I would like to know more information on this subject actually, maybe Ill pick his book up. So far, I have thought that the problem really isnt about immigrants but the undocumented, no tax paying folks that send money back home. I also, think that people wouldnt be so quit to take a dump on "illegals" if the economy was in a better place. And the incentive thing Claire is right about. That's the way you stop it at its root, however for the people that are already here I have no idea to do about that one.

"free thinkers are dangerous, and beautiful"

It's entitlement programs and government interference in the market that are the problem. Get rid of public schools, Medicare and various welfare programs, and a pregnant migrant will think twice about crossing the border to give birth to an American. Without all these government-created incentives, people would come here for the best of reasons, that is to work hard and make their own way in a land of opportunity. As it is, immigrants as a whole, legal and illegal, are a net drain on the system, that is they consume more in entitlements than they pay in taxes. People are aware this very un-PC fact, which is why they resent immigrants, especially in hard times. Take away the entitlements, though, and immigrants would be an asset to us. Yes there would be more competition for jobs, but without minimum wage and other government requirements many more people could start up small businesses, and there would be more consumers for goods and services.

We have to remember that as we lure people here from the south, we are in effect dooming their countries of origin to corruption and poverty. When the best, brightest and most ambitious of your citizens are leaving in droves, there is not much hope for your country, is there? The transfer payments workers in the US send to their relatives in central America may sustain them for a while, but it also keeps them in a state of dependency and encourages an attitude of apathy toward their leaders.

Sorry for the typo. Illegals are illegal. Perhaps Cato could at least espouse some type of "even playing field" whereby the taxpayer isn't subsidizing illegals, who send billions back to Mexico. And somehow we need to even out the cost to the employer of the American vs. the illegal. And no, I'm not suggesting mandatory health coverage for illegals. Obama and McCain might have different ideas about this however. I do understand that there's a certain school of thought among some Libertarians that the whole "country" idea is obsolete. And "free trade" ect... should rule the day.

"Freedom without emotion is like a car without gas."

as far as I'm concerned belligerent anti immigration stance is a hold over from the Ghost Of Neo Cons Passed. Excess baggage they forgot to check when they signed on with the freedom movement.

The scariest part to me as an American of Latin American roots is all the racial/cultural stereotypes that many anti immigration proponents use. They claim not to be racist, only to be against illegal immigration, but then turn around and make smug comments about Pedro and Paco running across the boarder with drugs in their @$$ and burritos in their hands, and takin siestas on the job for $4 an hour. That sorta talk is counter productive and really gives the whole movement a sour reputation. If they can say things so malign and ignorant about Mexicans, then they are equally capable of turning on me as soon as it is reported that "my people" pose some sort of imposition.

If you want to protect your town, city, county, or state from illegal immigrants, then you need to work at a local level. Any elected official that says that immigration is a federal issue is just trying to pass the buck, and should be dismissed as a public official at the next available opportunity. Towns and counties across the country are taking action, some successfully and some not so successfully. Find out whats working, maybe even consult with the ACLU, that way you know they wont be coming after your town for bad legislation. But don't be afraid to try! Trial and error seems to be the only way to figure this problem out these days.

That wall is a disgrace to anyone who claims to love freedom. Since when do we resort to stopping an invasion by building a wall?? I know those neo cons are old, but this isn't the 1300's. Historically i think the wall was made an obsolete defense even before that time, but thats neither here nor there.

A little creative thinking goes a long way in a position of leadership. Critical thinking of any manner seems to be missing from America these days. Lord knows even the lies told by the Bush administration have been poorly thought out.

Government has solved the age old dilemma of the alchemists. In order to turn lead into gold, just add blood.