*sigh* this debate about illegals seems to polarize folks. It is not a simple issue. Yes, of course in some areas the economy has 'absorbed' many illegals and to suddenly deport them all would cause a serious blow to the working of the system.
And, yes...I know 'most' of them are just plain, honest folks trying to better themselves and provide for their families. But emphasizing only THAT set of facts ignores the genuine problems. In my area, 10 minutes drive from me, is Holy Cross hospital. Last year there was an article in the paper about how they were facing serious ER conflicts & overcrowding, and were having financial problems because of illegals with no insurance using the ER as their main doctor.
Add to that the extra expenses for the school system and the VERY real rise in crime rate directly linked to illegals, and you have a real dilemma.

*IF* it is true that we need a certain amount of temporary ...or even semi-permanent, labor in certain industries, WHY can we not work out how to control it and limit the influx to invited and screened immigrants?

....and 12 more paragraphs of obvious arguments, explanations & suggestions which have been mentioned many times.
California, Texas, Florida...etc. have grown a bit more 'used to' the situation, but it is beginning to swamp us 'up here' where is rather new.

One nearby county has recently begun heavy enforcement of strict laws, and the sheriff was just interviewed, saying "We noticed that once we did this our crime rate dropped by (25%?), while that of nearby jurisdictions went UP by comparable amounts. Folks were just moving as far as they needed to."

So.... that's more than 2 cents worth...but...