a disgrace to those who wait patiently in line in other countries, just waiting for a piece of paper that says they can come here to get a shot at prosperity, you should be ashamed of yourself for making excuses for the law breaking illegal immigrants, they are criminals and should be treated as such.

Mr. Kinsey is total wrong in his comparison of our legal immagrants of a century and a half ago, to the illegal immigrants sneaking across our borders today. My grandmother came from Germany, and came here an learned our language, and there was no welfare for her, so she and her husband worked hard, made a nice life for themselves, and accomplished the American dream. They loved this country, and obeyed all of it's laws, and never wanted to, or went back to their native country. America was their Country. The illegals immigrants of today come into this Country to get all of it's goodies, Welfare, free education, free medical care, pay little or no taxes, send money back to their home Country, and some are criminals, attacking honest Americans. These new immigrants don't love this Country, or they wouldn't march in the streets, carrying the Mexican flag hoiste above the American flag. These immigrants are costing us taxpayer (immigrants of yore) billions of dollars to support once they are here. I say, "Take the Welcome mat away", and maybe then our legal Americans can find work for themselves.

If they come in to the U.S.A. illegally then they are criminals, end of story. If they want to live here so badly they can go through the proper channels. They come here illegally and expect to be treated a citizens with all the rights that comes with it, yet they want us to change to accommodate them. They refuse to learn our language or at least pretend that they don't understand so that they don't have to answer for their wrong doing or can pretend they don't understand instructions. Then we accommodate them by providing them with interpreters at tax payer expense. This is all wrong!

If they want to come in to the U.S. legally, learn our language and our ways, as my ancestors did, then I will welcome them.

If not they are criminals and should be punished as such.

Ms. O'Conner and Mr. Kinsley, the people who love this country the most are those who are willing to learn and accept the language and learn and accept the policies and practices that are associated with and are a part of this country. The people who love this country the most are not the ones who come here, either legally or illegally, for free "milk and honey" (particularly welfare maternity and other health care). Those who love this country the most have flags of this country hanging in their automobiles. They speak the same language that those who love this country speak. If the people that you speak of (whether legal or illegal) had ANY love of this country, the animosity that they face by those who do love this country would disappear. You may want to call this a hate letter if you wish, but it is not a hate letter; it is simply a letter in defense of this country that I love.

Does Marjie O'Connor understand the word illegal? The illegal immigrants are not helping this country. It's farce when someone states that the illegals are doing the jobs that Americans would not do. Think about it...do you really believe that every person who was working in the service/hotel industry, construction and fast food industry, all received promotions. You can't go to a hotel, or go by a construction site without seeing illegals in the positions that were once held by Americans. No, they do not love this country more. They are criminals and so are the companies who snub their noses at our laws. All the companies care about is hiring illegals to enjoy higher profits. What happened to loyalty to employees and keeping a strong economy. There are so many people out of work and out of unemployment benefits. This causes an inaccurate report on the unemployed in our country. I could go on and on about this travesty, but I won't. All American citizens need to stay abreast of this issue.

I love these articles. Especially when they are written by "intellectuals". Because they know that their spewing a crock of crap. But like our politicians they also know that Americans love to be led. And like Bush knows... if you say it over and over again people will believe it.

I can't even imagine why someone would compare illegals to legal immigration. I believe that legal immigrants care more for this country because they want to be here and stay here. They want to make this their home and they are willing to wait on an endless list to be able to finally come here.

But if you say that an invasion of illegals proves that they love this country more then I do , would cause me to take a fighting stance. Because I believe that all of these "intellectuals" are selling out this country for a pool of cheap labor and they care less then a fat dogs fart about their fellow Americans. They haven't bothered to watch how many jobs have been outsourced, how many illegals are coming into the country every week (8,000). Its a case of I got mine and so sad for you. I can now afford to take the high ground.

You Mr. Kinsley are either taking advantage of the cheap labor or you are heavily invested in the stocks belonging to companies that have taken advantage of the cheap labor and want the profits to continue.

Be honest with yourself, You have another agenda. No one can be that nieve about what is going on in this country

I think they just like the money they make. They get everything free, I think they should pay taxes if they are going to live here. I work with them , I have even copared our cheks, same hrs, I bring hme 300 they bring home 600

If the illegals love our country so much then they could try flying the U.S. flag instead of the flag of the country they came from and try learning our language. Also, does every product made in the U.S. have to be in Spanish, also. Could illegals not tell what toilet paper is or a can of green beans is without it being written in Spanish? They moved here, we didn't move there.

For more than 50 years I have been forced to subsidize the wages of illegal immigrants; providing them with food, shelter, education and health care that I could not afford for my own children. Now my children and grandchildren are being forced to do the same. Meanwhile the elite of Mexico live like monarchs because Mexico is the wealthiest Latin American country and they pimp their poor to American employers for American taxpayers to support. The illegal workers send millions of non-taxed dollars to Mexico!

When my grandparents came to America, they did not receive handouts. They worked for everything they got and went without things they could not pay for, like health care and food!

To say that illegals love the US more than past immigrants is absurd! Illegal immigration depends on fraud at every level. My grandmother and her family came here legally, and I have the papers to prove it. They didn't come here to drop a bambino so they could get on welfare. They didn't wave their native flag in the streets. I agree with Lars's last statement. Mr. Kinsley is just absurd in his thinking. He should do some reading about how important the rule of law is to the collective rights of citizens of a nation. What does Mr. Kinsley have to say to those who have been waiting years to immigrate legally and be reunited with their families?

Great article!

Obviously this is a complicated issue, however it seems to me that it is being used by politians to promote whatever is the current buzz of the day and political agenda their party is promoting.

Living on the border for the last fifty years and working with many of these individuals I can honestly state that the Mexican people who come to the US do not take away jobs that other people living here want, but generally do service jobs for minimum wage and often less. They are taxed by their employers for the maximum amount of income taxes and they generally do not file for refunds due to fear of the system. Ditto asking for welfare for the same reason. Generally, most are males who are trying to get enough money to help out their families back home. They are hard working, live frugally, and stay out of trouble in order to survive. It is rare that the whole family unit comes here as illegal immigrants.

Lastly I would remind Lars that a large area of this country WAS theirs, complete with their language and customs long before it was taken from them by a combination of Northern immigrants who did not want to obey their laws or return the benefits (free land) provided by their host country Mexico. Rather after only five years they paid mercinary soldiers from another country (the US) to fight their battles and used dirty politicians on both sides of the fence to finally gain an advantage here. Read your history folks and think about it while you are out harvesting the crops, working in a cannery,doing heavy construction. or working behind the scenes in your favorite restaurants and hotels and do other similiar jobs so others like you can sit in your nice homes, have a nice evening out and spend time with your families and argue about this and lets see how much energy you will have left to continue this point. In case you are wondering, I am all for securing the entry of people who are likely to cause terrorism, however you are mixing up two separate and very different populations here.

I DON'T UNDERSTAND THE LOGIC BEHIND THINKING THAT BREAKING THE LAWS OF A COUNTRY PROVE LOVE OR RESPECT. Rather It shows contempt. This is evident in the refusal to learn the language.When my great grand parents came to this country they didn't expect social programs or free medical care.

I have to agree with the posted comment whole heartly it really has gotten out of hand

If the illegals are wanting to be such a great part of America, why do they continue to break our laws after they are here. Why do they run into other peoples cars and drive away. Why do they break our zoning laws and tresspass on our property and try to tell us it belongs to them, we had to hire a survey team and put up a fence before the police wuld serve them with a tresspassing ticket. We are retired and it cost us over $800 by the time we were done. Why do they continue to run us off the road. One man when his neighbor complained that he was raising chickens in a nice residential neighborhood, left dead rabbits in their cars, on their front door and al around their house. Many Americans have lost their jobs to these illegals who work for less because they won't pay for insurance and pile 4 families into one house so that we pay to educate their children. They wreck our cars and drive away, they take their ill into our emergency rooms and leave us to pay. These aren't what I consider great people who will make good citizens. They demand their rights, what rights, they are here illegally, they are just here to make as much money as possible and send it back home to Mexico.

I love this country.i don't think it is so much the illegal ones that is the problem .i think it is the number,thats why they are suppost to go through channels to come into the country.it is too much too fast.why should they not wait on line like everyone else.

Do you live in a state where a million people are illegal? Do you drive on the same roads as a million people with no valid plates, no driver's license, and no car insurance? Do you live in a state where poverty is rampant, lack of health insurance the norm, and a school system that is broken? Have you worked thirty years like me paying taxes to see your pockets be stripped to give to people who are in this country illegally, who refuse to learn English, who send money out of the country, who don't pay taxes, who commit crimes repeatedly and are given a free pass until they kill someone? Welcome to Texas or should I say Mexico. The American dream is no more. We live in an occupied country.

i cannot agree with you as to appreciation of US being greater in illegals than legals. my experience with illegals in the context of my job is not gratitude but entitlement and often manipulation of the system. my husband is in the medical profession and observes the same frequent tendency.
my daughter is engaged to a northern irish citizen who is not applying for a visa and eventually citizenship. even tho the process is frustrating at times and expensive he has respect for our government and is crossing every t and dotting every i.
respectfully jacquey riser, asheville, n.c.

living in a part of the country that does NOT enslave illegal immigrants, I see no use for them, they are trashing our country after having ruined their own. Sure they pick here then have several anchor babies we must care for; they stay taking up our better jobs, and refusing to really learn English. It's not love they have but disrespect.

i was born in mexico, my mother and all my other ancesters were born in texas. my grandfather left us because a white man likes his land and took it with the help of the texas rangers. should we be kept out of us.

Mr. Kinsley, you haven't a clue do you? Maybe this will help you, but that may be assuming to much...

http://www.thedustininmansociety.org/

PS. Is HGTVpro becoming a mouth piece for Illegal Aliens aka Foreign Nationals?

I think Kinsey and the illegals should both be deported. Immigrants who truly LOVE this country should be more than willing to follow its laws, assimilate into its culture, and learn and SPEAK its chosen language.
To minimize the criminal actions of these border-crossers and the politicians who support and abet them is just one more symptom of a nation that has a serious cancer growing within itself, as well as a slap in the face to those who followed the rules in the past.
You can bet your sweet bippy if I chose to go to their countries, I'd darn sure have to learn THEIR language, follow their rules, accept that I was INELIGIBLE for certain programs AND jobs and be considered an intruder regardless of whether I was legal or not.
Kinsey, Let me send you an AMERICAN dollar so you can buy a REAL clue.

Marjie,
I think you should have been taught the lesson that I did when I was growing up.
If a man and his family is starving, is it alright to steal? The answer is always NO!

I challenge anyone who says illegal aliens do not steal to prove not a single tax dollar goes to anyone here illegally.

Illegals do not want to become Americans unless it is easy and free. Immigrants want to become Amercians and they start by doing the right thing. Going thru a long arduous process.

If the illegals are so brave to work under fear of deportation and abuse, why are they not standing up to their own corrupt, uncaring government? If Illegal aliens know so much about and love what our country stands for, why not take over their government and emulate the United States? Because, it is easier to steal from others.

We may not have fought for America like our grandparents or great-grandparents but we may end up doing so. Many are starting to see that now.

Sure, it is cheaper and easier to use illegal labor. Loss of that cheap labor may impact our economy now but it is still a market economy and will stabilize. Part of the problem is not looking at America as "our" country that we sometime have to sacrifice a little for our fellow citizens. If that means paying a little more or doing without so an American has a job, that is where our generosity should be directed.

Keep America employed..

Mike
Austin,TX

w e need to inforce the law ,already on the boobs

I find this whole conversation distasteful. What do we not understand about illegal? Just because drugs are illegal do we stop doing anything about that problem or DWI or rape or any other crime? First off when these people enter they are committing their first crime in the US. Then they take a job with false papers, while swearing they are legal papers, they are committing their second crime and driving without a license they committ their third crime and without insurance their fourth. Some states have a three strike rule but we have advocates for these criminals. Do they come here with good intentions, I wouldn't know because all I see is that they started their life here breaking the law. To add to the insult they protest our discussion of their status by waving the Mexican flag in our face. I know many people who came here through the legal process and they resent the US pandering to illegals.

I'm glad that Mr. Kinsley is giving an approach of love to the illegal immigration issue, I just want to say that more than love is need the one that brings us (now and in the past) to leave our countries and try better luck some where else like in the US. The love came after we make this country our way of life: we live here, work here, marry here and have kids here. For sure we won't send money back to our country if the love ones where here with us, but unfortunately they are not and we try to compensate our absent with money, the same way a person that moves from one State to another o a kid that graduate from College and try to help the parents as much as he/she can. The human nature is to help our love ones. That why is very sad that in the comments, a square minded people could make such a simple analogy about someone?s wife on a very serious issue. The illegal immigrants is a situation that affect us all the same, we are talking about human beings just like us with dreams, hopes and feelings. Now, we should we thinking how to resolve this situation without falling in the rupture of the Human Rights, which the US represents and defend so well at the eyes of the whole world. I?ll say this is a theme we should really thing about it and not to take easy decisions that our conscience and the future can really take a toll in our descendants.

I tend to wonder. I don't believe illegals are creating the level of harm that some Cassandras see, but I have to wonder at the expressed desire of so many to return "home" after they've got enough money saved. Does that present a picture of an immigrant, legal or illegal, who loves his adopted country?

My immediate family weren't immigrants, but I was raised in a mostly Italian community in the '40s and '50s, and saw the effort those people put into fitting into the world immediately around them, often having to tolerate jibes almost as rough as those tossed at Hispanics today, but in every case I knew of (not all cases, by any means)the desire expressed was to form a part of the U.S.A., to "melt" into our great melting pot.

Today? I don't know. Nor do I know what the answer is to illegal immigration, though several billion bucks on a wall is not remotely it.

In over 19 years dealing with this issue one on one with our "undocumented visitors" I admit there are those that come with full intentions of adhering to all of our laws and do what is asked of them to follow all legal avenues; except of course having legal status. Then there are those who say that is their intention but are pure criminals in their actions here. Yes there are the good and there are the bad. From ALL countries of the world.

Having said that, I receive calls often from all over the country telling this same story. "My father retired from work in Vermont but his social security benefits are being held up because their records show he has been working in 'Waco, Texas' (for example) for the last eight years. He has never been to 'Waco, Texas." We obviously know that most likely an illegal alien has been using this persons SSN and now causes this stalemate between the man retiring and the Social Security Administration.

This is just ONE example of issues that are not commonly broadcast that arise out of illegal immigration. I have no agenda. I am just giving you the facts.

I think it is a question of discipline.If you have it you do things by the book, like it normally should be. If you don't have discipline,we tend to do things your own way (meaning risking jail, breaking the law, entering the country illegally, refusing to speak the language of the country you are in, etc etc). And I don't think that illegal immigrants love the USA more than myself, (a legal one who is now a US citizen.)I had to struggle to learn the language, take menial jobs in the beginnings but I made it decently.

Lars, Thanks for the insight in to your family's immigration experience. Mine is different and just like everyone has their own set of individual curicumstances. When my great grandfather came to this country he did exactly what yours did not do. He sent money back to Italy. He still spoke mostly Italian and broken english after being here for fifty years. He was discrimated against and looked upon with distain just because he was Italian. I don't think he loved this country as much as he tolerated it. People come here for different reasons and have different experiences. I don't think your family has rights on what should be the acceptable.

The idea that the illegals only take jobs that Americans won't do is a farce and a lie. I personally have seen too many of my friends and coworkers ruined financially because they could not compete with construction companies that illegally hired the illegal immigrants.

Do these Americans not love their country? As so many of them are Vietnam era vets, I believe they have made one of the greatest sacrafices possible to support this country. And then they get ruined in their late fifties and early sixties because the US government won't uphold the law and "allows" law breaking illegal immigrants to enter this country.

Think about that for a minute Mr. Kinsley

I am so tired of hearing how illegal immigrants are doing "the dirty jobs " Americans don't want to do. I see many Americans having to work two or more low paying jobs just to get by, meanwhile the illegals are making $10-$12 an hour, and not having to pay taxes.PLus they are the one getting medical and benefits that we have to pay for. The government is not investing enough in us "AMERICANS"....Too much for everybody else but us!!

really people should not say if the illegals love the US or not if they do not know alot of them , the second posting from Marjie O'Connor sound like she knows NONE , I live in Los Angeles and know alot (Mexicans)and they love the US , when 911 came around alot of them flew US flags , it was a suprise but thats how it went down , remember there are alot of good people that are here illegal the thing is that people dont realize they are only seeing the worst on the news every nite . So far the only illegals that I have noticed that do not particularly think highly of the US that I have met (and there has been many) are Indians (India), middle easterners and europeans , I have been around alot and they talk a lot of s*** about the US , but any way I am an American and have asked these people so I know for a fact they love the US , and just for your information many pay taxes with green cards and fake socials, , sure many work low jobs under the tables with no taxes paid but think about it , it is the jobs that almost every single American has too much pride to do , would you go pick me some lettuce for 5.00 dollars an hour ?

Well I guess everyone can make their own opinion sound like it's the right solution but we are all short of true wisdom, even myself. I know I don't have all the answers but I do know someone who does. He says to give is better to give then to receive, to help your neighbor that is in need, to love your enemies, to forgive all, and all these radical things that one might be blown away and ask themselves if its truly possible to live it out in your own personal life. I'm sure there isn't a single human other Jesus Christ that has lived perfectly but I do know many others who have improved their ways in many of areas of their lives. In his word we are taught to also obey the laws of the land which is also very important, it is something that is without question as important as everything else that is mentioned in the scriptures. In the beginning this government was established with Godly principles and in my opinion is the only true explanation as to why it is has been blessed and prosperous. (Read the story of Solomon) Now knowing the information above, I see two problems from both perspectives on the issue of immigration.((help your neighbor that is in need & obey the laws of the land )) I can't say that I have the solution that would fix it all just some things to consider before putting your opinion on here.

Sneaking into the US is illegal. If you don't know the meaning of illegal go to dictionary.com
The main trouble with illegals they have have no drivers license,car insurance, no health insurance and these things are just a few. An illegal in Lexington KY came across three lanes of traffic so she could pull into the mall. She struck a guy on a motorcycle and killed him. What did they do to her, nothing they deported her back to Mexico and I'm sure she came back within a few weeks. What is going to stop people from other countries traveling to Mexico and illegally crossing the border into the US. All we are doing is opening the border to everyone. Your great, great grand children will suffer because we are spine less and being POLITICALLY CORRECT.

If I could go to another country illegally then make them speak english, easily get work,housing,transportation all the while law enforcement looked the other way; THEN not pay income taxes yet get free education, health care, etc.,etc,etc. I would most definately LOVE that country! HELLLLLOOOOOOO.

Mr. Kinsley could be farther from the truth.
United States citizens are getting discriminated against because of illegals.
Try get a job in a kitchen in some nationwide restraunt chain. You don't speak spanish, have social security number you cost them more money.
They have to pay payroll taxes on you where illegals theres no taxes, no health coverage etc.
Go to any hospital emergency room and watch them get free health care. Where it cost me alot of money between monthly payments for health insurance and my deductable on top of that.

I couldn't disagree with Mr. Kinsley more.
Lars' comment that "I suppose Mr. Kinsley would also suggest that a rapist loves my wife more than I do just because he's willing to risk going to jail for assaulting her" quite accurately describes my feelings and those of the majority in our country. Limits on immigration have been set for a reason, that being to maintain reasonable numbers of immigrants so that the economy and society at large isn't thrown into a crisis. Our leaders failed us in permitting it to get to this point. Let's get back to an orderly process that makes sense, not one that merely provides cheap labor and further drives our country into 2 classes-the haves and the have-nots.

what the hell is wrong with you people!!! what part of illegal do you not understand!! i am a union carpenter and it is a disgrace that these illegal 'carpenters' call themselves one. i have worked besides them and would not let them build a dog house. i feel sorry for the southwest, there residential houses are built like shanties and will need to be torn down in the future.

I am very disappointed in this point of view. Coming to America is not the same thing as becoming an American. I would like to believe that legal immigrants come here to become Americans (although I do see evidence of late that that is not the case). Illegal immigrants do not largely come here with that intent. They come here because they can earn (and they do work very hard for it) more money then they can in their native countries. They do spend some of their earnings here but they also send much of it back home. This practice does not make them part of America but takers instead.

It is not drawing a fine line either as it goes towards the very basis of what America is. Everyone in the past that has come here, including my family, which got here in the 1600?s, comes here with the intention of becoming part of the fabric that makes up America! Illegals are not interested in this. They demonstrate every day that what they care about is what they can take from us.

I live in a city that is 5 miles from the Mexico border and know the problem first hand. We (THE US) need to stop playing games with the people of other countries and eather open the the border or lock it down tight.

What is wrong with people? we have given up and allowed this to get out of hand. yes all my ancester came here but they wanted to be come American-they worked hard to fit in - important part- they also did it legally. live in the southwest for awhile and get a true sense of what the illegals are doing...first they have no desire to learn english, and get mad if you tell them too. if we weren't paying them low wages under the table our economy would be better. I have stood in line in grocery store customer service areas on weekends and you can not get waited on because of all the mexicans "wire transfering" there money home! they live with as many people in a apt. or house as can fit so they can save to send Home to Mexico.
the government doesn't care, they are letting a lot of jobs outsourced so all we have left are low paying jobs. the rich are getting richer and we in the middle class are going to be part of the new poor.

Hello,

I read your article and I agree with you 100%. I am a legal immigrant of U.S.A.. I came to this country 20 years ago, I was only 21 years old, already in college/law school/3rd year. I did not want or need to come here. But I did.

I came to US, I worked very hard, I went to school and today I am a Real Estate Professional, I help american people to buy or sell their properties and it is very special to me when I'm able to help them to buy their first home.

I got a home in the US, now I'm helping Americans to get a home in their own country.

When I am here I feel that I am home, this is my country, I do not feel the same way when I travel to the country I was born in Brazil.

But is very sad to see people with issues of disrespect towards immigrants, just because they were not born in the US. When americans travel other countries such as Brazil and built multinationals corporations there, they are not treated with disrespect nor they feel that they are exploiting ones country's economy.

Just because we are immigrants does not make us criminals or bad people. NOT all immigrants are bad people.

Aren't we all immigrants???

According to US history when Christopher Columbus discovered America the Indians were the true Americans, right????

It doesn't not matter what country you come from. If you are hear illegally it is wrong? If you have so much passion about the U.S. then why not contribute to the nation instead of just taking from it? We are providing them with free healthcare and free education. Whom do you think pays for that? The money comes from legal citizens. Why can illegal immigrants work for less than the average american? If I didn't pay taxes on everything I made I surely could survive on less pay as well.
American people are complaining of healthcare, healthcare. Medicare cuts back reimbursement to physicians every year, but the cost of providing healthcare increases. Who ends up paying that additional cost. Americans? Yes, but not only that, but those Americans that have worked all their lives contributing to the government, and are now retired on a fixed income. Can they afford this? Nope. Do you think over filled emergency rooms and clinics providing free healthcare to illegal citizens is helping? I wouldn't think so.

If they love America so much why is it when they are here they change neighborhoods into exactly what they left. Americans don't desert their country when life gets tough.

I have just finished chemo and radiation because of cancer. Because I was born in this country, and am unable to afford health insurance, I had to wait 11 months from the date the diagnosis was made until I received treatment. I applied for Soc. Sec. Disability and Medi-Cal, as I am unable to work, as soon as I received my diagnosis. It took them 11 months to finally agree I am Medically Disabled. 3 days to show I am financially poor. The sad part is that if I were not a US citizen my treatment would have probably started in 11 days!?! Illegal immigration is costing this country more than mere dollars...It is also costing lives. Please explain to me how describing illegals as law breaking scum is wrong. As with everyone else in this country my ancestors immigrated to this country LEGALLY. My Grandmother took extreme pride in learning to speak, write, and read english. My Dad still has her notebook and other materials she used in studying this great nation...My Grandparents would have been embarresed and appalled to have been given everything without working for it. The biggest difference is that now illegals feel they deserve to be given anything and everything. That is some difference.....Illegals do not come to become a part of a patriotic population, but for whatever they can get.

I have to pay for their free healthcare, foodstamps, etc., and now they are better Americans than me?

The people who worked hard and built this country to what it is today, legal immigrants etc., have been getting the shaft for years. The illegals from whatever country they come from, are just another shaft driven deep into the heart of people who try to do things right. It seems we honor those who choose to do everything wrong, and walk or stomp allover those who have done so much to build our great country to what we enjoy today. Is this what we call political correctness, or is this just plain up-side down and backwords????? People like Kinsley don't have a clue!!!!!!!!!!!

I am really surprised that HGTV would broach the issue of illegal aliens. Living in Texas, it's almost impossible to to avoid them anytime you have someone work on your home. Contractors hire them for everything, not just jobs nobody else wants. Consequently, we the homeowners get shoddy work and the contractors get more money in their bank accounts. Just because illegals are hungry for money, doesn't mean quality work. And, in the case of my sister's new home, they didn't love it enough to show respect by not trashing it everyday while they worked. She had to clean their trash and bathroom messes daily.

So, call this what it really is. Illegals don't love this country more than legals. They love the money. They love the opportunity to get more than they can get in their own country. If they loved the U.S. so much, then why don't they learn English?

Call it what this really is. Illegals love getting more money than they can at home and more services without cost. Employers love getting slaves who can't run to a lawyer when they get cheated.

You can make an argument to disagree with many laws of our land. Let's just let folks obey the laws they believe in, shall we?? Either we are a strong, healthy country of law, or we are a lawless country. Civilization obviously needs definition of right and wrong. Those whose parents didn't teach them right from wrong need society (Here it's the voters)to teach them. People coming here because they work around the law are simply committing a crime no matter how you color it , and they are therefore criminals-nothing less. Those of us who live and have grown up on the border saw the beginning where the illegals were hard working good people-many still are. There are also many who are drug and people trafficking, or rapists ,forgers,identity stealing,car stealing, tax-evading types as well. Please take your head out of the clouds!!

What a huge disappointment to find a ridiculous article like this in the HGTV Pro Newsletter. Another left wing blame it on America and Americans first article.
Marjie O'Connor you should be ASHAMED!
HGTV Pro Newsletter you ought to know better and also should be ASHAMED!
Michael Kinsley, well we already know there is no hope for you.

PS: With this type of trash in the newsletter I think it is time to unsubscribe.

30 years of Electrical Contracting has been my livelyhood for all of that time.
I pledge allegiance to the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands,one nation under God indivsible, with liberty and justice for all.
My moto is "I shall only work those who are eligible to work"
I am tired of hearing that the legal immigrants are doing what we don't want to do, who I ask, has been doing the dirty work for all of these years.
"NUTS"
America love or leave it. Frank Elkins

I think Mr. Kinsley meant well, however, to say that illegal immigrants have more love for the USA, this I believe that is incorrect. In my personal opinion, because I have met a lot of illegal immigrants through my work place, just come into this country so they can make more money than they are making in their country (which by the way, they take all the jobs that US citizens wouldn't dream of doing nor accept the wages these jobs are paying). Some come here escaping legal issues, some come here for better wages and some come here to take advantage of our welfare system. For whatever reason these illegal immigrants have to come over, the word "ILLEGAL" is what is wrong. I understand that some of these immigrants do not have the finances to apply for Visas or even citizenship in this country. Its expensive in some countries to apply for Traveling Visas or for Employment Visas which a lot of folks can not afford are expensive. Nevertheless, they should be going through the correct channels and if they can not go through it, then they should make the best in which ever country they live in. However, to single out just the Mexicans (which is what I'm reading here in these comments) is not fair. There a lot of illegal Chinese, Haitians, Jamaicans, Dominicans, Hondurans, Costa Ricans, Colombians, and not to mention Cubans.

As for the language, everyone should know more than 1 language. In other countries along with their native language one of the other languages taught in their country is English. If one wanted to work for any of the US top Federal Government Agencies and you spoke another language aside of English, you would be considered over someone that only speaks English (and your 2nd language doesn't have to be Spanish). The more languages one person knows the more opportunities one has in the working environment especially in government agencies.

But for a lot of us American Citizens, it's not that illegal immigrants come here and don't pay taxes nor its because these immigrants take our jobs (the jobs these immigrants take not one US Citizen wants to do for fair Fedearal or State wages never mind under legal wages like these immigrants get paid). FACE IT!!!! The words are discrimination, racism, bigotries. However, this another area that no one will admit to nor wants to point out to cause it might just be like opening mouth and inserting foot, however, there is a lot of this in this country. What we need to sit back and think about, is if one's ancestors are obviously not originally from the USA (regardless whether legal or illegal coming here) how does one, with the same issues in the past, would feel if the same treatment was given to our parents, grandparents or great grandparents in today's current society. (I guess the foot is not tasting to good in the mouth now.)

Well, it's a shame that the government can not come up with a fair solution nor can I individually think of one or suggest one. It is a major problem that needs to be addressed. Instead of badgering the illegal immigrants ("MEXICANS"), people should be coming up with procedures and emailing it to Congress so that maybe some great solution can come from everyone's opinion in handling the situation.

Illegal immigrants of any race or nationality are taking money from my paycheck because tehy do not pay taxeas and all the lazy perks of our society are available to them. They should be rounde up and deported. There are plenty of jobs in this country and we could all but eliminate the welfare system if the people receiving those benefits were forced to work or starve. I have been working since I was 15 and I am married 28 years, with 3 children. I stayed home with my children untill they were all in school and then went back to work. We are not rich. We struggled over the years and my husband worked a full time and a part time job so I could stay home. My children did not have the named brand clothes and all the latest electronics but they had clothes on there back, food in there stomachs and a roof over there heads. My father always said you'll always have everything you need but you'll never have everything you want. Illegal immigrants are making it harder for the legal american cictizen to maintain what they need and the welfare recipients are right behind the illegals. It's an easy problem to fix but no one with enough intestinal fortidude in a position to do the job.

By reading the postings you can see the sentiment is overwhelmingly against "illegal" immigration.
This echoes across America. We will no longer stand back and let someone wink and nod about following the law. We are realizing they are cheating all of America.
America is already the most generous nation in the world. We accept more LEGAL immigrants than the rest of the world combined. Do not accept criticism of your beliefs regarding illegal aliens. That is what the politicians are counting on.

We will no longer tolerate illegal aliens. No matter where they are from or what they are doing here.

One of the comments referred to not bringing up Canadians or Irish illegal aliens. Probably because they are not 25% of our prison popualtion. This is not stereotyping. Just facts.

It is time for those in the housing and service sector to realize they will be more closely monitored and must obey the law as we all do or we will look like Nuevo Laredo.

This is our land of our ancestors, Every one of you came illigal here in to our land, the white people did not have any passaport or visa or greencards. Your Ancestors came like pigs running when they heard Gold!. You invade our land made us your slaves and took over our land.

So, what are you talking about! who is the Illegals? You!

As at least one comment has already pointed out, HGTV is HGTV Pro-Illegal.
Most of these illegals DONT come here to blend in with the culture of this country. They come here to reap free medical, free medicine,free social services,low income housing, all funded by taxpayers, where they bring in more people than I would be allowed to have in 4 houses, much less one. They mass in areas and nieghborhoods,10-30 in 2-3 bedroom houses living in their own self created poor living conditions and their nieghbors cant do anything legally about it because an illegal has MORE rights than a US born citizen, so they are legally untouchable.
We are increasingly living in a country where the perpetrator is seen as the victim and the victim is scrutinized as if hs/she is the law breaker, or that the victim is just "intolerant".
LET'S GET ONE THING IN TO SOME PEOPLE'S THICK SKULLS. WE ARE NOT ALL IMMIGRANTS!!! I have heard this til I wanna puke! I was born here! I am NOT an immigrant. I didnt sneak into this country. My ancestors came here in 1866. Generation after generation were born here and they all grew up and grew old and died here.
My Grandfather's Grandfather's Dad was a slave owner. Are we ALL slaveowners? It's idiotic propagandists hired by big business and the government of Mexico and appeasers and people who are trying to get their whole family tree into this country who try to spoonfeed this into our heads.La Raza(Google it)is pro Hispanic, funded by your tax dollars but the Minutemen are Vigilantes?, and racist? Come on!I know the Minutemen have even Hispanic members.
I know alot of good people with work visas who had to go back home because their Visa had expired. They "Loved" this country and want to come back as soon as they can, but they are all law abiding and have blended in with our culture and respect our laws. Did you read that? OUR LAWS!Hopefully, someday my good friend from India, who speaks Perfect ENGLISH will get another Visa soon, but he is willing to wait, and do it LEGALLY.
There are SO MANY businesses who hire illegals because they can skirt our tax system and if an illegal gets hurt?, they send them on their way. The illegal gets free medical care on my tax dollar and find another job within their network of illegals.
Sneak into Mexico and not have enough money to buy off local officials and you will spend months in the squaller of a jail in the middle of nowhere among other inmates that hate you because you are a "Gringo".If you have a relative in the states that can buy you out of jail, you'll be one of the lucky ones, if you survive til then.
Before ANYONE criticises U.S. immigration law and our attitude toward illegals, find out what Mexico does to illegals who sneak into their country(unless you're wealthy)and how Americans are treated in Mexico(and I dont mean Acapulco where they treat you GREAT because you're spending money)I mean Tijuana and other poor border towns. I've been all over the world and if you're American, you're treated great if you're wealthy and stay in the big city in nice hotels and dont get caught up in a conjob or drift into the outskirts of town. My Point?
Americans,(even the ones who dont like illegals still treat them with more common decency than WE could ever expect to be treated by them in their country.
Too many illegals come here for the perks and have ZERO Alligance to this country. Just go to a US vs Mexico soccer game here in THIS country they "Love" and see who they cheer for.
What happens when our economy goes bad and constuction and landscaping goes down and we have millions of unemployed illegals who cant find work. Will they go back home or turn to other means of income,Legal OR ILLEGAL? Go ahead and call me names if you want, I dont care! The truth is the truth and calling me a bigot wont change the truth!!!

As I legal immigrant, I despise all illegal aliens and those who hire them. That means the Irish, the Canadians, the Indians, the Chinese and yes, the Mexicans. It's not racist. Since I came here as a student I have followed the laws faithfully. I have not worked when it was not legal to do so, which was hard on my husband who had to support us. I have applied for citizenship. This is where I live, my family and my home are now here.

I actually think that there should be a guest worker system, with a very limited term and limited rights. Actual citizenship should be very, very hard and revocable in immigrants. My in-laws came here legally and became citizens, yet their stated goal was to return to their home country (which they have, taking their earnings and Social Security with them). Here in Florida many interviews in the newspapers are are with illegals who are going to save their money up and go home. That's a guest worker, and so were my in-laws.

If you come here and intend to stay here, you should apply for a citizenship track, but if I hightail it back to Canada with my US earnings and Social Security, then maybe I should lose that citizenship and at least partial benefits (the same for those who retire to Mexico or somewhere else). Maybe the US and other countries should put some teeth in that requirement to give up all other citizenship when you become a citizen. They don't enforce it. If they did, everyone would have to reapply to emigrate back to the "old country". That might make people think long and hard about citizenship.

From all the many comments above, do not these so called experts (know-it-alls) and government officials get the message. Enter this country legally!! Upon doing so, learn and speak English, then we will take incoming immigrants seriously as wanting to be American citizens - not an extension of ANY other county. Not only are illegals a burden on our schools, medical community, and government assistance, many are contributing greatly to our crime rate. Children born to illegals while in the U.S. should NOT be considered U.S. citizens. That law should be changed and fast with the high birth rates. Congress and President Bush are dead wrong pushing this issue. Do what is right for United States citizens.

You know what really cracks me up? The fact that these people are here illegally and the government is going around busting all these businesses for hiring illegal immigrants. They are saying that it is against the law to hire them, which I totally agree with. But why then does the government in turn provide these people with FREE healthcare, better than what I pay $1200.00/mo for, section 8 assistance, when I'm struggling to pay my mortgage, and free food when I'm forced to shop at "savings stores". I mean come on now, it's illegal for everyone else but the government is the biggest SUPPORTER of all. WHY should AMERICA pay for these people? They don't even help their own. Back in the day when my husband was the only supporter of the family and I was pregnant with my daughter I was denied health insurance. He at the time was making $12.00/h! $12.00 AN HOUR was TOO MUCH income to qulaify for help with insurance costs for a family of 3! But people that don't even freakin' belong here get it automatically... COME ON NOW, SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE!!! Will they change the laws for them to be here, then to vote, than to run for govermnent offices... I can see it now...Next we'll have an illegal alien running for mayor or senate or president even... Where does it end???

A lot of the individuals presenting their views seem to be gripped by panic, fear, bitterness and lack of effort to get the facts straight. How much effort would it take to reach for a dictionary, for example, and check the correct spelling of words. Consider how much more effort it would take to get other facts straight. In addition, many imply that all illegal immigrants do not speak English, and that Mexicans are the only illegal immigrants here, (Note reference to "what's theirs".

Such emotional turbulence and lack of 'fact-checking' efforts are understandable. We are living in dangerous and stressful times. The,'We gotta look our for ourselves', motto seems justified, regardless. However, may I suggest that we dig deep, if we need to, into our reserves of compassion when it comes to illegal immigration? Those of us who live here and have never experienced what many, if not all of these illegal immigrants confront daily, cannot begin to appreciate the gratitude of many of these immigrants to even eke out a living.

Many flippantly parrot "God bless America", but try living the experience of many of these illegal immigrants for even a month and you will notice a difference in your innermost being when you even see written "God bless America".

Now I say this not to condemn, because Americans on a whole are always quick to respond with aid in times of national and international disasters. Many illegal immigrants have just been born in a country where disasters are a constant.

When an individual is drowning, trying to save him puts the one trying to save the one drowning at risk, but there is safety in numbers. Let's unite in an effort to best help those of humanity who are drowning.

America is blessed to be a blessing. It's a challenge at times to be a blessing, but that's why America is blessed.

Sure some 'bad eggs' make life hard, and many caring people get wary. Again this is where we need to unite and be vigilant against, and thwart the efforts of those who are here, (illegally or otherwise), to destroy, not build up

Love is still the way to go. Tough love when needed, but love nonetheless. It's not easy, but let's be guided by love. Don't even waste time figuiring out who loves more. Let's just love the best way we know how.

The discussion about who loves this country the most is rediculous. I don't see many illegial aliens fighting and dying for this country and that's who loves our country the most. The ones doing the fighting and dying for the most part are legal immigrants and citizens.

Illegal immigrants laugh at our laws, our country, and our society. They openly laugh at us for not enforcing our laws and for not catching them doing it.

Most of these people are poor and will do anything to survive. They are taking no chances coming here illegally because we don't enforce our laws. If they are caught the worse thing they face is deportation at our expense. We don't get the law abiding, the educated or the ones with highest moral standards entering our country illegally. My particular area of the country is suffering from increased crime of all kinds and were paying a high price for it.

My son used to work as a carpenter and was a very good one. It's more and more difficult to find work because he doesn't speak spanish and many of the crews he's worked with speak very little english. The majority of the construction and landscaping trade in this area is controlled by spanish speaking people and if you're white or black you don't get hired whether you speak spanish or not. If illegal immigrants were really coming here to do work Americans won't do then the illegals wouldn't be coming here either.

I am more disturbed by the men (and women) who come here and obtain their green cards by "tricking" US citizens into marrying them. As soon as they obtain legal status they usually dump their mates. I've heard it a couple of hundred times now from friends. So, they are masters at selling themselves to become legal. The heartbroken citizen is sometimes bankrupt when it is all over.I didn't see any comments on that.

Americans it is 4th down and inches, we can not afford to drop the ball. Together let fight against this evil, perpetrated by corporations and politicans. The game plan is the United States Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States of America ( WE THE PEOPLE)!!!

I never took the time to decide my views on illegal immigrants until last Thursday. My 20 year old son narrowly escaped having his leg sheered off by a hit & run drunk driver - an illegal immigrant; no license, no insurance. My son's car(his pride & joy-even though its 7 y/o) parked at the curb, was totaled. He worked so hard to save the money for that car! The insurance isn't going to pay enough to replace what he's lost - and the guy's bail wasn't even as much as the deductible on the insurance policy! He's made bail ($370) so I wonder if we'll get any restitution or if he'll disappear.
Drunk driving is horrible from any perspective - but when you have no license, no insurance,no assets with which to make financial restitution, and you're here illegally, that's so wrong. There's no consequence for this "bad behavior".
Finances aside, I live with the terrible thought of almost losing my son.
Even if we don't have all the answers for a full solution to immigration control, we have to start doing something now!

Those who worry about the fate of the English language can rest easy. A study conducted by the Pew Hispanic Center found that 88 percent of second-generation Latino immigrants described themselvs as strong English speakers. That figure increased to 94 percent for the grandchildren's generation. Anyone who has watched struggled in mid-life to learn a foreingn tongue or has watched young children pick up a new language with ease knows well that ownership of a green card does not indicate English proficiency. Children, whether their parents flew legally or illegally from Italy, Poland, Portugal, Germany or crossed the Rio Grande illegally, will learn English quickly. Adults often struggle. Though a romanticized recollection of history has painted a picture of legions of Italians and Poles, Germans and Portuguese who entered the United States through Ellis Island with legal documents, proceeded to English classes and quickly dropped their native tongues, THAT'S NOT THE WAY IT WAS. Through the mid-20th century, there were countless urban neighborhoods where shopkeepers and their customers spoke Italian or Polish or Mandarin. Many American adults had grandparents who never learned English. This nation was built on a history of immigrantion, but it also has a long history of immigrant-bashing. In the late 1700s. Benjamin Franklin was quite disturbed by the "swarm" of immigrants from Germany. President Theodore Rosevelt proposed that "every immigrant who cames here should be required within five years to learn English or leave the country." In 1986, MIT President Francis Walker warned that US. citizenship could be degraded by "the tumultuous access of vast throngs of ignorant and brutalized peasantry from the counties of eastern and southern Europe." It's too bad we've learned so little from our history. Every group of immigrants has assimilated and produced politicians, business owners, lawyers and doctors. Today's vilified immigrants will do the same and yes I think Mr. Kinsley is correct in stating that illegal immigrants have more love for the USA.

Illegal Immigrates (12million send 40 Billion US Dollars to Mexico). Don't Pay Taxes, get All The US benefits immediately(Former service members takes Years, LOTS die,before approved for benefits IE: VA,SSD,SSI or any Gov't). If they want to be here, Like ANY Other Country, Learn/Respect the Law,Language, pay taxes.Be here Legally-> ID,DNA'd,Fingerprinted,etc.<-National Security Problem..60% Car Accidents, Drugs, Thiefs,Stolen Identity,Prison Population, False Employments,ETC..Are DONE By UnRegistered Non-tax stealing Illegal Immigratants..So to Be here,Be here legally, Speak it,Love (Law) or Leave it..If I wanted to speak Spanish, I'd move to Mexico, I DON'T & I Shouldn't Be Forced to..Our Rights as America Tax Paying Handicapped Veteran Unable to Work..want to,STILL DENIED benefits even after 40 surgeries & face death 4 times, spent 23+ Yrs--Army for Our Country.

If Mr. Kinsley and Ms. O'Connor think that today's illegal immigrants are risking more than immigrants of long ago, perhaps they should take a voyage from Europe to the United States in the steerage section of a vessel that was cramped, overcrowded quarters, with little food or water for up to six weeks(that is how long the original voyage took) or two weeks when steam vessels were introduced. Aside from poor ventilation, there was little privacy and the chance of contracting a life threatening disease. Over 12 million people then were processed at Ellis Island before it shut its doors. There, immigrants were given a 6 second medical exam, and had symbols chalked on their clothing indicating whether or not they were fit to enter the US. At this point some families, if they were well off to travel as a family to the US, had to decide what to do when a member was being sent back to Europe. Many traveled here just like the Mexicans do, alone, with the hopes that they could send for other members when they raised enough money. Then there is the issue of discrimination against the Mexicans now, but it was the Irish Catholics and Jews that were discriminated against in the early 19th century. There were, and I have one, signs that said "Irish need not apply" for jobs.
Old immigrants from North western Europe (Germany, France, Ireland) assimilated into this country by learning the language, as did new immigration; South Eastern Europe and Asia (Italy, China, Japan, Russia)...its the Modern Immigrants from Mexico and other Latin American countries who are not trying to assimilate.
Yes, we are a nation of immigrants, which made a melting pot, a blending of cultures, food, religion that made this country great. Not by creating a Salad bowl (the new politically correct terminology) which is little amounts of everything kept separately.
I could go on, but do not even suggest that my ancestors did not risk as much as today's immigrants are risking.
God Bless the United States of AMerica

I cannot believe your attitude. We have reached a point in this country where the influx of undocumented/illegals in this country has put savage load on all the aid programs for low income people. I am in South Texas. Try getting help in the emergency room when its full of illegals who cannot and will not pay the bill. You and I end up paying for these folks with higher taxes, medical bills etc.
Lets talk now about people who cannot even speak the language getting the right to vote. Do you realize the impact when they do not even know the issues? They come here for a better life and lower the standard of living to a point till we become a third world country. It will happen. They already want to give drivers licenses to them. These naive attitudes cheapen the value/worth of American citizenship. Wake up everyone.

Illegals is not the problem but the result of our problem. That problem is our elected rep's. Until we vote them out of office the problem will only get worse. Oh yes--the other part of the big problem is the employers. Send a letter to your rep's don't spend more monies on fences but enforce the working laws on the employers or get out of dodge.

I have just finished chemo and radiation because of cancer. Because I was born in this country, and am unable to afford health insurance, I had to wait 11 months from the date the diagnosis was made until I received treatment. I applied for Soc. Sec. Disability and Medi-Cal, as I am unable to work, as soon as I received my diagnosis. It took them 11 months to finally agree I am Medically Disabled. 3 days to show I am financially poor. The sad part is that if I were not a US citizen my treatment would have probably started in 11 days!?! Illegal immigration is costing this country more than mere dollars...It is also costing lives. Please explain to me how describing illegals as law breaking scum is wrong. As with everyone else in this country my ancestors immigrated to this country LEGALLY. My Grandmother took extreme pride in learning to speak, write, and read english. My Dad still has her notebook and other materials she used in studying this great nation...My Grandparents would have been embarresed and appalled to have been given everything without working for it. The biggest difference is that now illegals feel they deserve to be given anything and everything. That is some difference.....Illegals do not come to become a part of a patriotic population, but for whatever they can get.

How is it fair to just give people everything they need to live a decent life when they have done nothing to earn it? Especially when we have honest people who have worked so very hard to still have no chance at basic government services or easier times. I have just finished chemo and radiation because of cancer. I do not blame the illegals for my health problems...They are, after all, my own. I do, however, blame them for my not having access to better health care in a timely fashion. Because I was born in this country, and am unable to afford health insurance, I had to wait 11 months from the date the diagnosis was made until I received treatment. I applied for Soc. Sec. Disability and Medi-Cal, as I am unable to work, three weeks before I received my diagnosis. MY country wouldn't help me until they were positive I wasn't scamming or lying to them! I have had disabling chronic pain for the past 10 years. It took them 11 months to finally agree I am Medically Disabled. The day I applied they accepted and checked my income to show I am financially poor. The sad part is that if I were not a US citizen my treatment would probably have started within 11 days!?! Illegal immigration is costing this country so much more than mere dollars...It is also costing lives.

Please explain to me how describing illegals as queue-jumping, lawbreaking scum is wrong? As with everyother citizen of this country my ancestors immigrated here LEGALLY. My Grandmother took extreme pride in learning to speak, write, and read english. My Dad still has her notebooks and the materials she used in studying this great nation in order to take her citizenship test. My Grandparents would have been embarrassed and appalled to have been given everything without working for it. The biggest difference is that now illegals feel they deserve to be given anything and everything. That is some difference.....Illegals do not come here to become a part of a patriotic country, but for whatever they can get. How can they possibly "love" the United States when we bow to their every needs by offering free schooling, health care, housing, food stamps, interpreters, and print everything in their language? Most do not fly the American Flag, only "their own" countries flag. So, Please, do not ask me to welcome them when I seriously doubt they even respect us!

In answer to your very angry comments, Mike, wars have been fought for territory for ages. Mexico lost the fight over Texas because Mexico was ruled by an arrogant, self-serving elitist. And nothing much has changed since General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna lost the Battle of San Jacinto in 1836. Mexico's rulers continue to be arrogant, self-serving elitists who care nothing for the people of Mexico and send them across Mexico's border so they will not have to care for their own people. Money illegally earned by illegal aliens continues to be sent across the border. This robs the Ameican people of tax money to fund the benefits given to illegal aliens in the form of health care and education. But it does benefit the Mexican government, which is thoroughly corrupt. So don't start this old, tired business of this was "my country". Check history before you start spouting off.

When my grandparents got off the boat at Ellis Island, the first thing they did was to learn to speak English. They immediately found work and did everything to become a part of this great melting pot. They did this all on their own. They purchased a farm and made it through the Depression by eating off the land and their livestock. They paid for their children's college educations on their own. AND THEY DID ALL OF THIS WITHOUT ANY GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE. They are dead now, but they sure contributed to society in a positive way and they paid their fair share in taxes, too.

I live in a very wealthy area where there are McMansions everywhere costing well over $1 million. Four of those mansions are owned by foreigners. One has 27 cars in the front yard and they have paved over their front yard in order to park all of those cars. They winterized their barn and illegals are living in there, too. The going rate for one room in a basement is $500/month. This Latino owner is making lots of tax-free money by housing so many illegals. Just multiply 10x$500/mth (tax-free), and there are more than 10 illegals living there, so up the monthly $$$. That is more than a lot of Americans make in a year and Americans MUST pay taxes or go to jail. And remember that the illegals do not pay taxes on their income. Across the road is another Latino owner with 10 vehicles in his yard belonging to illegals that he houses in his basement. Again, multiply 10x$500 and, again, tax-free. And across from them is another house with the same thing going on. Down the road is another mansion and owned by an Asian family, but they have three Asian families living there. And do you think yards cluttered with multiple vehicles and junk add to our property values?

What I find amazing is the fact that the County officials know about these illegals and the tax-free income received, but they do nothing. And they jumped my property taxes to $14,000 annual. Also, the County has laws that limit the number of people living in a house and these are gross violations, but the County officials do nothing.

I guess it is okay to break the law in America and make a fortune while doing so, and they don't even go to jail or get deported. No wonder illegals love America. Our Federal, State and local governments are filled with idiots in charge and their inaction is only going to cause the USA to implode, unless something is done.

BTW - my husband and I hired a fellow from Honduras and applied for his green card. After spending $2500 in legal fees, he took off. During his employment, we told him that he needed to learn English to get ahead here in America. He told us that we needed to learn Spanish and that the Latinos were going to take over the United States. We never heard from him again. That should give you an idea of what they think of people who are good to them and what they plan for the USA.

WAKE UP PEOPLE!

This is the most ridiculous article you have ever written - I want to see you go to Mexico with 21 million illegals and see what they do !! Think they would send us home....or worse??

Since seemingly just about anyone from the Mexican border states of BC Norte, Sonora & Chihuahua all hold visas & come across to work legally quite often, it seems that visas are NOT difficult to obtain. The immigration laws were changed and the old 1926 quota system is gone. It really is not that difficult to come here legally, but over 1M each year ignore that fact or pay double the visa fee to coyotes who profit from their ignorance. The truth is there are more than enough visas for those who are willing to come here legally, but those 1M illegals are used to being non-citizens and normally operate under the radar in their home country as well.

i have been reading this blog for some time. i must say i am appalled at the hatred that is evoked by the majority of comments. i am an american citizen, should i also say i am white, have worked all my life, had to do without a lot of times, bare Christmases for my kids sometimes, made to feel like an inferior being when i needed government help, know what it is like to be raised poor, but one thing i have always had is pride. i was raised to be honest, hard working and to help people when they needed it if i could. i was also taught not to think i was better than anyone else but also not to think others were better than me, even if they had more money,a better car, nicer house,clothes. if a person is here illegally, has anyone wondered why? maybe these people have had it worse than we have. ever thought about what their life was like and what they had to endure at home and to get here? oh gee, you would have to think of them as human beings to do that wouldn't you? now call me crazy but these people have as much right to all the free stuff they are being accused of receiving as an american born citizen who refuses to work and is on welfare! oh what, their entitled to it just because they were born here? if anyone thinks the u.s.government is going to send 12 million illegals back to their homeland, forget it. stop and think. if illegals were recognized as an individual who worked, and able to pay taxes would not the whole country be better off? oh lets not forget the argument of we don't want criminals or undesirables here. hello. why do we have so many prisons? are they full of mexicans? i do believe their full of all races. yes i worry about my job disappearing. it could go down south, overseas or anywhere. nothing in life is guaranteed. why does anyone think it is? if everyone thinks sending illegals back to their country would make things a bed of roses for americans maybe we should make everyone on welfare get a job! gee, if they get a job they might lose their food stamps,section 8 housing,medical help. none of which i get because i work for my money. any of you want to jump on the band wagon and discuss how lousy these people are because their using the government and our tax dollars instead of working. bottom line. a person is a human being no matter what their race if their legal or not. if these people had to work and struggle and pay taxes we would all be better off. the debate as what to do should be simple. let any illegal person have a card allowing them to work legally so they can pay taxes and allow them to have some pride that they don't have to worry about being deported, and can get legal insurance to pay for medical bills. at least they could work and pay taxes where as those on welfare don't. seriously folks look at this logically. another point is deadbeat dads and moms. how many of their kids are getting assisstance of some sort? be it medical,housing,lunch programs, or a welfare check. it all comes down to accountability, not a legal issue or status of citizenship. and while americans are at each others throats the politicians are wasting our tax dollars debating these issues. i don't know when enough is enough, but common sense tells us 12 million people are not going to be deported. think of the consequences realistically. the comments mostly was about the negative issues. sure these things happen but what about the white man who was drunk and killed a bunch of kids on a school bus and similar tragedys. these things happen from every race. it doesn't matter if a person can read or not. drunk is drunk. citizen or not. i hope i haven't angered anyone but please put yourself in anothers' shoes when demanding something be done. for every negative there is a positive. you can find good or bad in everyone. thanks

After reading about illegals to legals in this country I would like to say that my grand parents and my father come into this country and worked on the books and got their citizenship the right way. As for my father he served in the war and I'm proud that after he became a citizen he defened this country which his called HIS COUNTRY/HOME. He worked hard like all the Americans did and proud of what he had. Nothing was ginen to him on a silver platter. He put in to the Social Sevurity system for when he retired and for the rest of us hard working people.
Now the Illegals that this goverment lets into this country are reeping the fruits of our labor by bleeding the system of all the monies that we put in, that I mean buy Social security disability, medicare, and I would bet on it that the high utility bills pay for those who sit back and have their bills paid by the system.
I think that this goverment should put setrictor regulations on these people and let only a certin amount of alliens into this country not just from Mexico but those who sneek in from Canada as well.That is why the American dollar is getting weeker by the day. In closing I would like to say when thse people who come into this country should lear to speek our language well enought to be understood and not pushing there language and cluture down our throats.
REMEMBER PRESS 1 FOR SPANISH 2 FOR CHINESE,3 FOR 1 FOR HINDU,4 FOR PAKASTAIN ANDS SO FORTH

This is a really, really complicated issue and there will have to be compromises made on both sides.

A lot of people make judgments just by looking at someone and think they know what those people are and what they are doing.

Just by looking, how do you know they come from Mexico? How do you know how long they've been here and if they are trying to learn English?

As far as I know from having known a couple of illegals that these particular people got taxes deducted from their wages and they never applied for things like unemployment or disability because they were here illegally.

From having worked in the school system I know that the second generation always wants to know how to speak English and usually does. There are so many waves of new immigrants that it appears as if they are not learning English but that's not necessarily true.

Unfortunately, it seems like newer immigrants come from the lower income and lower educational class so therefore it is a little harder for them to blend in like everyone wants them to. This does not mean they are not hard workers. In fact everyone I know of personally is working really hard one way or another to be part of America. They like America but want to keep their identity too and I don't see anything wrong with that. Why do we all have to be alike?

What cracks me up is that the only immigrant I've known that hated the U.S. was a German lady that's been here for at least 50 years. She can't stop putting America down. My mom always asks her if she's so anti-America and so pro-Germany why doesn't she go back?

Guess what, I'm an American citizen but a first generation Mexican immigrant who came here legally with my parents. They came for a more interesting life. They didn't have to come for monetary reasons because my dad came from a family of professional people. I frankly think our life would have been easier in Mexico. Have you all noticed that I know how to speak and write English? My father and mother were hard workers, they never asked for government hand-outs. They learned how to speak English.

My family and I have always been involved in voluntary community organizations and events for the betterment of our city. We have participated in Graffiti paint-outs, city clean-ups, etc., etc., etc. So don't tell me that Mexican immigrants just come here to abuse America!!

And another thing...... What about all the many non-citizen Mexicans that have fought and died in the wars for America? I don't know if illegals got drafted but I know non-citizens have always been drafted. They could have run back across the border but didn't. Unlike a lot of U.S. born Americans who went to Canada.

One more thing........Everyone has the right to think what they want about illegals but for many it's not just the illegal thing that bugs them.... Lots of people use that forum just because they hate to see that there are so many Hispanics in the U.S.......They hate change and don't want to give up that 1950's ideal of the Cleavers or Ozzie and Harriet. Of that all white community. Instead of seeing the influence of Hispanics as something interesting to add to their life, they see it as some evil alien presence where they are going to be forced to do things against their will.....Come on give me a break! They don't realize that Hispanics want the same things in life like they do.

"They hate change and don't want to give up that 1950's ideal of the Cleavers or Ozzie and Harriet. Of that all white community."

And another thing, Thelma...You're a bigot.

Leave race out of it.

OOOOHH THE IGNORANCE ON MANY COMMENTS,FILLED ON TOP WITH HATE AND A RIDICULUS SENSE OF SUPERIORITY. THEY SHOULD READ HISTORY AND UNDERSTANTAN THAT EMPIRES RISE AND FALL, THEY MAY LAST MANY YEARS,SOMETIMES CENTURIES, BUT THEY ARE NOT ETERNAL. TODAY U.S.A. IS ON TOP, AND ALL HUMANS HAVE THE WILL TO MOVE TO WHERE THE POSIBILITIES FOR BETTER LIFE IS, THATS A FACT! SO THEY COME HERE. TOMORROW PERHAPS OUR GRAND CHILDREN WILL BE STROGOLING TO SURVIVE AS "ALIENS" (ILLIGAL OR NOT)IN CHINA, INDIA OR VENEZUELA, THE SAD PART IS THAT ALWAYS IS GOING TO BE SOMEBODY THERE WHO THINKS THAT HE IS SUPERIOR BECAUSE HE OR SHE WERE BORN IN THE RIGH PLACE AND THE RIGHT TIME.

It ALWAYS comes down to the almighty dollar- greedy business, Liberal politicians quick to give away what is not theirs to give-yet rake in the perks of doing basically nothing, a less than minimal work week. Those is our xlg government need to listen to real Americans and step off their high horses - send YOUR kids to public school, be aggrevated by RUDE adults too lazy to learn English. Everyone I know is sick and tired while we lose our constitutionsl rights, they reap our rewards and we're supposed to kiss their butts. Awful hard to teach your kids Christian values .You are all correct WHAT CAN WE DO ABOUT THIS INVASION?!!?? and not be considered an extremist, nazi, communist? They wonder why average Joe goes postal....

Immigrants. Illegal immigrants. A word was added. This word flames your negative images towards people that you have used to work for you directly, by hiring them or by sponsoring your local diner where the cook, who might be illegal has prepared your food. Unknowingly or not you too sponsor the flood of minimum wages flowing into the lating american countries. Lossing the battle folks. Don't get so rashed because someone finally wrote an article that made your head hurt because a thought was born.

all of the alien, illegals need to pay taxes.
not get any from our tax money. not draw full ss cks
never pay any taxes plus live overseas not even ever
have payed anything into the fund.sorry but go home.

After reading so many comments, it's obvious there are a large number of US citizens who have accepted that an illegal alien is a "CRIMINAL". Do they the US, who cares? If the government stopped giving them benefits, i.e. education, health care, food stamps, etc., then maybe those families who were born and raised here could afford to have a descent life condition. My property taxes are outrages because of the need for educational facilities to make room for the hundred of thousand illegal children attending school here. Should we allow the illegal aliens to pay a fine before allowing them to apply for resident immigrant status? Only if it's 50K plus per person to include each of the roach children they have no matter how young. Can't afford it? Then go back to your country, learn english, apply for a visa to enter the US, pay the fees, taxes you owe for all the money you earned while living in the US illegally. Compensate the families for the damaged vehicles, damaged property, loss of life, and physical harm for criminal acts you committed under our loves, and then maybe, and I mean MAYBE, we'll let you back in the US. Why do I have to push "1" for english every place I call that has an automated system? English is the national accepted language, yet we are accommodating illegal aliens' failure to learn to read, speak and write english. Can't read, go back to Mexico, El Salvador, Chile' or whatever country you snaked across the US border from. If the US Government and employers stopped making it easy for those who only speak spanish, maybe they would go home. I don't see or hear of forms being in French, German, Japanese, Chinese, etc. Only spanish. I refused to learn spanish, and when they start speaking english only and have written forms in all those Central and South American countries, then maybe I'll learn spanish. (never going to happen) Do these illegal aliens have rights? Yes, in their OWN COUNTRY!!!! Go home, and stop draining my US resources!

100% correct. New immigrants whether legal or ilegal are inmersed in the culture faster as the communications and education is available to them. We need to see ourselves in the mirror of the European Union who happen to be more welcoming to immigrants and results are showing in their economy. Just look at the currency! Europe's population had been declining dramatically so the laws and attitudes of the general population had to change... So much for us to learn yet. And for our legislators to be brave and do what is best for our country.

Boy, where did this guy come from...I have been a contractor and sub. for many years now, it's a disgrace to see these construction company's hire ILLEGALS over American workers and to see how they build house's etc...Hell I don't think they know how to plumb anything, read a tape measure etc...and by the way I am A MEX-AM..I had to leave this Construction Business because of not being able to compete anymore, as I'm sure alot of other people...house's etc are being build with shoddy craftsmanship etc...these so called elected officials are a DAMN DISGRACE to this country as is this Administration...I tell alot of Illegals to go back..they bring in crime, drugs,etc..rape our system,make a bad name for the rest of us that are citizens...they want everything for nothing

I pity you guys spewing all your hateful venom. It just shows what a awful life you must be living to have to blame all your woes on illegal aliens.

Question what if some one steal from you what is that? what if some one breaks out of prison in any country and come to the U.S. If an legal U.S. citzen do any thing that is ILLGEAL,and is caught he will be punish,just because their are so many muders rapiest and other crimanals we do not set them free or re write the law for them. people from all over the world would love to make America their home because this is a Great place in which we live however we can't simply take on the whole world just because they are hard workers. The people that blew up the twin Towers on 911 were very hard workers think about that.

As I was cleaning out my email I found this again, and decided to comment although much after the date of publication. I am disappointed that you would waste space on this article. First, to select Kinsley as your "thought leader" is a waste of time. Second, as a "professionals" website, you don't need to be advocating for a particular poli