Illegal Immigrants are at the base of almost every major problem in America.

"...there are hundreds of laws that are on the books that are just stupid, but most people follow them cause it is the law." So, are you saying that the laws dictate morality? Shouldn't it be the reverse? It's just common sense to think that the laws are there to protect people. But the laws we have don't seem to apply to the immigrant. Then you might say, "Well, we only need to protect our own citizens." But haven't the conflicts in the Middle East been justified by the same thing? To directly quote George W. Bush, "We will persistently clarify the choice before every ruler and every nation -- the moral choice between oppression, which is always wrong, and freedom, which is eternally right." We don't have any citizens in Iraq or Afghanistan, so why are we there? Why is it OK to occupy other nations, but not OK to make sure that families our fed within our own borders? But I digress. My point is that laws are not always just. Your argument is that we should obey because it is law. But that is a slippery slope to a "V for Vendetta" type of society. "What is criminal is they come to America to USE America. I have no problem with people that learn English, that denounce all loyalty to their old country, and immigrate here legally." So basically, what you're saying is that if you don't speak English and/or cut off all ties with your home country, you are not welcome here? That is preposterous. Anyone has the right to come here and take pride in their native countries and cultures. I'm sure that when your ancestors came from wherever, they were still proud to be Irish, Polish, German, or whatever. Next, I wasn't justifying murders by illegal immigrants. I was showing how your statement about crime was. You were saying illegals are a main source of crime because they committed x amount of crimes. But legal citizens have committed many more. So the fact that they have committed crimes doesn't justify their deportation, for people here have done much worse. I don't think you realize how long 6 months is. Yes, you probably went through a lot in the military during that time, but you were fed, clothed, housed, and even running water and electricity! The amenities you had in boot camp can't even be fathomed by many that cross the border. Try to empathize with these people. The black and white logic that you are in favor of (he broke the law, automatic full punishment), isn't cutting it. Lives are at stake. Doesn't that bother you? People are dying because they can't feed themselves or their families. It is true that it may hurt us economically to help these people, but isn't it worth it to save human life? In today's society, saying that makes you a liberal hippie douche bag. But I don't know what has become of this country where we deny people basic human rights. "Would I steal a loaf of bread to feed my family? Yes, but as an absolute last resort." You don't think these immigrants are acting out of last resort? It's not like they want to come here on their own accord. It sucks to have to leave your country, your culture, your family, and everything you've ever known. These people are crossing out of last resort. In fact, once they gain enough funds, many go back to start a living. That is a fact. I understand what you mean by terrorism and the border. But, I am not necessarily against border patrol or border security. I am all for that. But once people get there, shouldn't we help them out? Detaining people doesn't help anyone. Like I said in the previous round, by making citizenship more easily attainable, everyone wins. So, I'm not downplaying the need for border security, but if we fixed the system, there would be virtually no need for detention centers and other "deterrents" of immigration. "there wouldn't be spanish news papers, signs, and flags everywhere." What happened to the 1st Amendment? Doesn't everyone, legal or illegal, have a right to express themselves. And like I said, what's wrong with having love for the home country? The system is flawed, but you are wrong when you say it's too lax. Look, even if we kept the citizenship requirements the same, but gave out more green cards or things of that nature, things would be looking a lot better. Don't get me wrong, Teddy was one of the best presidents we've ever had. But that statement in itself is subtly nativist. Every human being has the right to come to this country, regardless of allegiance or language. No one should have to assimilate to anyone else. That is the beauty of this country and that cannot be found in most nations. "We cannot sacrifice our quality of life for a people that refuse to assimilate to us, that refuse to become part of are country, and are perfectly content to abuse and use our country for it's resources." Wow. You don't think it isn't worth sacrificing a few luxuries here and there to save these families? I mean, I'm not a proponent of Communism or anything, but what is wrong with giving up a few things for the well-being of our brothers to the south? Also, if they were legal but did not assimilate, would you still be so supportive? Does the (for lack of a better term) "whiteness" of a person dictate whether they have a right to come here? We are abusing immigrants ourselves. How else would we get such cheap labor? It's horrible the kinds of conditions these guys work in, and for such little pay. That in itself is a crime: they come all this way, just so we can pay them sh*t salaries, because we know that if they speak up, they will be deported. It's disgusting that so many American go on knowing this without any second thought. "It is an invasion by another country, and we need to recognize it as such." If this is an invasion, then the war in Iraq is genocide. C'mon. You're blowing things way out of proportion. "But, the road to hell is paved with good intentions." I've heard this before, but I think it's an excuse from extreme capitalists to make sure that we don't look out for our fellow man. Human lives should be our priority, not profits. I'm going to close with, I think, a very fitting quote. It's on a little thing I like to call, The Statue of Liberty. It saddens me that we have strayed so far from these ideals that we once held so close. "Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"