You can't compare the Ellis Island experience many of our ancesters endured with what is going on with the illegal aliens sneaking across our borders. The old style legal immigrant got off the boat with next to no help, learned the language and made good lives for themselves. The current crop of illegals aren't learning the language and they are overrunning our social programs. In certain areas of the country, you might as well be in Central America and I especially include the courthouses, social service departments and the schools. As part of my job, I advocate for children to get services. Most of you would be utterly shocked at what poverty, poor parenting and ignorance is costing our citizens to provide counseling, mentoring, tutoring, parenting classes, housing subsidies, mental health/substance abuse assessments, public defenders, food stamps, residential facilites and jails. The illegals have been getting all the forgoing AND an interpreter. I know a number of attorneys who no longer do court apppointed work because they can't understand their clients and they spend literally hours trying to find an interpreter. The focus for years was the allegation that illegals would do jobs Americans wouldn't do. I find that premise shaky to begin with, but it also completely ignores the real problem behind illegal immigration. I will be HAPPY to pay more for produce and other services.

Don't mean to be negative - but I see this everyday.