[kabar]

The Irish did pretty well mastering the language before they got here.

[Othniel]

In the past, immigrant waves included large groups of educated people or people who had a marketable skill, be it tailoring, butchering, or building. There were also checks in place to see that those with criminal pasts were denied entry. Nowadays, the illegals who skulk in have no marketable skills, and no language other than Spanish (or whatever). Many are criminals, and they commit crimes against us because their own gvt. didn't want to keep them. My own solution would be to cut services, prosecute those who hire them, and deport any and all that are found without proper documentation.

[aruanan]

The Irish did pretty well mastering the language before they got here.

Yes, but they did have to sober up before anyone could understand them. Incidentally, the Irish as a group were one of the ethnic groups with the slowest economic rise in the U.S. because so many of them chose to rely on government apparatus to attain societal position. Blacks were one of the fastest rising ethnic groups, until the 1960s, after which their ascent slowed dramatically. Again, due to dependence on government.