gnu - I meant it when I said, "Being in Canada, I can't imagine dealing with a multitude of illegals." I wouldn't know about the situation in Quebec or in Newfoundland. Maybe I should know, but I don't. I have been on the west coast, not the east coast. Thats where I've been.

On the west coast, we have alot of immigration but the bulk of it is legal. Every once in awhile, a situation will surface but all in all it seems under control.

The problems at the Canadian border do not compare to the U.S./Mexican border, even though our border is much longer. Which begs the question, why do Canadians have to go through so much heavy regulation at the border when Mexicans cross into the U.S. everyday in large numbers?

hesperis - Yes, marriage should entitle the spouse to Canadian citizenship and if I'm not mistaken, we still have the family unification program which includes grand-parents (as long as they can cover their own medical expenses). I have a nephew that just married a woman from Germany. She won't be arriving permanently until November, but she will be arriving legally.

As a Canadian citizen who first entered this country as a legal, landed immigrant, I don't think its too much to ask for others to do the paper work. I know there are exceptions but really, its not that hard.

The U.S. has to change its immigration policy. If children are born in the U.S. to Mexican parents, the parents should be given the opportunity to become U.S. citizens to keep the family together. If Mexicans are married to U.S. citizens, they should be able to stay. If they have a criminal record, they should go back. If they have no family in the U.S. they should go back and enter legally but with a special priority. Seasonal workers should be given work visas. Domestic help needs to be regulated by visas too.

All countries need to provide more adequately for domestic workers. Nanny's, cooks and housekeepers are often exploited. As are the seasonal farm labourers. I am more concerned about the living and working conditions of these workers than I am about what returning them or not returning them.

Whats wrong with your immigration system anyway? Why can't you keep that little bit of border secure. Sheesh.......and your worried about the Canadian border. Get your priorities straight and look at your own immigration policies and your southern border before you start criticizing Canada.