We need to decriminalize minor marijuana and other petty drug use so we can make space in our prisons for "other than Mexican (and Central American) border invaders (especially if they come from suspect parts of the world).
We definitely need to defend our borders, but until we get the fences/electronics up, we should work a deal that if the Coyotes (guys who smuggle illegals) will tip us off to potential terrorists they are transporting, we will pay a reward. Of course, this will probably send more of them to Canada for border crossing, but that is a separate problem. Actually, Dean as former governor of Vermont may already be somewhat sensitized to this issue on a practical level.
If legislation is approved to allow people already in the country to become legal, it should include a stringent provision to learn English, and American civilization. When my grandparents came to the US in the 1890s, they wouldn't even let their children speak German in the home. As a result, I was almost 40 before it struck me that I was a second generation American. People who want the benefits of America should be willing to work for the priviledge. On the other hand, as another FR thread said about many of the Hispanic immigrants--"family oriented, hard working, religious, what's not to like?"