Why should Americans constantly be urged to find a way to let these people become citizens? What is the greatest thing about being a citizen of the US? The right to vote....why throw the right to vote over the borders of our country? Does any other country in the world do that? What do we owe the people of Mexico? I am all for reform of the immigration system, but I am very much against proposals that grant citizenship status to lawbreakers. Once they become citizens, they can affect change in our laws....and make things worse. No path to citizenship-permanently. Legal residency, fines, threat of deportation if certain crimes are committed. But a life-time ban on citizenship. Z

The point of making it difficult is to avoid creating an immigrant magnet, which would deliver another 11 Million illegals to our shores in just a few more years.  It MUST be a painstaking process, to which only those who are committed to becoming Americans would endure.  The proposals I have seen are too easy-as how would they stop any illegal from coming here tomorrow, as a tourist, and apply for this "transitional" status?  I do not know of any limitations on how long one must be here before being eligible.  

Sometimes it is better to not listen to the "outraged" citizens.  Consider the fact that the outraged citizens get outraged by the Rush's and the Chris Mathews and all the other talking heads of the world.  Most of the time one reads their outrage or attempts to talk to them about the subject and as Barney Frank said, "it's like talking to a table."  Facts, reality, human nature, compassion, economic needs, economic costs, none of these things are of interest to this "outraged" citizenry.  It is for issues such as this, such as immigration, the budget, that we have a Republic.  People get elected to make thoughtful decisions not to satisfy some "outraged" public.  However, our elected officials now simply go with the flow and fail to say the "outraged" public doesn't know what it is talking about.

It was fascinating to watch John McCain return to what he knew was the proper approach to this problem.  To see him now that he's not running for Pres. tell people, "You're wrong.  You're facts are wrong."  But of course the "outraged" citizen doesn't care if his facts are right or wrong.  He just likes his "outrage'.  His chance to blame someone else for his woes.

Something will pass because there is another "outraged" group out there and their numbers are growing and so the pols will split the difference between the "outraged" groups hoping they can make enough of them happy to get votes from both sides.
  Will the right thing get done?  Will a good immigration bill get passed?  Probably not.  Not much good comes out of "outraged" except the phony sense of superiority that the "outraged" person gets to feel.

Lot's a luck on this one boys. 

Unless someone has changed the 14th amendment, so called Anchor babies" are citizens.  The U.S. tax system practically pays people to come here and have more and more babies.  I volunteer with ARRP helping people with their taxes.  One of the sites that I work at has a large immigrant client base.  Some of the clients have been coming there for years.  They speak little or no English and seem to have no intention of learning.  They have a new dependent every year.  Most pay zero income tax but receive thousands back in refundable credits.  Once they get a SS card there is no need to do anything else.  It's just money in the bank.  Well, maybe not bank as most do not have bank accounts.

I suppose that "attaturk" discredits the Revolution, which was activated by "outrage".

On the fence about becoming US citizens, eh?  It's not up to US to subsidize their indecision.  We can't afford it anymore.  Let's pass a definitive immigration law to help  their indecision.

The US needs to put an end to the incentives that draw these people to our great country. If we put an end to the apparent incentives then the US becomes far less appealing to social system parasites. I am not saying eliminate all of the social welfare programs that we have I am saying adjust the qualifications needed in order to benefit from the supportive systems in place.  

So Peter Skerry says the pathway to citizenship is too hard and complains that under the current proposal, the illegal aliens would have to get to the back of the line, behind those who have been trying to immigrate here legally. It's amazing anyone would have the gall to complain about having to get to the back of the line they just cut. They broke the law. If they want to try to come in legally, they are more than welcome. But the notion that they should be rewarded for their law-breaking is utterly nauseating. And the idea of creating a "permanent legal nonresident" class is just as disturbing. Why would we ever want to create a two-tier system? That is by definition so undemocratic and unfair. This is still America, the land of the free. The place where everyone has equal rights.

The new default US immigration policy

People that wish to obtain citizenship, should sneak across the border, take advantage of all government freebees and pay no taxes.

In about 20 years a citizenship amnesty program will be passed, by this time the immigrant families will hopefully have their children in college at reduced tuition and the whole family get citizenship papers.

Must prove they have been in this country for more then 5 years and not crossed over last year....must go to the back of the line and not collect welfare for 5 years...etc. And the anchor baby law must be closed, they now have baby hotels where foreignors come to this country have the babies and go home and now that baby is a citizen...that is wrong, be here 1 week and your child can be a citizen no way. And make english the national language and all ballots in english, this unites us all as americans and not another Canada & Quebec.

I read a lot of fear in these comments but not much in the way of practical application.  You don't like "illegal immitgrants", I get it, neither do I.  But I won't call them "aliens" aliens are from another planet or are "alien" to my species, these are people so they are not alien, they are immigrants here illegally. 

Now some would love to deport them of course they ignore the economic cost of deportation.  Some like or dislike one set of numbers or another set of numbers or they like or dislike this publication or that publication.  All of that is just jim dandy.  However, let me point out there are a lot of little children every Christmas who want something, feel they deserve something and they don't get it.  They have to adjust to the realities of life and accept the next best thing.  So I ask the simple question.  Are all the whiners on this thread little children or are they grown-ups?  Because these people are not going to get deported.  It is not just Obama, the Republicans cannot without great damage to the party not find an answer that satisfies the Latino population. 

You can come up with all the wild and wonderful schemes you want, but legislation will be passed.  You can say they are getting benefits and I won't argue, but they are also paying into the system, of course that you will argue with, because you don't like it. 

"KitcH' would have us believe that Obama is seeking the Latino vote, that the Republicans aren't.  That is pure bs, both parties seek the vote, both parties know it is the future.  Something most of you can't admit or are afraid to admit.  Sorry guys give it another decade and the Eurocentric era of this nation will be over.  Frankly I have no intention of wasting my time and effort whining about Latino's edging some Englishman out of job or Spanish culture leaking into the system.  This is nothing but Eurocentric whining and rather pitful at that. 

"Kitch" I get your point but the issue has passed.  These folks are here the issue now will be to educated the new generation that they have brought with them.  I agree most of those who entered illegally will not add to the educational level, but their children will and they will add to the economy.  Even those here now add to the economy.  They buy food, they buy products and that creates jobs.  As to global competitiveness given the corporate corruption rampant in the country I expect competitiveness will continue to be built on suppressing wages and corporate handouts.  That's the real welfare in this country.  Folks complain about food stamps and welfare and in reality these are simply corporate welfare dollars allowing them to keep wages low. 

"Kitch" you'll have to show some support for this statement, "You are kind, but you are dreaming. Latinos have the lowest educational performance of any immigrant group."  But even if so I'm quite sure you could have said that about the Polish or some other ethnic group.  To me that's implies somewhere I don't want to go.

It is not a question of being too late.  It is a question of this deportation idea is, I can't think of anything except, stupid.  These folks are here and there are anywhere from 11 to 20 million of them.  Time to adapt.

Seein that I lived through the 48 through 75 America I was never that impressed with it.  In fact I happen to think America is a pretty great place right now.  While their are some folks I would rather not do it for, I'd certainly fight this nation again and I am more than happy to pay my taxes.  I just don't see this horrofic place some folks describe.

You remind of some of the guys I play golf with, two cars, fine home in the villages, some like me own a couple places rent one, they play golf 5-6 times a week.  Their stocks like mine just keep doing well.  And what do they do?  They gripe and complain and whine about the American decline over cocktails at the nicer restarurants in town.  Really?  I'm supposed to take this seriously.  I don't think so.  America has it's problems, but I'd rather be here than anywhere else.  Wait, I did love Tahiti many years ago when I was there on a vakay.  Probably all built up now and yucky though.

"Kitch"  You say it is not true. You tell me there is extensive data.  Generally when I say there is data I tell you where to look.  I'd appreciate being directed to your data.  Until then I can only assume, not that it is "ethnic prejudice", but that it is merely something you heard. Because it is only heard doesn't make it untrue, but it does not validate the statement for me and it leaves me devoid of what could be substantial information.  However, if you don't know where I'll do some research myself.  Thanks, if you have it. 

"Kitch"  This is the most recent study I found.  http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2012/06/07/34execsum.h31.html

It shows mixed but progressing results and certainly not as desultry a record that you allege.  If you have something else let me know.  thanks

Honesly people.  How can an honest journalist create an article today that just poses a question rather than focusing on the real issues at hand.  I really hate articles that ask obvious questions.

If you're here illegally, find a path to legal citizenship.  It's existed for, I don't know, a couple of hundred years in the US.  But you better bring a hard work ethic and assimilate to our culture or I hope you will regret it.  

Work hard, earn your pay, raise a respectful family, pay your fair share of taxes, contriibute positively to our culture, pull on our collective resources only when you absolutely need them, and welcome to your new home.  

Otherwise, beat it!

-Officer Krupke

"Kitch"  Well a local story is a source.  It wasn't an accusation that you just heard it, people quote things they hear not always knowing the source.  I do not think however this particular article is as valuable as a study.  But it is a source.

Did you read the national study I gave you.

The writer says"PRESIDENT OBAMA wants the path to citizenship for illegal immigrants to be simple and direct"..No objection whatsoever by the writer, and no curiosity or legal explaination as to WHY Obama wants the path to be simple and direct...

Make something incredibly difficult to navigate and people will avoid the process. It doesn't sound like much reform to me. We'll continue to have illegal aliens that do all the low level work Americans don't want to do. By no means should it be easy to gain citizenship here but what I heard from Rick Rubio was laughable. It amazes me how inept our elected officials are. They can't seem to fix anything.