Yes, most of the people crossing the border illegally have compelling stories that tug at the heart-strings. But the truth is, most people CAN and do enter the country legally - thousands enter the country legally every day with the appropriate visas. And when someone is caught crossing the border illegally for the first time, they're not sent before the judge. They're put on a bus and sent back to their country of origin - it doesn't even count as a deportation. It's only after repeated disregard for proper entry procedure that they wind up before a judge facing jail time - or if they have a criminal record. While most people who come into the country illegally are good, hard working people, the truth is, not all are. There are people who enter with bad intentions, drug smugglers, criminals, potential terrorists and people who the US should make every effort to keep out. Every country in the world, including Mexico, monitors who enters their country and attempts to keep out those who might do harm. Mexico itself is very tough on people who cross their borders illegally from the south. Assuming that everyone who crosses the border illegally is good and harmless is just silly. Maybe a fence isn't the answer, but painting all border crossers as good, well intentioned people doesn't help either. Most people can enter the country legally, but for whatever reason, they simply chose not to.
Yes, most of the people crossing the border illegally have compelling stories that tug at the heart-strings. But the truth is, most people CAN and do enter the country legally - thousands enter the country legally every day with the appropriate visas. And when someone is caught crossing the border illegally for the first time, they're not sent before the judge. They're put on a bus and sent back to their country of origin - it doesn't even count as a deportation. It's only after repeated disregard for proper entry procedure that they wind up before a judge facing jail time - or if they have a criminal record. While most people who come into the country illegally are good, hard working people, the truth is, not all are. There are people who enter with bad intentions, drug smugglers, criminals, potential terrorists and people who the US should make every effort to keep out. Every country in the world, including Mexico, monitors who enters their country and attempts to keep out those who might do harm. Mexico itself is very tough on people who cross their borders illegally from the south. Assuming that everyone who crosses the border illegally is good and harmless is just silly. Maybe a fence isn't the answer, but painting all border crossers as good, well intentioned people doesn't help either. Most people can enter the country legally, but for whatever reason, they simply chose not to.