trying to grok

It makes some good points, but ignores the fact that people come here because they have *no opportunities* in their own countries. People are leaving their families behind to come work in the U.S. because the alternative for them is destitution...just like the Irish (and many others) in the 19th century. I'm certainly not arguing for tolerance of illegal immigration, but I am suggesting that the desire for migration to the U.S. is created by the ongoing failures of the home societies rather than by evil conspiracies among Americans.

It would of course be far better if these individuals had appropriate job opportunities in Mexico, and it's disappointing that the balance of offshored manufacturing is so overwhelmingly toward China rather than Mexico--somewhat surprising, too, given the logistical advantages of being 2-4 days away from U.S. markets by road/rail rather than 30-45 days away by water. The factors are probably deeply embedded in the economies and cultures of the respective countries, and it's not clear how much we as outsiders can do about them.

That article makes no sense. They don't want to go back home.