Right, Wrong, or Borderline? (2)

Mexico President Felipe Calderon's recent speech regarding illegal immigration has brought up a recurring dilemma. Should the United States permit thousands of Mexicans living illegally in the U.S. or should they all be deported? How easy should it be to gain entrance to the land of freedom and opportunity? What is the answer to this perplexing problem?
The answer is simple: grant green cards to the right people and prevent the wrong people from gaining access to America. Very idealistic (translated highly probable). The only way to solve a problem of this nature is by correctly balancing grace - amnesty in government terms - and the law. Unfortunately this solution is unattainable by mere mortals. The complexity of a problem like this reduces the probability that a satisfactory outcome will be arrived at by the parties involved. I will therefore not attempt to provide a solution.

My thoughts on illegal immigration:

(1) It's important to respect the laws of the land. It goes against the laws of America to enter the borders without a proper visa.

(2) Immigration officers can sometimes be downright mean. Friendlier officers could result in legally admitting the correct people into the States. Then the government could deport all the bad ones.

(3) Personal situations are the driving force behind the actions of those crossing the borders to find work. They may be leaving a life of utter hopelessness behind, or they may be supporting a family back in their home country. It is a terrible thing for a bureaucratic machine to decide the future of a family.

(4) President Calderon mentioned that illegal residents contributed to the economy. This should be no reason to allowing law-breaking.

From personal experience, the desire to stay in a place where one has the right, in a much greater magnitude, to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, it can be very tempting go against seemingly foolish laws to remain in that position. The long-term complications may or may not be worth it.