Immigration debate in the US is not a debate at all...it's a hysterical clamoring from right wing types spreading misinformation and bigotry guised as concern for the integrity of the US borders. The article linked to below has a comment section rife with just such rightwing blather and a comment I found amazingly refreshing and uncommon.

High court to look at state immigration laws

The comment:

Chris-749391

It defies all logic why the right wing nuts keep trying to blame this on Obama.

1) This situation exists because Reagan gave 4 million illegal immitrants unconditional amnesty and another 8 or so million "conditional amnesty." This created an expectation that if you came here, worked hard, and kept your nose clean that you would be allowed to stay. Reagan did this because the GOP wanted to cash in on the emerging legal Latino vote. (Illegals do NOT vote.) It didn't work.

2) So far the Obama administration has deported more illegal immigrants than the the entire eight years of GW Bush plus 4 years of GHW Bush and then some. On an annulized basis 2010 was 170% of the record year (2009) and 2011 is already waaaaay past 2010.

3) The recent "cessation" of deportation for certain people was done because right wing religious nuts decided it was a good idea to "out" members of the U.S. military who are illegal immigrants or are married to illegal immigrants --- a six digit number that the military cannot afford to lose. The only people not being deported are those in college with a 3.0 or better GPA, members of the military, spouses of members of the military, people whose residency paperwork has been submitted but not yet ruled on, and a handful (less than 10 so far) whose "community roots" are so deep that it would be inhumane (this latter group is primarily people who came here as infants and only speak English.) And even these people are not on a path to citizenship --- they are considered "stateless" persons with temporary residency and a green card to allow them to work.

4) I live in Tuscaloosa (Roll Tide) and the Alabama immigration law is a disaster. So far the biggest arrests have been a German executive from Mercedes who left his passport in his hotel room and a Japanese executive who had an international drivers' license that is not recognized by the new law. The Chinese government which had proposed building an autopmobile plant here is "reconsidering." State tax collections lost because of the flight of illegal and legal immigrants already exceed $100-$120 million a year. Losses to local governments from closure of Latino businesses and loss of taxes is estimated at around $200 million and losses to farmers and farm transportation is estimated at another $400 million a year. The state is now trying to figure out what to cut to make up for the losses and the most likely at this point is to cut ALL senior services programs completely. A property tax increase in many localities is being studied. The Tuscaloosa school systems have lost millions because of Latino student absenses and flight, almost certainly causing future teacher layoffs. Good work idiots!

5) And the idea that "work-site raids" have declined by 70% is pure Glen Beck BS. Work site raids are way up, as are fines and the use by employers of eVerify and other status verification tools. That is just knowing GOP lies thrown like bones to stupid dogs to keep them quiet. Work site raids have been predicted to decrease in the future by as much as 50% because under the Obama administration repeat offenders get automatic minimum penalties and the federal and state governments are now forbidden to refund the employers contribution to Sopcial Security and Workman's Comp premiums. Previously under GW Bush when a company like Armour Meats was raided and fined these "refunds" more than covered the fines. No more.

6) There is zero possibilty that Americans will step up and take the farm labor jobs that immigrants were doing. The reason is that state and local governments, often using the guise of keeping kids in school, set up a huge network of laws aimed at keeping migrant workers away from their towns. These laws were aimed at the dust bowl internal refugees (read "Grapes of Wrath") and are still on the books. Alabama, for example can put you in prison for 10 years if your kid misses more than 5 school days in a year.

7) One little example of how stupid the idiots that wrote the Alabama law are: The law says that you must carry your "green card" with you. The green card says on it that you should keep it in a safe place and never carry it around with you.

Immigration has become a kind of intelligence test for many. When I hear the people spewing hatred toward illegal immigrants and blaming Obama and claiming that nothing is being done, I know that they are either so misinformed, ignorant, deceitful, or stupid that they have no idea of reality. Trying to discuss anything with them is a waste of time. They simply do not have the capacity to understand even simple issues.

And remember, lack of social conscience is a character flaw, not something to be proud of.