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Your post is a good one. You make a compelling case and I agree with you in part on all of your points except your population and loyalty argument.

We do need to control our borders. It is a harder task to catch a dozen potential terrorists crossing our border when millions of workers are crossing the same border in the dead of night. I want illegal immigration stopped.

Even if we could magically prevent anyone else from crossing illegally we still have 15 million undocumented illegals in the USA now. I think Dubya's guest worker program will document some of the illegals already here, and will reduce demand for illegals by filling those jobs with legal guest workers.

I believe the US is looked at by too many people of the world today as a place that can be taken advantage of. They are probably right, but I intend to do my part to see that change. Our government should be concerned with the people that are its citizens first.

I agree. Ultimately the best method of preventing illegals coming here and leeching off the welfare system is to eliminate the welfare system, but too many American born leeches are pointing the finger at illegals and saying "these people are limiting my free ride." I see illegal immigration as a distraction in this case.

I believe illegal immigration is a problem for many of the reason you state...crime, security, expense, and the terrible destruction of property in border communities. I don't think it can be solved by protecting the border alone. I believe a major reason why illegal immigration is tolerated is because our current immigration quotas do not meet the needs of business. Unless this factor is included in the equation the solution will elude us. When immigration reflects our labor needs some illegal immigration will stop because there will be no jobs to fill, but I do agree that stronger border patrol and penalties for businesses who continue to hire illegals will be needed to deter future illegal entry.

I appreciate your honest, rational, and thoughtful post. You add credit to your side with it.

"I believe a major reason why illegal immigration is tolerated is because our current immigration quotas do not meet the needs of business."

I wonder if the quotas do not meet the needs of business or if some of the quotas are being abused by business. For example, the H1-B visa program is supposed to be used to help fill techical and professional positions where there is a lack of skills here in the US. I see too many computer programmers brought here under the H1-B while we have white collar workers (with the same or superior skills) being laid off.

I agree that businesses must be held accountable for hiring undocumented workers. However, we must also consider that if all workers are documented and compensated according to US and state laws, we will pay more for services and goods. Not too mention the drain that may occur when more people take advantage of available government programs.

Thanks for the response.

Have you heard of the welfare program SSI?

I bring that program up because it is a favorite target by immigrant groups. All someone needs to do is claim an "injury" that causes a "disability," such as hypertension or back trouble, and they can collect a check from the government. Also, a friend of mine who works in manufacturing in California tells me of the widespread use of workmans' comp for "stress", almost all of his employees have been from Mexico.

Perhaps a lot of these abuses are done by ordinary Americans, but what my research has shown me is that word travels fast amongst foreigners who come here specifically for the welfare benefits. You and I may not know of many of these programs, but you'd better believe the illegals and many legal immigrants are well versed on how the suck the most out of our system.

I would like to see the entire process slow down, allow us a little time for evaluation and to curtail many of the expenses that are solely a result of massive immigration.