@Avenging Angel - explain your view a little bit more. As a 7-year-old, did Paul have any control at all over where he lived? Like you as a child, the adults in his life had control over that, not him. Now he's an adult wanting to do the right thing by getting legal, getting jobs that pay taxes through regular payroll deductions instead of cash under the table that pay no taxes, and further his education to make his life positive and productive. How is that a slap in the face of legitimate immigrants?

Good point Heather. This illegal immigration issue is frustrating, but what is a young kid supposed to do when brought here by a parent and raised in our nation?

It sure is! Everyone of those illegal aliens can cross right back over that border and then apply to enter.

@Heather A -

And why would sending people like Paul back to their their own countries constitute a punishment? While the illegal act is squarely on the parents of such people, Hoffa doesn't understand why sending them back to their own countries constitutes some sort of punishment as opposed to just making things right, as once back in their own countries, those people could always apply for legal immigration. Are you somehow implying or inferring that these people's home countries are undesirable?

@Hoffa - not at all. What I'm saying is that these kids had no choice but to come with their parents. But, yes, it is a sort of punishment to throw them out of what is in most cases - the only country they've ever known. It's expensive and unrealistic given the number of kids who find themselves on the wrong side through no fault of their own. So why not give them this path to be fully contributing members of our society by getting real, taxable-wage jobs, further their education, etc.? I don't understand the push-back on this very common-sense move.

@Heather A -

Over 8% national unemployment, and over 16% real unemployment when considering those who have given up looking for work or are underemployed is a pretty good reason. Shouldn't the available jobs in this country first go to those whose parents and they themselves have always paid into the system and played by the rules?

@Hoffa - really? It's better to have these folks working jobs under the table and not paying taxes instead of working legitimately and paying taxes? Honestly ... how does deporting them or not giving them the start of legitimacy help in any way? Paul, as an example, wants to work - legally - and go to school to make something of his life. How is him being legally productive hurting instead of helping?

@Heather A -

First off, Hoffa is not advocating that anyone should be paid illegally and under the table for their labor. Employers engaging in such practices should be prosecuted to the full force and effect of the law.

Apparently, there aren't currently enough jobs in this country for those who are and have been legally here all their lives. So if we allowed Paul and others like him to stay here and gain lawful employment, doesn't that take away opportunity from those who have been here legally all their lives?

Shouldn't those who follow the rules and have paid into the system all their lives be first in line to benefit from the greatness of this country? Isn't there an issue of fundamental fairness involved here?

If Paul wants to live here legally, there's a process for that and nothing is preventing him from applying for legal citizenship, is there? In the meantime, what is so wrong with asking him to return to his country of origin and working there? How is that unfair? Shouldn't you and Paul be blaming his parents for breaking the law? Aren't the parents responsible for Paul's current predicament? Why should society as a whole, those who have followed and abide by the rules all their lives, and others who are following the legal process for immigration be made to suffer for Paul's parents' illegal act?

While it may not be fair to Paul, it's his parents fault and solely their responsibility to shoulder!

That's not true. My family member legally immigrated here and just became a citizen in the last few weeks. And I know of others that have also. Just because you want something doesn't mean you get to break the law and do it. This coming into this nation without permission is a 'silent invasion'. Mexico shoots anyone sneaking in their borders. Real Immigration reform means we enforce the border and deport all illegal aliens back. And thank you to those people lining up for the Obama list of illegal aliens. Now when we get good immigration reform we will know who to deport right away.

Democrats want as many illegal aliens in our country as possible. They know that, sooner or later, the political pressure to give the illegals citizenship will become irresistible. Since new Hispanics almost always vote Democrat, they view illegal immigrants as new pool of reliable Democratic voters.
How cynical can you get.
Maintaining political power is more important than the rule of law? Sheesh.

They are not even "undocumented" immigrants since "immigrant" only applies to those that legally used our immigration system. They are ILLEGAL ALIENS. All this word play is a method to lessen their illegal status.

Agree - undocumented = illegal plain and simple, so why try to sugar coat it Patch?

There is no way, other than this new rule, for Paul to become a legal resident. Well . . . he could return to a country he doesn't know and stand at the back of a line that doesn't move. How fair is that to a child? Where is the compassion in this debate?

What Obama DID do was to create a list of the illegal aliens that are signing up and when the new president stops this nonsense there will be a nice list of illegals to deport. So all you illegal aliens go ahead and sign up. Kinda nice to get the criminals to put themself on a future deportation list.

@Ryan Knudson -

Could you please explain why sending Paul back to his own country would constitute a punishment? And what would prevent Paul from applying for legal immigration? How is granting Paul amnesty fair to those who have been and are playing by the rules and waiting in line - where's the compassion for them in this debate?

@Hoffa - people who come here legally as adults were able to make that determination on their own, but if they bring their kids with them, do the kids have a choice? No, and neither did the kids who were brought here illegally by their parents. The US is the only country they've ever known - their home - and they want to do right, and DACA provides that first step. How can you not see that?

Paul has not "had more than his share of opportunities to become legal." There is no way for an undocumented immigrant to adjust his/her status. This rule change is hopefully the first step toward a path to citizenship for kids like Paul.

As an adult he can cross right back over that border and apply to the usa to immigrate here LEGALLY.

As someone with a legal SS#, he can work, but because he is not a citizen - even as a legal alien with a green card - he still cannot vote.

If he has and used an illegal SSN why would he not think any less of voting..he has a name and address and a drivers license.
I would wager $100 to Feeding America that he could register and vote in the City of Racine.
That is neither here nor there. He is here illegally, using a fake SSN but since we live in and near sactuary cities they will not deliver illegal alien lawbreakers to ICE to send them back home.

What of his parents, are they still here and if so are they working, filing taxes with their Green card numbers or fake SSN's?

Voting, Filing/paying taxes (unlikely) are duties and rights of American citizens...he isn't and does not meet the criteria.

My LEGAL immigrant family member just became an American citizen some weeks ago. The Legal method is the right way. No reason to enter illegally. Mexico shoots their invaders.

Mexico does not shoot their illegal immigrants shut up n get your facts straiight

Wow really "our nation"? How did your ancestors come here? Why did they come here? Who did they take this land from? Okay, you sure told me!!! Look make you a deal i'll pack my bags as soon as you pack yours!!!! All that bs about world freaking peace and lets help each other is a bunch of crap. We are all here for the same reason and that is " out of neccesity and to live" just like you. Illegal Aliens huh wow wtf do we look like chewbacca? Whatever, you guys all hating are ignorant wish you could walk a day in my shoes maybe then you could really talk!!! Until that shit happens don't assume it is easy or that we are happy breaking your so called effn laws!!!

blah blah blah... How can you claim a land that wasn't yours to begin with and put all these rules and restrictions and call people criminals?

I still think you're leaving out the important factor that these people were children when they were brought to the US and, thus, had no choice in the matter. For me, I'd rather have them turn into tax-paying citizens with real jobs and contribute to the costs and benefits of living in America and not punish them for choices they had no control over more than a decade ago. It's too expensive (more wasting taxpayers money, right?) to do it the other way and less productive in the long run.

Heather A.- I totally disagree. Yes, it is their parents responsibility that they were brought here illegally, but it is not our responsibility to grant them immunity. You either have immigration law, or you don't. All this means is that if the ylived in the country that long undocumented, we didn't enforce the laws in the first place.

In case you haven't noticed, we have millions of naturalized citizens in need of a job. We have an Attorney General and a President that have totally ignored the law. Anyone that tries to enforce it, like in the case of Arizona, they do every thing they can to twart those efforts.

It is not that difficult of a solution. If you are an undocumented immigrant, you are sent back to your home country where you can leggaly apply for citizenship and a temporay visa to attend college or get a job, just like the Europeans had to, including my grandparents and mother-in-law. Whether or not yoyr parents brought you here has no bearing, you are still illegal.

That they got away with getting an education off our tax dollars means that they perpetrated fraud, especially after the age of 18.

The number one job of the President of the United States is to protect the borders and like everything else this President does, throws right into the face of peole that did it the right way.

Calm down "Voces de la Frontera" get your facts straight! Good for your parents what do you want now a cookie. S***t not everyone is as lucky as your parents we all have different situations but i guess you guys know it all. I don't understand how this is bad. How can you "white folks" claim a land that wasn't yours to begin with......laaaaame

Voces is a sham Sandy. And way to go; typical liberal playing the race card. Try looking up the term "illegal" and get your facts straight.

Sandy is a pathetic racist leach.

Wow I know you don't expect people to believe your bs story!! Don't talk out your behind get your facts straight before you open your grill!!!

That is why we are trying to do the right thing and become LEGAL!!!!! I have paid my taxes since i started working at 14 years of age and i paid alot more than someone who was legal but i am not complaining i contributed to this country as well. Dumb ass Mike says "they need to get out" really okay remember your here because of your ancestors and if it weren't for them you would probably wouldn't be here!!! Don't act like this land is yours to claim remember you stole it!!! So you want us out then pack your bags and we will do the same!!

@sandy -

If you're illegal, then how do you pay income taxes without a social security number exactly? Do you file a tax return every year with both the federal and state governments?

@ James yes i do to federal and state. The government issues you what is called a tax I.D number or tti. So many people like you don't know the real facts. Just talk to talk and cause problems but the truth is a lot of us are working and paying into the system and yes we do pay more than what you pay call a penalty or whatever but we pay. Don't get it twisted I am not complaining I am just putting the real facts out there.

@sandy -

The ITIN was created in 1996. So how did you pay income taxes prior to 1996?

@ James I didn't work before 1996 or 1996 i started working when i turned 14 years old. How old do you think I am? Wow

@sandy -

Fair enough. It's not enough to change my position though.

What if you were one the millions of people living in a foreign country that followed the appropriate legal immigration channels and are still waiting for approval on your application after years of being passed by and patiently waiting? Or how about a naturalized or home-born citizen who couldn't find even a minimum wage job while watching the illegals all round you obtain gainful employment?

Would you feel differently about illegals if you were wearing different shoes? If not, could you explain the reasoning behind such a position?

@ James I can see where you are coming from and to answer your question.... the thing is this we take whatever job is thrown at us and trust me I have had some really dirty jobs in my life that other people with legal documents refuse. I don't understand why so many complaints if the jobs are there it's something else if you don't want to do it because it's a lot of labor but it is what it is it's a job!! To answer your question I don't I would feel different if I was in shoes and this is why we are all here for the same reason "to live" we are trying to work hard for a better future and out of neccesity. Another thing is I don't get why they refer to us as illegal aliens... we bleed the same color. If you deport me you will through me to world that I have never known, I have been here since I was 8 months old!! All I am asking for is a chance to do things right that is all just one chance!

Yup tell it like it is Toni we are moving on up!!! Its not our fault your lazy!!!! Hey we don't complain on the jobs that are given to us we take what there is a job is a job!! Stop being picky and you will see there's more than enough jobs to go around!!! Now lets see whats your next dumb wanna be comeback to this truth.....come on lets hear it!!! ha ha ha

@sandy -

That's a very admirable and responsible position to take! I told you we could find some common ground ;-)

@ James, I have met people that disgust me with what they are doing just leaching of the system and not caring and have told them "it's because of people like you they don't want us here" Why come here if your not going to strive for a better future all these lazy people are doing is screwing it up for all the rest of the people that really want a better life. The way I see it is this is my home and I will do whatever it takes to make it better! :p

sure blame all the problems on illegal immigrants. Im illegal i work under MY NAME self contractor if you must know i do have a tin number under which i pay taxes. Get your facts straight before you go talking shit. By the way where do you get that 150 illegal people are doing what you claim?