In fact, Penn and Teller proved conclusively on their television program that physical fences would be completely ineffectual.

Sent by Jody Sol | 9:05 PM ET | 12-06-2007

It was interesting to note the violent crime ifference between El Paso and Washington DC. You infer that the racial make up of El Paso would be one reason for this..Hard working aliens...etc, how about one of the main reasons.Texas' right ot carry conceled weapons. I lived in El Paso and worked within the schools. Some areas of town are definately off limits for the "anglos" , their term not mine.
Also the mention of traffic to and from Juarez, well frankly it is a cesspool of unimaginable poverty. the only persons rushing across to Juarez are the seniors looking for affordable drugs and college students looking for similar items for recreational use. The only traffic is north.

Sent by Raymond Hanson | 9:56 PM ET | 12-06-2007

You profiled a woman who lived near Syracuse who was an illegal immigrant. You described what a hard worker she was, and how dedicated she was to her children, both born in the U.S.

I have no doubt she is a hard worker. I have no doubt she loves her children. But as usual at NPR you left out some very relevant information in this debate over illegal immigration.

She has 2 children who were born in this country. Who paid for their delivery? Who paid for their mom's hospitalization? The U.S. taxpayer.

Who pays for these kids to go to school, with additional costs for bilingual educators? The U.S. taxpayer.

If she couldn't make ends meet, who gave her Food Stamps and welfare (for her U.S. citizen children)? The U.S. taxpayer.

We are a nation of immigrants- true enough. But we cannot ignore the fact that illegal immigrants are an enormous burden on all of us.

Sent by Peter H. Bouman | 10:29 PM ET | 12-06-2007

Breaking the law is ok! If someone wants to break the law, they will. Don't fight it! Love it! Come alive! You're in the Pepsi Generation!

Sent by Jim | 12:28 PM ET | 12-07-2007

41% of all illegals here are gettting some form of welfare from the US govenrment, 20 million of them so far, billions of tax payers dollars. Enough Said

Sent by Craig | 1:14 PM ET | 12-07-2007

"Who paid for their delivery? Who paid for their mom's hospitalization?"

-Peter H. Bourman

I guess I did, and you know what, I'm proud that we do. I'm glad that we live in a wealthy country that can afford to help the poor and meek from foreign nations.

It's a virtue to be compassionate, selfless, and giving. I'd rather my tax money go to poor immigrant services than the Pentagon.

You ought to be ashamed of yourself

Sent by Jody Sol | 1:15 PM ET | 12-07-2007

That's an interesting outlook. I agree Jody, as a taxpayer, I do feel good to know that my dollars have helped the less fortunate by whatever means. It's a little ray of sunshine on an otherwise bleak assessment of the Federal Policy at home and abroad.

Sent by E | 2:39 PM ET | 12-07-2007

The agrument that "illegal" imigrants are sponging off the US taxpayer is prety flimsy in my opinion. Virtually 100% of residents in the US are tax payers whether citizen, legal immigrant, or undocumented. There are sales taxes, user fees, property taxes (direct or indirect through landlords), gas taxes and many more. None of them require any identification of legality and most can't be avoided except by total avoidence of the US economy. Add to that, the number of undocumented workers paying social security and medicare taxes that they will never get the benefit of. So who is this supposed abused US taxpayer?
Second, the sponging. People come to the US to achieve the same dream that our ancestors did, freedom, opportunity, and the chance to provide a better life for their family through their own initiative. Lazy people would never put themselves through the horrors and indignities required to get here and stay here illegally.

Sent by David Conant | 3:14 PM ET | 12-07-2007

Why is no news outlet or blogger responding to these myriad feel good stories about illegal aliens willing to take to task the corrupt latin american governments that gleefully export their poverty and accept tens of billions of dollars exported out of our economy each year by illegal aliens?

Sent by Mark Fontenot | 10:47 PM ET | 12-08-2007

Why the blaintant ingnorance???? It seems that it acceptable to "sponser" an immagrant on my tax paying dollars. For those who feed their self rightousness by sayibg they are happy their tax monies are going to medical bills and food. why don't you volunter and really make a difference. Put your money where your mouth is! And leave mine alone!

Sent by heidi | 11:07 AM ET | 12-09-2007

I read a report some years ago saying that in California, the amount of taxes generated by illegal immigrants exceeded the amount they cost in social services. Add that to the fact that it is US imperialism that sucks all the wealth out of Central and South American countries that drives people into such poverty that makes people willing to make a grueling and dangerous journey into the US in order to be second class citizens. The US economy depends on the economic exploitation of third world countries, the arguments against illegal immigrants is nothing more than lies that blame the victim. When in the history of the US has its government not promoted racism in order to divide and conquer the solidarity that the people of the world have a fundamental interest in having? From Slavery, Manifest Destiny, Jim Crow Laws, the War on Terror, and "illegal" immigration, let's get real. I wish people could just not get so emotionally whipped up by US propaganda and try to maintain a clear head and look at the facts on all issues.

Sent by Kira | 2:01 PM ET | 12-09-2007

Border residents are going to have a different view; however this does not negate the responsibility of the government from securing the border. If border residents could secure their own back yard, I would not be here to help. The greater good is at stake here. The border is not really closed, if we do not unite, it may never be safe, the proper way to enter this country is through an official Point Of Entry.
The fence is only one effort, a real effort from any set of politicians would be multifaceted; another way to help slow the masses from illegally crossing, is to reduce the demand for cheap labor, make it so that they do not want to come here. The human trafficking is only half of the story, there is a large amount of illicit drugs that this nation demands, it's shameful. People have been crossing illegally for years now, and if there is not a serious effort to fix this, this nation might as well consider flying a flag that resembles a hybrid of Mexico and Old Glory, consider learning English as a second language too.

Army Pilot Assisting U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Sent by David | 12:51 AM ET | 12-10-2007

I live in an economically depressed area and have seen how the provision of services to illegals has stressed the local government. I do not know the answer, but I do know that the poor governments cannot continue to provide services to a segment of the population that does not contribute to their own support. We will see a rapid breakdown of authority if we have two populations that are treated differently under the law. One population threatened with fines and imprisonment if they don't pay taxes while the other demands services without taxes. The potential for political and social upheaval is increasing. The built up energy on this one issue will necessarily force a pendulum swing. A pendulum never stops in the middle and we will see many unthought of consequences as a result of our hesitancy to take corrective action 20 years ago.

Sent by Bill | 8:34 AM ET | 12-10-2007

Jody-

I value compassion as well, but for those whom I choose. What gives you the right to choose for me? You're awfully generous with my money.

I am not ashamed at all. You should be ashamed for trying to force other people to follow your beliefs.

Sent by Pete Bouman | 9:24 AM ET | 12-10-2007

I don't know exaclty where this fence would go, whether it goes the whole lenght of the River from Elpaso all the way to the gulf between the US and Mexico. I feel it would be a waste of money, and resources. I know we are in economic troube here, and would help to not have to give money to illegal immigrants, we need to find a way for people to be able to come over and if they want to live here they need to go through the process to become a legal citizen. At one time unless you are a native american, we all came from someother country, it still hasn't changed. I know this isn't exactly on topic but we also have to think of the other effects a fence would have, there are many animals who cross between Mexico and the US and if there is a fence that could mess with animals migration patterns and could greatly affect the ecosystem along the border. Both sides really need to think about all the effects before even thinking about putting up a fence

Sent by magan | 10:44 AM ET | 02-13-2008