[Harmless Teddy Bear]

However, they had SEVENTEEN YEARS to gain normal legal status in the US, just like all the others.

That is why I am not feeling their pain.

If they had wanted to become citizens they had multiple chances.

They wanted to keep their options open. Well, this is what happens.

[rlmorel]

Exactly. That is the way I read it. They wanted to keep their options open, and nobody was forcing their hand.