"If he arrived after January 2004, he'll have to leave."

and who will see to it that he does? And if he does, will he come back again illegally? etc.etc....and how do folks with no papers and who have been in the shadows prove they were here before April 2001?

I never claimed or even considered that "easy citizenship" was the main problem. The ongoing problem will be how to deal with those who do not fit the citizenship criteria, but still intend to come here on an 'indefinately extended temporary' basis.

If proof of English ability were REALLY enforced, we could make serious inroads on part of the problem, but even around here it is not well monitored, and in L.A. or Miami or Brownsville it is a joke.

What we have is 'official' estimates of 8-10 million currently illegal, and up to 20 million by educated guesses....and more millions wishing they could make it.

But, as we see from today's news, the Senate cannot agree on ANY method of creating a fair system.