But they broke the law!
The Boston Globe's token conservative, columnist Jeff Jacoby, puts into perspective immigration restrictionists' oft-repeated complaint that illegal immigrants have "cut to the front of the line" to get into the U.S.:
Illegal immigrants don't steal across the Mexican border because they lack the patience to wait their turn in line. They do it because there is no line for them to wait in. ...For most illegal immigrants, a legal option simply doesn't exist. Under current law, a young Mexican or Salvadoran who wants to improve his life by moving to America and working hard at a useful job generally has just two options: (a) Enter illegally, or (b) stay out forever. Several hundred thousand a year choose option (a).
Good point, and it underscores something I've said before: If you want to reduce illegal immigration, you must increase legal immigration.
Leave a comment