"No one can seem to give an honest, informed, straightforward representation of what can be done to remove the illegals from this country and what this would entail in cost. We can sit here and say "Well they should just stop spending on X, Y or Z," but that's unrealistic, especially with our current congress, which is spending like drunken sailors. And as this article points out, thanks to our wonderful government of some years ago, anyone born here is a citizen and thus their parents have a toehold."
Let's start with enforcing the laws that give the government the right to audit employers'I-9 documentation and checking out businesses that are likely to hire low-end workers, like meat-packing plants and agribusinesses. That's what the departments have been funded for and DON'T do because Congress stops it when big business squeals.
Second, if you're not happy with the costs that would result for those businesses, guess what? Capitalism says you can stop buying what they produce. OSHA, EPA, and DOL regs drive up manufacturers' costs, but nobody seems to care about them!
Your argument boiled down is "Money talks and we shouldn't enforce the law until we can afford it." My argument is that law oughta mean what it says and be enforced as it's written. I think in America, my argument ought to win. Especially on a conservative board. That it probably won't is proof our government is worth every penny Tyson and ADM have paid for it.
I said pretty blatantly that I don't HAVE an argument; I'm looking for rational and workable plans. Thanks for contributing your thoughts.