[Jorge]

The whole appeal to hiring an illegal is that he is "off the books" and willing to work at below market wage and without benefits.

Sorry, but I know illegals who make MORE money than their US counterparts, because they are harder workers.

And the fact is MANY Americans are hired "off the books" for the same reasons..because it is mutually beneficial to both parties...the workers don't have taxes taken out of their pay.

[Revel]

"Sorry, but I know illegals who make MORE money than their US counterparts, because they are harder workers."

Something tells me that you are very very close to one of these folks. So close that you can't get away from them.

I know I would like the job you are talking about. Where do I apply?

[FastCoyote]

"And the fact is MANY Americans are hired "off the books" for the same reasons..because it is mutually beneficial to both parties..."

So, you are ok with everyone hiring "off the books?"

Actually, your posts have been pretty reasonable. Truthfully, I don't have a problem with someone who is willing to jump through rather stiff guest worker hoops. The few that would do so would really want to be citizens.

But a sizeable percentage of the horde of illegals I know don't care to become legal if it isn't given to them. So while I suspect SOME would sign up for guest worker, an important question no one is addressing is what percentage actually would? If it is only 20%, then the problem still exists.