Elvira Arellano is a criminal. She should have been deported a long time ago. She got pregnant and had a baby AFTER she was deported the first time. Any church giving Sanctuary to Illegals that have been deported should lose their tax-exempt status. If they want to play politics and increase their customers...they should have to PAY LIKE ANY OTHER CORPORATION OR BUSINESS.

Sent by TJ WILLIAMS | 4:05 PM ET | 08-20-2007

The key word here is "ILLEGAL" Immigrant. Elvira Arellano has no RIGHTS in this country because she is NOT a citizen. Why WASN'T she an activist in MEXICO? Why not try to FIX the problems in your OWN country like the blacks did during the Civil Rights Era? Immigrants are welcome as long as they come here the legal way. You can Thank the Blacks involved in the CRA for that.

Sent by Sandra Montgomery | 4:48 PM ET | 08-20-2007

We need to change the laws so that any child born here in the USA to a illegal immigrant visitor is considered illegal too! This will keep all illegal children and parents together as they are deported. This will also save us money on social services. The current law allows all illegals to cross the border in the last months of pregnancy and birth their children on our soil. This birth law was always compassionate but illegal from a constitutional standpoint and should be changed.
Obewan

Sent by Lew Orban | 10:26 AM ET | 08-21-2007

I agree with some of the previous comments. This woman illegally entered into the country not once but several times, then got busted for using a fake social security number and we are suppose to feel sorry for her? I think not. I feel for the child, but we are facing a huge problem in this country because of corporate and personal greed and they are using illegal immigrants to maximize profits for the rich and undercut the middle class and the poor. I think charges should be filed against the church that sheltered her

Sent by Native Son | 9:19 PM ET | 08-21-2007

She rolled the dice, took her chances and crossed the border illegally. She made the choice to do this more than once and have a child in the process. Deportation is what she deserves.

Where are the LEGAL immigrants? Raise your voices and unite to show the correct way to emigrate!

Sent by Kristine | 9:51 AM ET | 08-22-2007

So many of the comments on this page stem from xenophobia and racism. First of all, people cross "illegally" due to a broken immigration system. Anyone else would do the same thing given the economic circumstances and search for a better life. The other issue that is so blatant is that a U.S. citizen child of an immigrant has somehow "less rights" than a U.S. citizen of anyone else? Elvira's child should be able to petition to have his mother here--I'd like to see that law change.

Sent by Jennifer | 2:20 PM ET | 08-22-2007

I disagree with the charge that these comments stem from xenophobia and racism. But I do agree, other people around the world suffer from dire economic circumstances within their respective countries. And if they decide to enter the USA, they must do so through the existing U.S. immigration process. On the other hand, it is the proximity of Mexico to the U.S. that allows people from South America to enter this country illegally. Is that fair to those around the world who attempt to go through the legal process. Let me make it clear, I agree that existing U.S. immigration policy requires some modification. But without measure to ensure the security of the border, any change in U.S. policy is moot. First, peanalize every organization in this country that hires illegal immigrants; perhaps require hire wages for the use of undocumented, illegal immigrants. Then devise a system to secure the U.S. borders. Finally, decide how best to handle those in the country illegally. Proximity should not mean amnesty. And, with regard to current U.S. immigration policy, check your facts; we currently allow millions of legal immigrants into this country annually. The idea that we should have open borders, which is what supporters of amnesty demand, would undermine the interests of legal citizens and the U.S. economy. One final thing - stop comparing the plight of illegal immigrants to that of African-Americans during the civil rights movement. African-Americans are citizens of this country, and rather than flee in the face of oppression and struggle, we marched and died for our rights as citizens. Those entering the U.S. illegally evade what should be their fight for equality an fairness in Mexico, where the elite control all of the wealth and resources. African-American "civil rights" existed because they are citizens of the U.S.

Sent by Darren | 3:01 PM ET | 08-22-2007

Jennifer, just because people don't agree with you, that doesn't make them xenophobes or racists. Note: Their comments (particularly regarding deportation of people who do not have legal status to be here) are consistent with the law. Their concerns about children born of illegal aliens seems to point to frustration over another very apparent hole in our immigration policy.

Cut the name-calling. It's beneath the character of this forum. Our opportunity here is to try to understand other people's points of view and to put forth our own.

The exhortations during the Civil Right Movement were to obey the law while striving peacefully to change them. That, I believe, is what people have trouble with.

Someone once said: the best way to see what needs to be changed (in terms of the law) is to obey it exactly. That way, they asserted, we can easily see precisely what needs to be shifted.

Further, the best predictor of future behavior is past performance. Show in your past that you're unwilling to obey one set of laws and it can be predicted that you'll pick and choose the other laws you'll consider obeying in the future.

This is a very complex set of issues with real personal concerns on all sides along with a vital national interest.

Sent by Lalita | 3:22 PM ET | 08-22-2007

I see that most of us here are on the same page. The issue here is that Arellano was here "Illegally." She has also continued on several occasions to commit more illegals acts while in this country. It has nothing to do with Racism or Xenophobia. We have rules and regulations in this country. Being a criminoligist, I read them often. Criminal activity from any angle is already a huge problem in this country. American policy is to be a "Law Abiding Citizen." If not you are going to pay some type of penalty. All illegal activity hurt the economic status of the poor & miidle class. "Illegals" hurts Legal immigrants as well.

Sent by Sandra | 2:23 PM ET | 08-24-2007

Darren, no one is comparing the Civil Rights struggle with the plight of illegal immigrants. As you know, Immigrants benifit from that struggle and in some ways better than Blacks. It was a great historical achievement that is acknowledged by immigrants. You are right, they were law abiding "Citizens", involved in the struggle. Arellano thought that she could be an Activist in this country even though she was Illegal. SHE was thinking about the Civil Rights Era. I agree with your comment

Sent by Dee | 2:53 PM ET | 08-24-2007