Reg, great post, but I'm going to take exception to your point about a negative impact to the economy should illegals be deported. In my experience, contractor who use illegals for labor charge exactly the same as contractors who do not. I'm certain there are instances where this is not the case, but overall I think that the use of illegals as labor doesn't really cause a reduction in cost to the consumer. I'd guess that the offset as far as social spending, crowding in schools, etc. has to be equivalent, if not greater, than any impact to wages.

When I was a kid in central Illinois, my mom would take summer jobs at a local cannery. About 80% of the labor was migrant, and it was guessed that roughly 75% of that was illegal. These crews would roll into town about a week before the canning season started, completely eff the place up, then roll back out to the next job. It's a necessary evil in order to get canned veggies, but I absolutely don't buy the excuse that they do jobs other Americans won't. They'll just do it cheaper and keep wages down for everyone else while ownership reaps the extra profit.

If 10, 20, or 30 years ago was the time, will it get any better 10 years from now? 20 years from now? Round 'em up and send 'em back. I don't care if they came from Mexico, Canada, China, India, Guatemala, or Cameroon. Send 'em back. They broke the law.

I don't think amnesty or "guest worker" programs are the answer and will probably just perpetuate the problem and serve to weaken our borders and security. Send 'em back.