"I wouldn't be able to go to another country and essentially "squat" there and demand people speak my language, provide assistance to me, in my language, and keep me healthy, etc.- and yet this is the continued demand of undocumented peoples from all over the world."

This is a gross mischaracterization.  Many DREAMers or their families were in legal status or on track to residence but were derailed by bad legal advice or mistakes of their parents.  Even those who came EWI often came at a young age and had no choice in the matter.

I've never yet encountered a DREAMer, or any undocumented immigrant, who demanded that U.S. citizens speak his or her language.  This is a myth.

Undocumented immigrants underuse even those few public health services for which they are eligible. 

It's hard to discuss these issues when there is so much misinformation floating around.

I respect your great grandparents' struggle.  But there were plenty of people in their day who wanted to take the approach you advocate for the immigrants of today.  If these people had prevailed, your grandparents never would have made it here.  The restrictionists did eventually prevail and if your ancestors had tried to come after 1924, they would most likely not have been able to.

More here on the false distinctions between the "legal" immigrants of yesteryear and the "illegal" immigrants of today: http://immigration.change.org/blog/view/the_myth_of_the_legal_immigrant_ancestor

I'm an American, born in the US and couldn't get financial aid either.  Would you have got financial aid if you were applying to school in Bangladesh?  Whenever I travel to another country requiring a visa, I need to certify that I won't be dependent financially in any way on the country I am going to visit.  And I accept that because it's unfair for me to expect to receive expensive benefits from a country that must take care of it's own people first.

We can't afford to take care of or employ the people we already have living here.  I think we should make legal imigration more accessable but not yet, not until we help homeless Americans and other legal citizens struggling here first.

If my native country let me down, I'd be protesting that government; not the one I entered illegally.

Thank you David for providing such an insightful article. I hope Amy Bryant reads it like i did but most probably she is just busy spamming other pro-migrant websites.

Hey i know how you feel man. Coming to the us at the age of 9 was not my  choice i was brought by my abusive father and dropped of with no phone call or notice to my mother who had left him a short while back. America is my only home. i met my first true love there and now she pregnant with my unborn son.But guess what now im right back in the place with all my childhood bad memories of my abusive father and im depressed because i cant be there for my pregnant fiance.We just want a chance thats all. We are all from the same planet.They call us aliens but we dont fly around in space ships.We walk and talk and breath the same air no matter what country we are from.

Thanks for putting your story out there Piash.  It's the continuing hard work and daring perseverance that DREAMers like you employ, that will only help us push our cause to victory.

>

I really want Amy to point out where Piash makes these demands, and not just Piash, but any other undocumented student. Stick to the facts and if you make claims, try to back them up with warrants.

As for grandparents coming here legally in 1912, well, duh -
http://aclupa.blogspot.com/2007/08/my-grandparents-came-here-legally.html

I came here as an immigrant too.
I came here legally though.

Your parents broke the law, and our tax dollars have been paying for you to go to your little public school.  You didn't pay any of that.  You have been taking advantage of the system (albeit involentarily) but it's still messed up.

I am liberal in almost every issue, but this is one that liberals and conservatives alike can agree on.

The Dream Act is not a liberal or conservative issue. It is an issue of justice.

Dan Doryan wrote:

"Your parents broke the law, and our tax dollars have been paying for you to go to your little public school.  You didn't pay any of that."

Danny, you paid taxes while you went to school as a ten-year old? Amazing.

If Piash's parents were renting I am certain that the owner of the rental covered his/her mortgage, taxes, and insurance with the cost of the rent. Some of those property taxes would have paid for Piash's education in a public school.

I am for the Dream Act because I am for justice.

"Your parents broke the law, and our tax dollars have been paying for you to go to your little public school.  You didn't pay any of that.  You have been taking advantage of the system (albeit involentarily) but it's still messed up."

Even if we grant that what you say is true, then WHAT sense does it make to advocate deporting Piash (which would cost thousands more I assure you) rather than legalizing him and making him pay taxes into the system, taxes that the Social Security Administration vouches that it needs to save social security, taxes that would more than cover the cost of his high school education? Please answer.

I am a full caucasian citizen of this country and I support the DREAM Act in its entirety.  I believe that this country was founded upon freedom of immigrants and that no one should be denied rights to what we have here.  It is not a SELECTIVE thing, it's an inalienable right.  No one should have to watch their back in a country founded upon this freedom.  I run "The REAL American Dream", a small MySpace organization set to inform people about the DREAM act and encourage equality and freedom (visit www.myspace.com/therealamericandreamm for more). 

Living in Southern California, I live with many races on my sides.  I grew up and went to public school where most of the time I was one of the only, if not the only white kid in class.  I did think, however, it was wrong to send spanish booklets home when they KNEW I was white (English should have been the primary, any other language upon request...not automatically spanish), but I dealt with it.  I hold nothing against anyone.

I do think that there are some small groups of peolpe in EVERY group of people that make the majority look horrible.  That is why the DREAM Act has been declined, was because people only focus on those few negative people who DO abuse our system and get away with so much, but that is not the case for the STUDENTS.

People forget that the DREAM Act is meant for STUDENTS or Military Personel.  It is meant to give kids like us a fighting chance.  I honestly believe that some of these kids deserve to be a citizen more than I do since I am still unsure of my future career at almost 19.

I urge you all to continue supporting the DREAM Act, Unity, Peace, Equality, and Freedom.  Please visit the MySpace page to reach more people.  We need all the help we can get here...

My family goes back to the American Revolution. Davy Crocket was a family member that died defending the Alamo from the Mexicans.  Family fought in the Civil War.  Family was in the movement to chase the Mexicans into Mexico City where they signed the agreement that the Rio Grand would be their northern border.  We have family that had to learn English before they were allowed through Ellis Island.  My grandmother had her face slapped by her mother for not speaking English, before WW I.
My grandparents had to keep selling parts of their farm to pay taxes and finally died in poverty.
There is no American dream.  I spent a career fighting with the aliens who weren't required to be drafted.  I served my country and the thanks I got was low seniority at a job.You are not my problem Piash, only part of it.  My children would like to have some of those freebys that you want handed to you.

David Hill, why so bitter? Piash, like me and so many dreamers aren't asking for freebies. We work hard and strive to be the best we can be and serve the country you seem to love as much as we do.

Piash, skip the negative comments and remember that you are worthy and should be proud for speaking up. There is always light at the end of the tunnel and I am sure we are almost there.
I am proud to be standing next to you!

My mom is Native American and my dad is half Puerto Rican and half Irish and Native American, but my Irish great-grandfather came here legally and my Puerto Rican grandfather was a citizen so he was legal too. But people seem to think that it is okay to just walk into America and demand rights that we Americans don't even get. Which is why I think that people shouldn't come here and expect us to be just like them and learn their languages. What's the point of coming here if you don't want to be apart of the society?

Then, people seem to think that by calling people like you an "undocumented American or alien" that that changes that you are illegal. Your parents broke the law, and I think you should go back to your country and come back here legally, that would be the best thing to do in my mind. You are not an American citizen or a legal immigrant so you shouldn't be here and Rutgers was right in not giving scholarhips to someone who is illegal even though it isn't your fault. I don't think you should be blamed for your parents mistakes but you also shouldn't be here.

To all the people AGAINST the DREAM ACT:

Thanks for your so nagative support. That gives me courage and motivation to work harder and get people involved. i believe dreams do come true. The dream act will be a reality.

"My mom is Native American and my dad is half Puerto Rican and half Irish and Native American, but my Irish great-grandfather came here legally"

Hey Emma, thanks for your incoherent ranting. My parents and I came here legally as well. We just got screwed by the immigration process after. Luckily, for your grandpa, immigrating to America was a whole lot simpler back then.
---
"Which is why I think that people shouldn't come here and expect us to be just like them and learn their languages. What's the point of coming here if you don't want to be apart of the society?"

Emma...i dont expect you to be just like me. I'm GLAD i'm NOT like you. I did learn the language of the United States. I am typing in that same language right now! And...yes i DO want to be part of "the society" which is why I'm speaking up.

Emma, please read Dave's comment above or check out this link:

http://immigration.change.org/blog/view/the_myth_of_the_legal_immigrant_ancestor

Also, it would be practically impossible for Piash to come back here legally because he would be subject to a ten year ban from entering the country. Please check out the USCIS page or this link so you can learn more about the immigration system before making further comments:

http://www.reason.com/blog/show/128999.html

I hope your argument is a result of misinformation.

Piash, thank you for sharing your story. I am glad you are still here fighting for our right to pursue happiness.

support the dream act!
VOTE
http://www.change.org/ideas/view/pass_the_dream_act_now

It really saddens me to see all the misinformation that is floating around. What dreamers are trying to get out of the dream act is not something that should be a privilege but rather a given right. I came to the United States when I was just 4 months old, and still I am undocumented. I AM and American. I just graduated from a University with a Bachelors in Television and Film Studies. Regardless of all the obstacles that I had to face like high tuition, and the disappointment of not being able to claim the MANY scholarships that through my hard work I earned. So tell me, what is it about me that makes me non-American? I went to school, had good grades, I've worked AND payed taxes since I was 16 years old, I volunteer, and I"m proud to say college graduate. I didn't ask to be here! Piash didn't ask to be here either. We just didn't have that choice. We don't have the choice of leaving this country and going to a country that is foreign to us. We ARE American!

Well Judy, I HAVE been here working my butt of for like 8 years AND paying taxes, not breaking the law as you say. What law did I break? I didn't know a 4 month old was capable of breaking a law. Now, you say I never bothered to become a citizen? Well, I simply didn't have the choice because it wasn't and still isn't an option for me, which is why I'm here fighting for the dream act to pass...makes sense right?
I think it's clear you don't support the dream act I get it, but thanks for the reminder =].
Like I said, so many IGNORANT people wasting their time leaving comments that don't make sense, when they should be reading and getting the facts straight.
Keep up the good work Piash! Together we will make our dreams come true!
=]

It will not happen and our laws will be enforced or this country will be destroyed.

This issue is not about justice. If decided purely as a matter of justice then there is nothing left to discuss. They have no legal standing here. This is about what We want America to be. I want Us to stand for compassion, as We always have. We send food, money, equipment, people all over the world to help people in need. We send our military to fight fascism, to topple dictaters. I would be ashamed of sending a person back to some backwater swill hole like Bangladesh when all We have to do is pass a little paper work! Honestly People I think You are losing sight of who You are! We need to tighten Our borders and know Who is here, send back criminals, but the majority of these people are a valuable asset to this community.

What an interesting thread.

Piash, I'm an American who, like Charlie, puts compassion high on the list of what it should mean to be American. If we can afford to spend $10 billion - that's $10,000,000,000 - a month in Iraq for over five years, we can afford to amend our laws to give citizenship to valuable, educated people like you.

I had no idea about the Catch-22 undocumented people are going through. Your narrative brought it to life well.

You've got my support. My ancestors were immigrants too (almost all Americans' were), and I'm sure there were immigrants a generation earlier than them yelling, "After us, nobody else. Close the gates."

It's good to see that so many people in this post don't fit that mold. Let's hope the DREAM Act passes, and keeping working towards it.

A wonderful article written by such a gifted young man. Let bring the American closer to DREAM, erasing the misconception and be united!

"This issue is not about justice. If decided purely as a matter of justice then there is nothing left to discuss. They have no legal standing here"

The law is one thing, justice is another. Segregation was once the law. Justice was on the opposite side of the laws of segregation for decades.

Justice for Piash and thousands of other young people is currently outside the law. Current laws often reflect our past biases.

The Dream Act, as many here have stated, is about justice.

Pete, semantics, semantics, did you read the rest? I will not surrender my nations' right to determine its' own direction, but I will have a say in what direction that will be.

I feel your pain Piash bro. Let's get this DREAM Act passed!-Luis from St. Louis

Piash and Piash family, like so many families in this country have been trying for ever to get legal documents, spoken with lawyers, filled out forms, paid thousands of dollars for applications for US immigration with no results, it is not like they want to be illegals, they have no other option.  Are you aware that if I apply for my son to come to the USA as a green card holder it will take for him to come over nine years, and are you aware that it took my sister fifteen years for me to be able to come and that by then my son was over 21 and therefore had to stay by himself in another country, do you know how sad it is for me and my husband every Christmas, birthday, etc that he is not with us.  I wish I had the courage to bring him to live with me and wait for his papers inside this country.  what options do many people have, starve to death in poor countries or come here and work and do the best for their families.  Jobs are not lost to illegal immigrants, we come to work and create jobs, students like Piash have worked at their school level during so many years and know they can start to produce and pay taxes and become good citizens, why not let them. Hi Ms Judy, you should start to talk to people of different color and race and hear their stories, they go to your church I am sure, they go to the same supermarket, they walk in your street, have you ever taken the time to find out if they are good or bad, or just because they look different they are the enemy.  Let'shelp this young people be able to get a drivers license, a job, be productive, I don't think you and I have many years left of being able to work, maybe younger people will be able to support your social security, disabilities, medicaid needs in not so many years to come.Love thy neighbor!!!

 cecilia ycaza, boo-hoo. You expect a pat on the back for being afraid to break our laws and whine about the wait??? What about the people who are going thru the proper channels and processes and wait all those years while illegal aliens jump the line ahead of them and break our laws to come in here and demand benefits and rights they are NOT entitled to?!? This is America, and YES we have lines and if you want to join our society you better RESPECT that line. You risk a riot by jumping it. This article is slightly disengenious due to the place this illegal comes from. Our biggest problem is on the Southern border. As far as the policies go, there are different dispensations for different countries. Since 9/11 things CHANGED. Can you guess why? Things may be handled different to protect National security. I'm sick of hearing people whine because we don't want any more towers falling and our people dying. We have a saying here that goes: Anything worth having is worth waiting for. If you don't like it, move to Europe, I hear they are much more liberal in their immigration policies.

Charlie Reed, you are muddying the subject. It's clearly not as simple as that. There is a DIFFERENCE between refuggees and immigrants. Refuggees flee from a violent dangerous environment and immigrants are coming for the money. There is a limit to EVERYTHING and space is beginning to become a problem in this country as it is. Oh, don't forget, don't stop having too many babies! We need the slaves. NOT. Don't blow smoke up my skirt and tell me I'm on fire.

Nancy Andrade how stupid do you think we are? We citizens have to provide all kinds of documentation to get a job, bank account, ect; How did you manage to get a job, much less pay taxes if you are an illegal??? I'd like to know who your employer is. It's time he/she paid for their crimes. Tell us Nancy, who butters YOUR bread?

Judy, I won't blow anything up your skirt, however I will say that your ignorance scares me. First of all, you are generalizing saying that "we" come and demand rights and benefits that we are not entitled to. What rights are we not entitled to? Before I continue, will you realize that what we are asking for is for what is JUST, nothing else. This is not an amnesty or anything like it, rather we ask our government realizes that we are assets to this country. In case you still haven't noticed this is a Dream Act blog. We are not demanding benefits, we are demanding what we desserve. Now, as for our towers falling. That was 2001, we are now in the year 2009 and we are still in Iraq killing innocent people, breaking lines of innocent people who have nothing to do with 9/11. What about that Judy? Your tax dollars along with mine are paying for something so ridiculous like that, when they could go to bettering our country by allowing peole like Piash and myself to contribute to our society fully. I'll say it again, get the facts straight! No we are not coming here for money! We are coming here to get educated so that we won't be ignorant like  you!

Undocumented immigrants CAN pay taxes. We even get a tax identification number. 
People such as Judy need to get off their high horse and realize that if they were in our position, they will be doing the same thing we are now, FIGHTING for justice. Believing you're better because you're an American Citizen is pure ignorance, maybe you should go back to school and study the Constitution. A TRUE American would abide by it. 
Electing Obama as the new president has shown me this country is capable of doing the right thing. Such thing was unimaginable back in the 19th century. 

Let's keep on fighting guys! We ARE American!  

people see this as "asking for too much"  no  if this law passes that i know it will

millions of people will be tax payers and this will help our economy..  we are not taking anything from anyone...

There is pros and cons about this...  but we are not talking about giving a chance to gangbangers, drug addicts and what not; We are talking about STUDENTS!!!!!!    


well  you got MY VOTE!   

i also saw a comment it said keep on dreamin'   ????? 
ohh  honey you will see!   that's all i gotta say!

zab

Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} I think it’s amazing how cruel people can be. Yes, there are laws against undocumented people here in the United States, but that does mean that these rules are fair or even justified? Since the beginning people have decided that sum people are more worthy than others. Laws against African Americans are an obvious unjust part of our history. The point that I want to make is, the Only difference between a child who is documented and one that is not is, being blessed. No one chooses their parents. No one chooses where to be born and yet somehow being blessed to be born in the U.S. means more than those who are not. We are all citizens of the World. It saddens me that people can be so cruel. It can take up to ten years for a person in a foreign country to come to the United States legally, and the truth is Many of not All would rather die poor in the U.S. than be rich in their country of birth. In the United States making money is endless but in a foreign country making money means selling narcotics. There is a Reason why people want to be in the united states, No where in the world do people actually have the right to be declared free. So telling people to stay in their country and fight the government is like saying to go against someone with a gun to your head. So...lets not crucify the children …let them study

ok do-over

I think it's amazing how cruel people can be. Yes, there are laws against undocumented people here in the United States, but does that mean these rules are fair or even justified? Since the beginning people have decided that some people are more worthy than others. Laws against African Americans are an obvious unjust part of our history.

The point that I want to make is, the Only difference between a child who is documented and one that is not is, being blessed. No one chooses their parents. No one chooses where to be born and yet somehow being blessed to be born in the U.S. means more than those who are not. We are all citizens of the World.

It saddens me that people can be so cruel. It can take up to ten years for a person in a foreign country to come to the United Staes legally, and the truth is Manny if not All would rather die poor in the U.S. than be rich in their country of birth. In the United States making money is endless but in a foreign country making money means selling narcotics.

There is a Reason why people want to be in the united States, no where in the world do people actually have the right to be declared free. So telling people to stay in their country and fight the government is like saying to go against someone with a gun to your head.

so ...lets not crucify the children...let them study

Judy, this country is about 5% developed and has a break even birth rate (2.1 children per woman) Immigrants are needed to support our economy and spoon feed us baby boomers in our old age.

While I realize this is a tough issue, I have to say that I feel the bottom line is -- too bad. If you want the American dream, then pursue it legally. Is it a frustrating, time-consuming, annoying pain in the ass? Yes, it is. I have many friends from many parts of the world - Dubai, England, India, Holland, France, Korea, Russia... who have come to this country, applied for a green card, and gone through all the paperwork and hassle of earning their green card and citizenship LEGALLY. 
So while I am compassionate about your desire to live here, I also know that it's not impossible to do it legally. And I don't think that you have any "right" at all to say "well it's too hard and I can't be bothered to do it the legal way, so I want you to just give it to me". That's just wrong. I'm sorry. One of my closest friends did have to move back to her home country for a year before she was granted her visa to work here and granted her green card. But she did it. Another friend of mine has been stuck at his job and not allowed to travel waiting for his green card to come through. He's dealing with it. And don't even think about singing the discrimination song... if my Arab, Indian and Russian friends can do this, then so can you.  
I just can't get behind giving a free pass and rights to people whose first act on American soil was to break our laws. If you want us to respect you -- respect us.  

Holly, your friends are more fortunate than most.  I know it's not easy for them, either, but at least legal immigration is a possibility for them.

http://www.citizenorange.com/orange/2008/09/reasonorg-shows-wait-times-for.html

http://www.citizenorange.com/orange/2008/03/there-is-no-line.html

If your point is that we should only make it possible for a very small number of people to legally immigrate, then stick to that position.  But don't tell people they should do it legally when the laws say they can't.

P.S.  I am neither a nativist nor a xenophobe, and do not appreciate the assumption that just because I disagree with you that I am either of these things. I LOVE the diversity of this country, and as I have stated, have many many friends from different nations and cultures. I welcome immigrant neighbors from all over the world with open arms. 
My issue is not you being here - it is only that I ask that you play fair and do it legally, through proper channels. I would most definitely support immigration reform in helping the system to work faster or be more efficient or easier to navigate. 
But I absolutely am angry about people just sneaking across our borders, breaking our laws, living here illegally and then thinking they have any rights to stand up and demand anything of our government or our nation.

Holly, in case I was unclear, I agree with you re: coming here legally. I just feel this country has plenty of room for immigration, both physically and economically so I feel We can pass the dream act and other pro immigration laws without fear of economic collapse. (In fact I believe elimination of immigration would result in economic stagnation.)I do however believe in tight borders and knowing who is here.

I understand what you're going through because i'm going through the same thing, except i didn't do that good in school. here's a part of my story. My family and me came here for a "few months" only, i was 9 years, and i was going to start the 5th grade. Back in Mexico i was a great student. In the whole school i was #3, my parents were proud, i even came out on the newspaper mfor that and gave me an award. The first year here waas so hard, i didn't speak english and the kids woul make fun of me. I tried my besat everyday to do my homework and learn english, but it was hard. I would cry everyday and tell my parents I wanted to go back to Mexico. Then I started to understand a little more and I started getting good grades. When i graduated from elementary i was the top 4 in my class. Then off to high school! It was like starting all over again.... i was doing ok until i had to make a decision... let everyone take advantage of me or go into a "crew" and be respected. I went the wrong way. Even though I still ahd my accent the kids respected me. I started doing bad in school and I even failed a few classes. I started to blame the goverment and even my parents. I just wanted to go back to Mexico. I blamed everyone for being involved in crews and having bad grades... hey but at least I had a lot of friends that didn't care if I was "illegal" and others kids respecting me. Then i started to change my mind I started to get out of that and try bringing my grades up. At last I graduated!!!!! i tried to go into college..... but then i went back to reality, i didn't have any money neither my parents, i wouldn't get any financial aid, so i would have to work. I couldn't find any job that wouln't ask me for my social. I was getting soo frustated so i just gave up..... I stayed home for a whole year without doing anything, then i found a job!!!! they didn't ask me for my social, so I started working. I still can't go to school because i don't get paid enough but i'm trying to survive. Because i don't have papers i get paid like %6 an hour and work 9 hours.... one week i would work 5 days the other 3 and maybe the next week i get fired.... i been looking for another job but I can't find any... and when I find one I need my social....Now I understand why some immigrants get fake socials and ids...i'm not there in that situation but getting close....the goverment don't realize that its not our fault... they brought us here when we were little and this is the only life we know.... we wouldn't be able to live in our countrys because we were raised HERE!!!! We need help, we need an opportunity!!!!

This comment goes to "minute man pete"..... look man first learn history good.... part of this country was part of Mexico long time ago...and you're saying that "you can say anything because you have deep roots in this country"...... learn history...from what i can see you don't know anything.....i believe in dreaming... and no one like you will bring us down.......first educate yourself!!!

"This article is slightly disengenious due to the place this illegal comes from. Our biggest problem is on the Southern border. As far as the policies go, there are different dispensations for different countries. Since 9/11 things CHANGED. Can you guess why? Things may be handled different to protect National security. I'm sick of hearing people whine because we don't want any more towers falling and our people dying. We have a saying here that goes: Anything worth having is worth waiting for. If you don't like it, move to Europe, I hear they are much more liberal in their immigration policies."

Judy I think its funny how you mention that our biggest problem is the southern border and then go on to talk about 9/11. Fact is that the 9/11 terrorist came down throw the Canadian border. 

I have to say I am very impressed with the intelligence of this blog and the people who are writing and responding. This is a difficult issue, but the fact that people here on both sides of the issue are engaging in open, intelligent debate over it is encouraging. I am certainly learning things I did not know. I will have to learn more about this issue. I do feel for those who were brought here as children, feel this country is their home but have no legal status. 
I still struggle with the basic premise though. What is to stop the massive illegal immigration if past sins are just forgiven? If people can just come here, bypass immigration hassles and have their children granted status what is to stop everyone in the world from doing that? What should the criteria be for admission into the US? If we tell some people yes and some people no, what do we do with the people who won't take no for an answer? While you may have had no choice, what do we do with people like your parents, who made a conscious decision to stay here illegally? What about the rest of the world? When do people stop flooding our borders and work to improve conditions in their own country? These are big questions with no easy answers I suppose. 

Holly I agree 100% with Your concerns Re: security. While my beliefs on immigration may seem quite generous I do think We need airtight borders, to know Who is here, and We should be able to keep out people who want to harm America or Americans. I am willing to bet that such people however, are an extremely small minority. People just don,t come here because they hate Us or want change this country for the worst. They have too high a stake in our collective success.

Over the years I have heard many complaints reflecting a fear that Spanish is going to replace English as Our language. I can guarantee that it will not. If you could come back here in 500 years, I guarantee you would not recognise the language being spoken. It would not be spanish or your english. By then english will have absorbed spanish and all other immigrant languages into itself and become a whole new language. Maybe We will call it "American"

Closing this thread.