Hello Mary Anne, you have given me a lot to think about. I am ambivalent about this right now, feeling in part that we are closing the barn door after the horse has escaped. While not unsympathetic to the plight of the immigrants (mostly Mexicans in my mind, for the border problem w/Mexico is the main thrust of this problem), I guess I think a little more "hard nosed" about this. The problem doesn't lie with the families that have been here for years, settling down and making a life for their family, I feel it is with the ones who come in and go out at will - how do we know who's here? We need their cheaper labor, true, but feel everyone would be better off if they were "legal".

I've had two experiences myself with this, one working with gals who come in to work and send money back. I've seen them work 12-hour days and then hunker down, go to night classes to learn the language, study and become citizens.

Then one company I worked for hired only illegals for their machine shop. These men had multiple names, addresses, etc. They collected money under several names, sending some back to Mexico. They all went back to Mexico during the summer company shutdown and returned in the fall. When the company dissolved, it took us years to figure out the actual number of workers and names to pay out the "severance" pay, which was a joke. (I know, this sounds fishy and it was, but I worked in the office and don't know how this came about. The company obviously didn't play by the rules.)

Along with most people, my family "immigrated" to this country (1865), going through Ellis Island; poor, some just children, most not speaking English. Few sat around waiting for the government to hand them goodies, most went out and found a job, learned the language and ultimately gained their citizenship. Why now, are immigrants "entitled" to all the goodies of this great land without becoming citizens? Yes, from what you say it isn't easy, but no one ever said it would be easy. If you want to come here, come here. And welcome! But before you come make up your mind to join the club, legally.

Betsy
MHO