[Jim Robinson]

"Moreover, the Martinez-Hagel plan would pave the way for an estimated 103 million persons to legally immigrate to the U.S. over the next 20 years -- fully one-third of the current population of the United States. Current law allows 19 million legal immigrants over the next 20 years. The Martinez-Hagel plan would add an extra 84 million legal immigrants to that number."

Moreover, 103 million is the approx total population of Mexico. I don't think they'll all be migrating to the US. That said, I don't like the idea of increasing the immigration quotas. Beefing up the borders, enforcing the law, encouraging the illegals to leave (deporting where necessary), etc, will bring the numbers down over time. If there ever is a genuine labor shortage (seasonal agricultural work for example) temporary laborers can be brought in for a specified period. When the job is done, they should be sent home.

[umgud]

Mexico has a declining birthrate, just as we do. This may not change the current wave of illegals, but in 20 years Mexico will be competing to get people back. They won't have excess people in 20 years to flood us with.

[redfog]

I think the 103 million estimate refers to legal immigrations from all countries, not just Mexico - could that be the difference?

[oldbill]

It's not only Mexico. For example, the hundreds of thousands in the Maryland - Virginia area are mostly from El Salvador, the rest of Central America, Bolivia and Peru. There is no shortage of immigrants available to make the 103 million.

The numbers are bad enough. What is not addressed because of fears of "racist" labels is that the 103 million will be mono-cultural. Even in our peak European migration, the cultures were diverse andcould only survive in a true melting pot where no culture dominated.

[Cyropaedia]

Uh Jim....the 103 million that Rector is talking about include immigrants from all over the world not just Mexico.