I've been holding my fire on this issue (for the most part), because it's easy to get it wrong when there's so much emotion involved. I'm guessing I'll get some flaming, but these are my honest feelings on the matter, and it's taken a lot of soul-searching. That said, this is what I gather of this entire mess:
1) We have at least ten million undocumented workers.
2) We can't generalize them as "criminals" in the sense of terrorists who come here to harm people and property. What they are doing is illegal, but the human spirit cannot be corraled (see "fall of USSR"). And from what I can see (and I don't profess to be the authority on it), MOST undocumented workers are here because they want a better life for their families. Of course there are legitimately criminal forces in the mix, but those people will always find a way in (see "9/11 terrorists"), whether or not we deport those who are not here to harm us.
3) If we profess to be pro-life, pro-family, we shouldn't devalue these people because they did what was obviously best for their families while our government knowingly -- KNOWINGLY let them come in. Here's a gut-check --> How do we feel about the unborn children of pregnant illegal immigrants? Do we punish the child by withholding assistance to the undocumented woman? Do we think, "no loss", if she decides to get an abortion? The answer shouldn't be difficult.
4) We can't deport twelve million people. They're here. They're woven into the economy. As unfair as it is to those who are waiting LEGALLY, the blame ultimately lies with the government not fulfilling its duty to protect our borders. This would be the equivalent of arresting everyone who ever downloaded something from Napster - it was wrong - it was technically criminal - but no one chose to enforce it. Are we all criminals anyway? Or does unwillingness to enforce give license to otherwise well-meaning people to "break the law"? (Who here doesn't speed? I know it's not a great analogy, but the essence of what takes place is similar)
5) Someone is hiring these people. Again, it's against the law, but the government chooses NOT to enforce the law - for political and economic reasons, in all likelihood. If the government enforced the law and the job pool dries up, the impetus to come here will slow considerably.
6) It is our sovereign right to seal our borders. Our government has CHOSEN not to do so. This can and must be done. If it means building a WALL, then BUILD A WALL.
"Up to" 6000 National Guard troops is a band aid on a gaping head wound. No one, it seems, but the White House, believes this is going to make a difference.
7) It is our sovereign right to legislate a national language. ENGLISH. We need to assimilate the people who are here. Congress has the power to do this, and the ACLU can pound sand.
8) Worker amnesty is actually employer amnesty. Again, if the workers are criminals, so are the employers. Where's the outcry against the people enabling this migration? Scapegoating the worker and giving a pass to the employer is like criminalizing the drug addict while legitimizing the dealer.
9) It appears that George W. Bush has given up his presidency. He needed a powerful statement followed up with powerful, decisive action (read: WALL), and instead he's proposing two-week office jobs and plenty of nightlife in Nogales and Tijuana. No bite, no resolve.
So, I'm willing to believe that there is a place for the people who are already here by our government's negligence in protecting our borders. I believe that, whether we like it or not, we have a moral duty to help the poor - especially those who are working and contributing their labor to the economy. We have enough actual citizens who are doing nothing and suckling the government pap. At least these people are breaking a sweat.
BUT
We need to seal the frickin' border, and do it with some decisiveness. In other words, NO MORE.
ULTIMATELY
The government sold us out. They sold us out by not securing the border, and they sold us out by giving employers a free pass. As easy as it is to scapegoat the immigrant, in reality, it's the fool who spreads honey all over his body and complains that he's covered in ants.
1)"undocumented workers?"
Okay, first they're not "undocumented works" and they're not "illegal immigrants"; they are illegal aliens...there is a HUGE difference.
2)they are not felonious "criminals" by crossing the border but they are "criminals"
3) if someone enters your home uninvited, do you say "well since you are here you go ahead and stay ad infinitum" or do you show them the door?
4) "We can't deport twelve million people."
Well according to GWB, we have already deported SIX MILLION.
So either W is not telling the truth or all we need to do is double the effort!
5)" If the government enforced the law and the job pool dries up, the impetus to come here will slow considerably."
Hopefully, but just so we don't suffer the same consequences from 1986;
we should seal the border and since MS13 is looking for recruits,
DEPORT 'EM ALL!
6) I concur.
7)"We need to assimilate the people who are here."
Only those who are here LEGALLY!
The rest need to be shown the door.
8) I concur again.
9) And I concur again.