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Bush has stated that the "Guest Worker" plan is only the first step to granting them full citizenship. He said it, not me. Previous "guest worker" programs such as the Bracero program that was tried in Texas years ago ended in dismal failure because the folks coming over as "guest workers" wouldn't go home when their legitimate time was up. It is a misnomer and sheer marketing spin to label this as a guest worker program. Tom Ridge has further defined the illegals' status after registering for the amnesty (whatever) as a "permanent second-class citizen". CITIZEN, not guest worker. Not illegal immigrant with official documents. Parse the words because this is, after all, politicalspeak. An ACLU lawsuit can upgrade that status to full citizenship in about a nanosecond. Our Constitution doesn't recognize classes of citizens, it recognizes citizens and non-citizens.

The issue is still not one of semantics, however. It is two very distinct issues: the rule of law in America and the value of citizenship. If we want America to be the best nation there is, we aren't going to get there or maintain our status by giving citizenship away. Citizenship that was important enough for you to jump through all of the hoops to obtain, BTW. That is what lies underneath all of this. This plan, has been advocated by Vicente Fox and is being written by John McCain. Remember John McCain? The same McCain of McCain-Feingold fame that eroded our 1st Amendment rights.

McCain doesn't value American citizenship and wants to take an eraser to the borders and just let anyone come here. IF Bush's plan included something about sealing the border after this amnesty plan is enacted, I might get onboard. But sealing the border is the LAST thing that either Bush or Ridge want. Both men are notoriously soft on illegal immigration.

But, America is noted as being a nation operated by the rule of law. LAW, Futureceo31, NOT the rule of man. It has been a distinguishing feature of this nation for more than 200 years. The fact that these people are called "illegal immigrants" tells you something about their respect for our rule of law. By extension of that logic, then, if ignoring the law is beneficial for one segment of our society, think how terrific it's going to be when we ALL decide to ignore the rule of law. If it's good for one, it's good for all.

Instead of calling them illegal immigrants, let's say they are all rapists (it's an example; I'm not impugning their character). 10 million rapists who have been tried and convicted in a court of law and escaped. 10 million convicted rapists all living among us, around our families, wives, sisters, daughters, children. And, one day, out of the blue the president (any president; doesn't have to be Bush) says "Ya know, we can't catch and imprison these 10 million rapists that were tried and convicted and escaped so, if they will just register with us, we will pardon their crime and they can live as free men again." Sound like a deal? Will this make America better? Safer? More law-abiding?

If it's good for one segment of society, it has to be good for all of society. In the 10 years following Reagan's amnesty in 1986, the 3 million illegals upon whom was conferred citizenship proceded to consume $79 Billion worth of social services, healthcare and safety net programs. Services they didn't pay for because they didn't earn enough to pay taxes. At the same time, they have negatively impacted our schools, our taxes and our healthcare systems; costs that are passed on to you and me. Even Reagan admitted afterward that the amnesty plan was a mistake. With Bush's plan, multiply that $79 Billion by 4 and add 25% for inflation and government waste/fraud.

As someone who chose the legal route, I'm glad you're here to help build on the dream of America left to us by our Founders. The difference between you and these illegals is stark, beginning with the route each of you chose to get here. For many illegals, citizenship isn't even a goal. Most Mexicans consider the southwestern US as territory that still belongs to Mexico and they refuse to honor our borders; the borders of a sovereign nation. 10 million illegal immigrants equals an invasion of enormous proportions.

So, we have been invaded by an army of 10 million people whom, you claim, can't be deported and can't hold white collar jobs. Both of your statements are incorrect. There is NOTHING preventing an illegal from holding a white collar job - NOTHING unless it is for a defense contractor. And, there is no reason why they can't be deported. We have massive books of immigration law that contradict that statement. They don't belong here, they have no right to be here and they should be sent home; NOT given a prize for breaking our laws.