[P-40]

Are you suggesting that it's too late to fix at the state level, but can be addressed at the federal level?

Probably neither, but then I am cynical these days. In my state things may get fixed because we simply do not have the money it will take to sustain the problem and the people paying the bills are getting a little ticked off. We also don't have the "you are Hispanic so you must support illegal immigration" problem that more urbanized states have. But then, many of the "fixes" we would need at the state level would require breaking federal laws...and on the federal level, I don't see anything positive happening until things have gotten so bad that people are rioting in the streets and that will result in a temporary patch at best. Hopefully, the conservative Republicans, and the conservative Democrats, in the southern states will get the ball at least rolling. I'm not holding my breath though.

[r9etb]

I think you're probably too cynical, though it could certainly get as bad as you suggest. The problem is addressable even now -- a reasonably-effective guest worker program would probably do the trick: ensure that Americans hire only registered "guests" (which can be done via internet!); and make sure that the "guests" are taxed, through witholding.

Taxes will address many of the imposed costs; registration and tracking addresses the national security issues; and registration and witholding requirements address the financial incentives for businesses to hire illegals or guests.

But supposing you're right, and the problem cannot be fixed: wouldn't it make more sense to make the best of it?