Reply #14: My problem with this is that they are only illegal because the

[RaleighNCDUer]

law was created specifically to create a caste of illegal workers who could be exploited. If you remove the possibility of exploitation by giving out work permits, which would result in them being paid the prevailing local wage or minimum wage, you remove the fundamental reason for the law which made them illegal to begin with, so why not fast-track them to citizenship if they want it?

They are not criminals. They did not come here to break our laws. The just came to work. The criminalization of their coming, however, has spawned a huge criminal enterprise that begins with people, and drug, smuggling and continues across the border with involuntary servitude and prostitution as people are forced to pay off their smuggling debts.

Open the border; let them come in, properly vetted for criminal history, with legal papers (meaning no more forged documents, identity theft, etc.). Those who can make the adjustment to American culture have the option of citizenship -- the 60 - 70 percent who are only here for the money, and prefer the culture in which they were raised, will return home after a time to further raise the standard of living where they came from.

Additionally, if everyone has legal papers the criminal few who will still cross the border, as they always have, will stand out even among the immigrants. Their own people will call the police on them, if they have no worries about being arrested themselves -- the criminals can only thrive in a population that has been declared illegal as a whole.