I've always thought of myself as an even-tempered middle of the road kind of guy, but there is one area where I embrace my inner radical. That is the realm of the immigration debate. I often talk about American ideals in terms of what we have believed dating back to the founding of this nation. However, my ancestry in this country barely scratches the century mark.
My grandmother was not worried about her valid passport while running through forests in Lithuania, nor was she thinking about her valid visa as she hid as a stow away on the boat that eventually brought her to Ellis Island. I take it as a core principle in America that one is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. As such, the burden is on the government to prove someone doesn't belong.
Another problem with calling these people "illegals" is the fact that many of them came here with their parents when they were minors. As such, they lack the Mens rea, or guilty mind required to commit a crime. Therefore, by definition, all children brought into this country cannot be held criminally liable for their presence.
There is more to this debate that needs to happen, but I wanted to get some thoughts on the record early.