>I don't know your experiences, but for some reason I just don't see you living in a hispanic neighborhood and having much direct contact with illegals. Then again, maybe they typed your books for you. Like I said, I don't really know.
>

I live in a mixed neighborhood, though there isn't much of a hispanic group here. My community includes whites, blacks and Asians (mostly Korean), Jews, gentiles, Buddhists, and others, and people at a variety of economic levels.

You're correct that I haven't had much (any?) direct contact with illegal immigrants. I've had plenty of contact with legal immigrants.

>I think that's great about your mother. Was she here legally when she went to school?

Yes. She and her siblings were orphaned by WWII (and the US's strict immigration laws played a part in their becoming orphaned). They came here after the war, sponsored by aunts and uncles who were already here.


>>Given that so many of the illegal immigrants have come here because they can't earn enough to live (or enough to advance in life) in their home countries, I see no reason not expect those families to save together to send their children to college.
>
>Great, are there no schools in Mexico? Why can't they go there? Oh, that's right, they need money. And the only place to get that is over here. Illegally. I get it now. Thanks!
>

Tried to find some statistics, but couldn't find anything quickly. The issue, of course, is opportunity, and apparently for poor Mexicans, despite the issues around being here illegally, the US provides a much better opportunity than staying in Mexico.

Have you thought about this part of the issue? Why would people take all the risks of getting here and being here illegally if there weren't a significant benefit to them?

Tamar