doesn't necessarily make it a good idea. Back in 1986, Reagan signed the Immigrant Reform and Control Act that allowed amnesty for illegal immigrants and tightened restrictions on employers. The idea allowed large numbers of people who'd been living here illegally to apply for permanent resident status, the first step to become a naturalized citizen.

Illegal immigration is a hot button issue. Some people oppose all immigration while most are opposed to illegal immigration. Even the liberal Brooking Institution has published opinion articles stating amnesty for illegal immigrants is not a good idea.

I'm a strong supporter in legal immigration. My wife is a naturalized citizen. She came here legally on a student visa. Eventually, my two stepsons also came to America. Both of them served in the military (the youngest has been in the Navy for over 8 years) and the youngest one is a naturalized citizen. His wife is a legal immigrant and will become a citizen in a few years. Likewise, many of my friends and neighbors are legal immigrants. Quite a few of them are business owners who're creating jobs and opportunity. They're among the hardest working people I've ever known and the living embodiment of the American Dream.

As this page shows, the US has passed quite a few immigration laws over the years.

On the other side of the issue, my wife recently interviewed a young Filipina Nurse's Aid who came to America on an H1B visa. It seems the group that sponsored her admission misrepresented the job, then demanded $10,000 to release her from the contract. The money was paid but she may now be here illegally through no fault of her own. She's now working with an immigration lawyer to find out what her options are. Her H1B visa expires at the end of next month so time is definitely a factor.