If so many people want to immigrate to USA, why not do it legally?

the paper work is a time straining ordeal

most do not have the time to wait and see if they will or will not get citizenship

There is a certain profile for people seeking legal immigration. It is a long and costly process and many illegals don't have the time since hunger is knocking at their door, and of course no money. If they had money they wouldn't be coming here, sounds rational doesn't it. This current flow of illegal immigration is due to the economic and unemployment factors in their country that gives them not much of an alternative but to take the risk of coming in and hope that they get a job to feed themselves and their families back home. It isn't easy to understand a situation unless you are actually living it.

I'll say it one more time, as long as the demand factor is present meaning someone who will hire them illegally, then the supply will exist. They aren't fully to blame for what has gone on for so long. I would go so far to say they aren't to blame AT ALL!. What is a government's duty? To make immigration laws that were meant to be broken all for the sake of making businesses flourish and exploit cheap labor? Yes, they (businesses and illegals) were gaining all right, but the Federal Government and tax money was seeping out. If it has been so easy to cross the southern borders then Homeland Security has a also been a big joke. All this time believing we are "safe" from another terrorist attack, when all along it has been so easy to get in the U.S.

We have a bunch of " highly educated"??? dimwits in The White House.

You are correct on all 3 of your questions. it is difficult for a reason. We do not just want anyone in America. If you are willing to jump through the hoops then chances are your pretty serious about following Americas laws. Illegals are just as you said ( well the ones from Latino countries anyway) they have no desire to be counted, no desire to be an American , not desire to contribute to the country of to assimilate in any way shape or form. And yes...it is these people who are here to reap the benefits of America.

Well the United States allowed a specific number of VISAs to other countries. Now the United States Consuls or ppl that work in the consuls only give the VISAs after the person applying for meet the requirements, It takes about 1 year to 1 1/2 years for you to get this documents... And it cost lots of money... No you add corruption to this equation, and only the wealthy get the VISAs... When you live in a country that can't support them selves and you need to feed your kids... What will you do?... It is a problem that is not going to get solved in 2 to 3 years. I hope this help... = :( EFIL

As an immigration attorney, I can tell you that the US does not allow legal immigration of the majority of people from Mexico, Central America, and South America. US law treats applicants unequally, allowing only those applicants who are wealthy, who are professionals (doctors, lawyers, etc.), or who bring profitable business to the US. The chance for a Spanish-speaking citizen of Mexico with a high school degree to immigrate legally to the US is zero! How many of our parents and grandparents were in the same situation. Most Americans do not understand this, and do not bother to educate themselves.

I agree. It's as simple as this; anyone who is caught doing something illegal in America is penalized. Why should this be any different? Right now the federal government supports illegal immigrants by handing them welfare, health insurance, and jobs that belong to the legal citizens of America. They have better health care payed by taxpayers whom can't even afford their own health care bills. Why should they be treated better than middle class American citizens when all they've done is break the law? This isn't equality it's a scandal! If illegal immigrants want to live here than they should sustain to the law and do it legally.

Part of the problem is due to archaic immigration laws. The US need for labor is driving this current illegal immigration wave. Our immigration policy has focused on letting in people with key academic training & not offering manual laborers many opportunites to immigrate. Because American farmers are not in need of say, many physicists or mathemeticians etc., there is more need for manual laborers that they cannot get with native borns. I'm sure that most "illegal immigrants" would rather become Americans if given that opportunity.

There are only a certain number of legal immigrants the united states allows to enter, and we only choose the cream of the crop. Have you ever noticed there are many African and Indian doctors and surgeons? It is because to emmigrate to the US we have very high standards. Now, poor Mexicans that cannot speak English would not even be able to navigate the process let alone be accepted, so if they want to get it their only option is to do it illegally.

i believe that it is just a long process as the first answer has mentioned, the illegal immigrants are not guaranteed the right to have access to America or to become an American depending on their background check, plus there's a little chance that they will become an American if they are criminals so most of them become illegals which then decide to break the law as a result!!

I have 2 brothers in law, one is a doctor, and one is a business owner. Neither of them can come to the US. YOu have to have a specific agenda in order to get a visa, and good luck just getting a residency card, it is almost impossible.

My husband came to study, as he has done on 3 continents. it is very hard on us, as we have been trying for years to gain his citizenship. It also costs alot of money. For some people in poor countries, it is over a years salary!

Your answer is in the first two replies...they basically don’t like the waiting time so feel they have a right to cut to the front of the line. Typical criminal mentality !!