Did Janet Reno tear apart Elian's (extended) family, or not? I think she did - I was against that too, and I suspect most Freepers were - well, I think my government should not be tearing apart other families even if one or both parents are illegal immigrants. There has to be another solution - did you see my compromise above?
No, she sent the kid back with his Dad, which is where he belonged. Furthermore, Mexico is not Cuba.
The costs of illegal immigration are not simply $$$ signs. It's much more complicated that that and it is not even quantifiable. I can't put a price on the Mexicanization of the United States, with all that entails. For an illustration of what I'm talking about, see Mexico itself, and ask yourself if you want the US to gradually turn into that country. If so, save the rest of us the agony and just go to Mexico now.