[Finny]

The illegal immigration problem is a symptom, not a cause. It's happening because of economics, and that's where the solution is going to be. I'm all for fences and enforcement of the laws, but it's also true that all the fences and laws in the world will ultimately fail except in making illegals more innovative.

The problem is a current state of an always-fluctuating market, and if you ask me, I'd bet overregulation of businesses is probably more to blame for the resulting illegal workers. Illegal Mexicans are a symptom.

Take the gruesome job of meatpacking. The majority of Americans are probably much too finicky to hack animal carcases for a living, as they see it, even if it earns them a decent living.

Illiegal immigration ala cheaper workers is not a pressing make-or-break issue compared to terrorism and the U.S.'s place in a dynamic and violent world. Sure, terrorists find it easier to sneak in under lax immigration laws, but it's an entirely different kind of immigration issue than illegal Mexicans, and a hell of a lot more important!

[Mojave]

The majority of Americans are probably much too finicky to hack animal carcases for a living

Really? I used to know Americans who gladly did that kind of work.

[JRochelle]

I read somewhere that 20 years ago the average pay per hour in a meatpacking plant was around 19.00 per hour.

Now its about 9.00.
All due to illegal workers.
Americans will do that work if the pay is enough. As far as prices, I sure haven't seen beef prices going down, even though employers are spending so much less on wages.

An example of jobs where illegals haven't brought the wages down yet is miners. One of the worst jobs ever. But American men and women do it every day because the pay is decent.

[taxed2death]

".....all the fences and laws in the world will ultimately fail..."

Strange remark. The areas where fences are erected have noticed a measurable decline in illegal crossings.