Welfare is one part of the demand side of the problem -- the other part being that Americans hire illegals to work for them. Either way, the fact is that illegals come across the border, because Americans are paying them to come across the border.
It's rather surprising to me how many folks only look at the supply side of the problem, and ignore the demand side.
I guess it's a visceral thing -- it seems more satisfying, somehow, to fight the symptom rather than the real cause.
I appreciate your reasoned approach to this discussion -- it's a breath of fresh air.
Thanks for your reply.
I honestly don’t see what doing away with birthright citizenship does to help without actually securing the borders. It’s a capitulation more than anything else.
You are admitting that you have failed to secure the border, and that you cannot secure the border.
You want to prevent illegal immigrants from getting in the first place. Then you want to discourage them from coming. Tackle the demand and the access issues, and most of the problem goes away.