As far as 'doing something' about the problem, how about we remove incentives for illegals flowing in? No ER primary care, no anchor babies, no jobs, no access to taxpayer funded amenities, etc etc.
The problem is OVER. Fixed. Solved.
No huge expenditure or 'rounding em up in cattle cars' required. The citizenry would LOVE it.
After a few year of this, if there are a few thousand who have stuck it out and are self supporting then we can talk about getting them on the tax rolls with the rest of us.
I’d provide the ER care—and then deport them.
But even at that, those who hold on against the disincentives should NOT be rewarded. I’d stop all affirmative-action goodies for even new legal immigrants as well. And I agree, no anchor babies, no jobs or food stamps of Section 8 or all of that stuff.
I wouldn’t leave it to the states, I’d declare them all federal felons and impermissible to give them aid and comfort.
Yeah, it sounds hardline, but none of this would be required if we’d simply enforce the law.