This article from the NYT destroys the myth many Americans have that illegal immigrants steal our benefits. As it turns out, illegal immigrants pay billions of dollars into federal and state treasuries and get little or no benefits (especially with respect to social security).
Therefore, I urge all Kossacks and other Americans who have visceral reactions against illegal immigration to be more thoughtful and careful in their use of language. The problem is not "them". The problems lie with us. We want their cheap labor; we want them to pay taxes; but we don't want to offer them any rights because they are "breaking the law". We have to address our own hypocrisy before we can deal effectively with the problem.
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/05/business/05immigration.html?pagewanted=2&hp