I've been following the recent protests by illegal immigrants but have been having trouble putting my thoughts into words. (That is beyond "what's right is right, what's wrong is wrong, and is isn't right", that is). I think these guys come pretty close to capturing what I've been thinking:

We are a nation of laws, including those that control how visitors can enter this country, how long they can stay and how they can become permanent citizens. I expect those visitors to obey the same laws that citizens are expected to follow; and I expect my government to enforce the law when those visitors choose to ignore it.

America is my home. I consider myself a generous and hospitable kind of guy, but you have overstepped your bounds when you break into my house… eat my food and sleep in my bed, and then demand that I "forgive and forget" and treat you like a member of the family.

It is not like we ask the impossible of the illegals. Hundreds of thousands of people from around the world have come to this country legally, persevered through the process, "studied to show themselves approved" and earned the precious honor of American citizenship. It can be done; the invaders simply choose not to make the effort.

Bob Griggs, Nothing "Mexican" on Cinco de Mayo

Considered felons by the [Mexican] government, these migrants fear detention, rape and robbery. Police and soldiers hunt them down at railroads, bus stations and fleabag hotels. Sometimes they are deported; more often officers simply take their money.

Mark Stevenson, Associated Press Writer, Few Protections for Migrants to Mexico

One final thought about this notion that the illegal immigrants are filling vital jobs that American's simply won't do, anyone who watches The Discovery Channel's Dirty Jobs knows there isn't any job an American won't do.