I agree that migration cannot possibly solve the problems of developing countries.  Latin American governments should fight corruption and privilege in their own countries, but the U.S. shouldn't stand in their way when they try to do so.

As to your other points, I'd just say that the immigration laws are changing all the time, and in general it was much easier to immigrate legally to the U.S. before 1924 or between 1965 and 1997 than it was after the 1924 national quota laws or Bill Clinton's "deport them all" laws.  More on that here: http://immigration.change.org/blog/view/a_history_of_immigration_to_the_us

Also, for many people, legal immigration is simply not an option.  http://www.citizenorange.com/orange/2008/03/there-is-no-line.html

When it comes to respecting the laws, we would expect the government in charge of enforcing the laws to also obey the law, but we would be disappointed.  http://immigration.change.org/blog/view/what_part_of_illegal_dont_you_understand_-_dhs_breaks_the_law_again 

No matter how sympathetic one might be to an undocumented person or to the difficulty encountered by a family containing one or more undocumented person, the bottom line is whether or not someone should be rewarded for flouting the laws of the United States.  It isn't as if an undocumented person is unaware that they are breaking the law.  They are fully aware or they would not take pains to attempt to use false identification, sneak across borders under cover of night, pay smugglers to get them over the border, etc.

If United States Immigration laws need altering, there are ways to accomplish that.  However, knee jerk stories intended to raise sympathy for people who have knowingly and deliberately sought to circumvent the existing immigration laws do little but tell both undocumented persons as well as every legal citizen of this nation that breaking the laws of this country is acceptable. 

The burden for these undocumented persons for schooling, medical care, etc. does not fall on their countries of origin and, in far too many instances, does not even fall on the undocumented person.  It falls on the already overburdened taxpayers. 

It matters not whether the undocumented person is rich or poor, is from Latin America, Asia, Europe, Africa, South America, Canada or the moon.  Attempting to place the blame on the laws of the United States, on the actions of the United States government, whether justified or not, is not going to make these undocumented persons anything other than what they are.  That is,  persons who have already shown that their respect for this nation and the laws of this nation is not among their priorities.  Their personal agenda takes precedence over obeying the laws of the United States.

We are a nation of law.  Freedom does not mean free to ignore the law.

I feel that our goverment should be tougher on immigration. illegals should have no rights to stay in our country and use our resourses. I live in California and there is alot of illegals in our state and that is why we are always running out of money. They don't pay into our system but yet they're the ones that use up all of our resoures and we get stuck paying the bill. I agree that illegals need to be deported to there own country. How could we fight for there rights to stay when most americans didn't care how the people of Iraq were being treat by their President.

Ok, I agree that the borders be secured.. only because people from other non-border countries are coming to the USA through the borders.  I think all people who have a family member who is a U.S. citizen or who is not a U.S. citizen but the U.S. is all they know should never have to be put through going to a country they don't know.  That is just wrong to make someone like me choose to leave my family in the U.S. to keep my own little family together.  Deporting people who are already in the USA is not going to do anything except waste peoples money.  You know why, those same people just come right back and then the U.S. pays to deport them or worse yet, they pay to jail these individuals.  It obviously doesn't work so people need to start thinking OUTSIDE the box and move onto something that works for everyone.  And as for the not paying into the system that is such bull, "illegals" working under the table.. they do not, however when my husband was there working, he did pay taxes and such and you know what.. he couldn't file his taxes due to his illegal status.  SO, unless a certain thing pertains to EVERYONE of the "illegals" it should not be said.  And why don't we focus on going to Mexico instead of Iraq and helping the Mexicans have a better country to live in so that it's not necessary for them to go to another country just to make more than $80 a week.. at a "good" job.  Also, for the people such as Daniella (mentioned in the DREAM post) who where in the U.S. illegally and want to fix things for themselves and are denied.. what does that say about the USA?  We give rapists, murders, drug dealers, etc. second, third, sometimes fourth chances.. why not someone who wants to fix the status?

Laws are changed so rapidly nowadays, it's not fair to ASSUME that everyone got the memo. The laws changed drastically in 1996 and since then, not even ICE knows the current legislation. To solve the problem, thousands of immigrants are herded under the broad blanket of deportation. If you want ICE to be taken seriously, have them get their act together. Have them put into effect something that works.... that solves the problem... instead of being a double edged sword.  THEN, when things are fair again, maybe those illegals can come out of hiding and make things legal. As for damn CAlifornians, I am from California.... and it's not the damn Mexicans. Go after the Chinese.... who come in on the BOATLOADS!!!  (considering that ports import more than the borders do. only 10% are checked).  Check our own immigration policies or see where our aid goes. There are certainly countries, especially in the Middle East, that we FAVOR immigrating and PAY for their education. Personally, I feel that all of you that put out broad immigration statements about sending the Mexicans back to their own damn country etc.... still believe that all you need to do is marry a citizen and you're set, and that by filling out paperwork, you should be here in a year. As for welfare recipients.... only 13% are immigrants... and that means, legal or not.... guess who's taking all that money? OTHER races, black white.....  AND alot of immigrants DO pay taxes using a TIN#, which isn't connected to INS and assures them safety while contributing to our society.

Sorry, didn't finish filling out the sentence~

"Personally, I feel that all of you that put out broad immigration statements about sending the Mexicans back to their own damn country , that still believe that all you need to do is marry a citizen and you're set, and that by filling out paperwork, you should be here in a year, have little knowledge about the internal workings of immigration and what it DOES do for our economy. After you study macroeconomics and see the impact that these immigrants, illegal or not, have on communities large and small, I think you might have a different opinion.  

I like how you all can tout 'nation of laws' when it comes to immigration but yet you go ahead and commit all types of
outrageous law breaking like stealing, child abuse and all kinds
of horrendous crimes.  I'm not saying it's ok to come here
that way, but most times it's not out of disregard of the law but out of sheer desperation, or family crisis.  A lot of people who are fist thumping against these people would die of shame if they were to find out the truth about how their grandparents came here so that they could be born here,  and be a little more human to the plight of these people.  Not all undocumented are hispanic or black. People would be shocked to see how many undocumented whites are here, blond and blue and all.  Not all should be 'rewarded' as you call it.  Any man/woman who come into another man's country and commit horrendous crimes and cause problems should be punished.  But most just want to be with their families and build lives and become a piece of the fabric of the huge quilt of america.