[Clairity]

"as long as we demonstrate the will to address the obstacles to it. An open border means poverty has given way to opportunity, and Mexico's citizens do not feel compelled to cross the border to find that opportunity."

IOW -- he is telling Fox to get his act together and get the Mexican economy going, so the Mexicans won't leave Mexico to come to the US in search of a better life, that the "open border" is contingent on not having hordes of people from Mexico coming here illegally.

[ansel12]

so the Mexicans won't leave Mexico to come to the US in search of a better life

That is impossible, America will always mean a better life than Mexico, even after we become Mexican, the Northern section will still be better than the Southern.

By the way, once the border is "open", then there won't be anymore illegality.

[Windflier]

I've got to give you points for trying, Clairity, but if you have to work this hard to explain Perry's every deviation from conservative principles, I don't give your candidate much hope.