OK, I admit it. I am totally clueless about the current immigration debate. But, I do have some personal feelings about immigration, in general.
First: I count myself so effin' fortunate to have been born in a country where people, literally, kill themselves to get in to.
Second: I think immigrants should come to the States legally. When they do, we should all do what we can to ensure that they suceed (sort of a reap what you sow kind of deal).
Third: I don't think we should demonize those that do come here illegally. They just want a better life, who can blame them? Once they are here, we should do everything to ensure they get registered (without fear of deportation) so they can start the process of achieving citizenship.
Fourth: We should not try to reform immigration policy until we (the collective We) demonstrate that we can enforce the immigration laws that are already on the books. Otherwise, its just a matter of shuffling the deck chairs on the Titanic.
Bottom line for me: I have no problem with immigration. Hell, my mom emigrated from Finland in the early 60's. What I don't want is an immigration policy that encourages a shadowy existence for people who are just trying to feed their families and, by extension, criminalizing them.