I agree depriving them of govt welfare will help...that is a states issue and we see how well that is working for current citizens.
Securing the border will solve a LOT of the problems of illegals already here because once they go home ( and many do go back and forth), many will be gone.
Come on....do you really think the bulk of them would be stupid enough to cross a one-way international border?
And what makes you think that we can make the southern border impenetrable anyway? I know how to do it (as does everyone else reading here), but our government doesn't have the willpower to implement such measures.
On top of that, no matter how strong the defense, some will always find a way to get through. The real answer is to turn off the magnet that is drawing them here to begin with. Take away the welfare benefits and the jobs, and they'll leave on their own, never to return.
The most maddening thing about the whole issue, is that that approach precisely aligns with the laws already on our books. All it takes is honest enforcement, and the problem is solved. This really isn't complicated. Those who wish to see the status quo continued, are making it so.