The criminals are getting in anyway, and can still commit crimes despite our current attempt at keeping them out.
So what? People still commit crimes in spite of us having a police force. Does this mean that we should disband police?
Also, it's almost impossible to differentiate from a "dead beat" and a legitimate person seeking to better themselves.
That's why we have extensive investigation into potential immigrants; to find out what their plans will be in this country and how they will contribute to society.
The bold is completely, and utterly, false. The only reason this is an issue, according to the right, is because they are taking jobs for cheaper. Also, hundred of companies, including Wal-Mart, have been fined or have been sent a C&D over illegal immigration.
Lol, Wal-Mart. That's why I said "reputable employer". Also, those punishments you mentioned have probably sent a strong deterrent to companies.
To be honest, this is a possibility. I don't, however, think it's an absolute certainty. I'll use drug use in Portugal as an example: Using impure and poorly made illegal street drugs, with huge difficulties of acquiring them and financial costs, people still used it. When Portugal legalized it, drug use did not skyrocket, and, for the most part, slightly dropped. Now, I'm not claiming the same thing will happen, but I'm saying that the we should find more historical evidence before deciding if this point is valid.
You've made that analogy before, and it is still ridiculous. Drug use is completely different, because unlike illegal immigration, there is no one specific reason that people use drugs, nor is there any clear, tangible benefit to it. Relatively few people are going to make the decision to start using drugs for the sole reason that they're legal. However, there are no doubt quite a few people who will make the decision
not to bother using drugs, because by being legal, they no longer have the societal stigma of being "cool" or "rebellious".
Illegal immigration, on the other hand, has a clear benefit to it - finding a life in America, which is considerably better than a life in Mexico. It's as simple as that. It has nothing to do with seeming cool or rebellious by defying laws - they just want a better life.
And this is where it appears we have a fundamental difference between us. I would like to share the wealth of America, and you'd like to accept the current system.
I am all for sharing the wealth of America, but in a realistic way. Jobs are not the only concern. There is also food, housing, capacity of schools, just off the top of my head. I don't know how to begin explaining this, because I thought it was simply common sense. We can't just allow an unlimited number of people to enter the country all at once and not expect any negative consequences.