[summer]

Not amnesty, but attrition. First, start enforcing our border laws. Second, crack down on businesses hiring illegals so that it's as unpleasant as possible to live here illegally.

I was about to nod off here, but I think what you said here summarizes part of what I am trying to say, too.

If the USA right now said, "that's it, no more illegals in our country period," and the eligible illegals (those without criminal records and not from terrorist nations) already working here have "X" number of months to become legal or leave, the numbers would drop. Any illegal knowing he or she would be subjected to this data base upon working anywhere might think twice about wanting to come here, since now it would involve actually committing to becoming a citizen in X amount of time, or, be deported.

I heard on the radio once this interview with some undocumented workers who have been here for something like 19 years, and they said they have no interest whatsoever in GW's "guest worker" plan because of all the restrictions - same employer for 3 years, etc. They said they were planning on remaining illegal. Yet, they spoke English well, they have been here, and are working - why aren't people like that trying to become citizens?

[MegaSilver]

Hmm... good points.

But ANY kind of amnesty needs to be accompanied by a crackdown on our borders.

What's more, the government has appeared to promise to enforce its anti-hiring laws in the past, but backed down due to pressure from the left. That's the real reason I'm against an amnesty: they need to prove that they'll enforce the laws we have before we make the system even more complex.