Agreed. The biggest mistake we made was having the fence bill signed before the election. It gave the Dems cover, even Hillary voted for it. Bush and McCain neutered the issue for Reps and prevented us from drawing bright lines on the differences between the parties. I see it as a very divisive issue among Reps in the runup to 2008.
No matter what bill is signed for "comprehensive immigration reform," the problem is not going away. It will be a case of what the politicians and MSM say and what our lying eyes see. ERs will still be closing, schools overcrowded, prisons filling up, and medicaid payments and other social costs burgeoning. The issue is not going away. If we have an economic downturn, it will get worse as Americans see illegals taking away jobs. The increase in the minimum wage will make illegals more attractive. Stay tuned.
We have a tough two years no matter what, if the President tries to go for massive immigration reform before the entire border is adequately fenced the country will not be well served IMHO.