Reply #1: The problem is that for the current legal-immigration quotas to work...

[DavidNY]

we have to assume a certain amount of illegal immigration. Cracking down on illegal immigration is only sensible if we also significantly increase the number of people allowed to immigrate legally; otherwise, the reduction in overall immigration caused by a crackdown on illegal immigration would hurt the economic strength and cultural vibrance of this country.

If you're for an increase in legal immigration, shifting people from the illegal to legal "side" so that they won't be invisible for purposes like the minimum wage is a reasonable proposal. But if you're just suggesting that people who want to make a better life for themselves and their children here are, in general, a cost that we can't afford, and should be kept out, I'm going to have to disagree with you.