Even in tough times, the United States still remains the most desirable country in the world to live in. Thousands attempt to come to our country every day. Do you think we should let them come at will, or on what contingencies?

Immigration is a really sticky subject, with many different fine details to hash out. I understand that illegal immigrants can place burdens on certain social systems, I think Bush's plans were abominable. The last thing we need are government-aided assassins, "minute men" patrolling our borders, or a giant wall that keeps the unwanted illegals, and millions of animals, from crossing an imaginary line in the desert. The wall theory worked so well in Germany, right? And it's working so well in Israel. We need to build relationships, not walls.

I agree that immigration is a difficult issue. I live in a state with a significant number of illegal immigrants. We're also an agricultural area. I know that if you want fresh veggies, you'd better be willing to thank an illegal immigrant because they're likely the one who picked it and even packed it. It's just not work that US citizens are willing to do. Our economy uses illegals in ways most of us don't even think about.

America isn't the most desirable country to live in. I don't know where you heard that from.

RI has a great resource on this subject, Bin Yu of RI College. He wrote a book in 2008 on Immigration and quantified the impact. This Chinese citizen recognized the needs of US to qualify its data scientifically to create effective public policy. His book is on Amazon.com

it's real simple, round up all the illegals( what part of"illegal" don't you understand?) they are easy to find, living brazenly among us all! throw the felons out of OUR country on their ear, telling them in no uncertain terms to never come back! then round up all able bodied free-loading citizens who refuse to work, they are equally easy to find among us. take them to the work sites across America now clamoring for workers, drop them off and tell them in no uncertain terms, "work or starve!!" with no work to be had illegals will have no reason to come here. Americans who had no reason to work will now have to work, pay taxes and contribute to the good of all America!! it's what this country was built on, it's a no-brainer, a win-win situation. do i have to think of everything? james a. harris

Illegal immigrants should not be allowed to remain in the US. Additional immigrants coming into America should not be allowed unless they have skilled trades or professions in which they can gainfully contribute to our society. Illegal aliens that are in our country should be rounded up and deported. For far too long, illegal aliens have been a "drain" on the American infrastructure systems. Stopping illegal aliens from entering the USA is easier said than done but it is extremely important to our country's future welfare.

I heard a great quote: If you are young and a Republican, you have no heart; If you are old and a Democrat, you have no brain. This means that it is natural for younger people to have a bleeding heart for the poor and immigrants and cute furry animals, but as you get OLDER or wiser at least, you realize that you only have a CERTAIN amount of resources to help these people and have to make wise choices and have laws about helping people. I am married into a legal immigrant family, and those parents were so hardworking and successful, without handouts. If we open the borders and let people flood in, how can we help anyone anymore? We won't have jobs and resources to help. You have to control illegal immigration, we need to know who is coming in. That is just common sense. Jennifer, you are so uneducated, the Berlin wall was to keep people in. And it did work, didn't it? I don't think the illegals who are here should be sent back unless they commit a crime - and that IS the current policy, they don't do random raids on people's homes contrary to the liberal crap. I just think they should remain here but NO amnesty, eventually there will be fewer of them. I resent paying for their children's free lunches, free English lessons, and the emergency room visits that they just don't pay for. I don't have the cash for that. Too many of you libs have a bleeding heart, but no brain power to balance it out...

By Anthony Again may i say,my family came from Italy in 1915,they did it the American way thru ellis island.Not by wet backing illegally accross the rio grande.The system is broke,and letting Mexicans in illegally is showing our children you can do whatever being right or wrong and the hammer of justice will stay on the wrong side.Every where I go I see Mexicans taking not the jobs people don't want but some of the best jobs there is for American youth. Just take a ride and open your eyes,and notice who the top chef is ,who is putting in verizons new networking,doing your sprinkler systems,pouring your new house foundation,at all the restaurants in the local sea shore boardwalks.Going to work with a phony license,and insurance card,DWI in court rooms and being told that they don't even have a Social Security card so the judge just dismisses the case (Cherry Hill NJ courtroom) these are the true stories behind Immigration, that someone with half a brain can just see by opening their eyes.Let me finish with this illegals can break the laws,drive without a license or insurance,pay no taxes,and send most of their American Dollars home to build a nest egg in Mexico,visit their families,and come back to their employer and get the same job back.Walk the streets like they own them,Hey President,go try this in MEXICO we will be in jail faster then a speeding bullet. My guess there's around 25 million illegal Mexicans alone,not counting all the other's of different countries. Wake up the coffee is burning,or can't no one in Washington smell any thing but a greenback campaign dollar.

To all those who state that they're ancestors arrived "the legal way"... You must be really grateful to the US for allowing your family entry and I am sure that you and your ancestors give back at every opportunity. Very lucky that you weren't sent back and forced to live under the dictatorships, famine, lack of religious freedom, and a host of other oppressive conditions. Consider the alternative. Think about what it would have meant for you and your ancestors had you been sent back. Also consider that those options don't exist any more. I'm sure that having been among the lucky, you empathize with those trying desperately to gain entry to this great country today.