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I guess what I am trying to understand is that many Hispanics who are obviously American seem to sympathize or defend the illegals from Mexico. Is the allegiance to Mexico or to the common language?

I don't think it's based on allegiance to a particular country or to a common language. I think the reason for sympathy with illegal aliens is mostly economic. Employers--be they Hispanic or not--want to be able to pay low wages for manual labor (e.g. yard work, roofing). Illegal aliens make this possible.

Those who are not employers yet are Hispanic have often come into contact with hard-working illegal aliens who they believe are more "deserving" of the American dream than many native-born Americans. For example, is there any question that illegal aliens who cut grass and trim trees for 10 hours a day are more diligent in work than are many in the inner city whose aspiration is to be on "Disability" or in rural areas who cook up meth? After all, being an illegal alien is a status offense--like truancy--whereas it takes a slothful intent to make one's goal in life to be on Disability.

One of my best friends dad is Mexican (American 100%) and his mom Korean (I think dad met mom from army days). He doesn't speak Spanish except the broken Spanish he learned from the guys on his crew. Would he be considered Hispanic by Hispanic guys?

I'd consider him Hispanic by ethnicity, regardless of his ability to speak Spanish. I don't know about other guys. It's not so much a racial thing as it is ethnic and geographical: If you come from an area originally colonized by Spain or Portugal (i.e. the nations on the Iberian Peninsula), I'd consider you Hispanic regardless of race. Note that under my definition, if your Australian is born in Mexico to Australian parents, I'd still consider him Hispanic. Moreover, Filipinos would be considered Hispanic under my definition as well, even though they are often classed as "Pacific/Asian Islanders" by federal, state, and local governments.

Those who are not employers yet are Hispanic have often come into contact with hard-working illegal aliens who they believe are more "deserving" of the American dream than many native-born Americans. For example, is there any question that illegal aliens who cut grass and trim trees for 10 hours a day are more diligent in work than are many in the inner city whose aspiration is to be on "Disability" or in rural areas who cook up meth? After all, being an illegal alien is a status offense--like truancy--whereas it takes a slothful intent to make one's goal in life to be on Disability.

I agree with your sentiment and I personally know guys who are illegals. I have barbecued with them and their families,drank beer and joked with them and know they are good workers. My white friend who was their boss before they got deported (caught by a game warden shooting deer on someones property with two other illegals, they're already back though) really wishes he could rehire them.

I also know that 29% of the federal prison population is illegals and and have been a foreman over illegals and those w/ green cards who took home more pay than me. Oh they made less but once you claim 15 kids back home in Mexico it doesn't matter that your foreman worked 10 more hours at a higher wage but takes less home. That doesn't seem right either.

I also have a problem that Americans who's ancestors came from Mexico seem to side with these guys, sure many are good guys but the allegiance to the race rather than the country seems odd. Why can't these guys just be processed, given work visas, be documented and show proof of a job in the US waiting for them? Why can't they do it the right way?