I went to a march for the rights of the undocumented, and I saw a counter-protester holding up a sign that said "have you ever been raped by an illegal immigrant"..

Well, if you where an illegal immigrant than you may have and maybe have not even reported it.

It's abhorrent that crimes go unreported and the same sector of people get discriminated upon and abused...year after year. yet people scream and protest and hate upon the undocumented.

lower class?

racism?

boredom?

stupidity.

these illegals are here to stay. and they are not leaving. legalize /make them pay tax and protect civil liberties and basic human rights.

Because what is good for you is good for EVERYONE in every community.

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This was an excellent article and interview, as well as my introduction to Peter Orner, whose works I look forward to acquiring and perusing.

Another author spiked my interest in this topic almost 25 years ago. I've never forgotten the profound effect he had on my thinking relative to illegal immigration.

In his 1984 book, "Lines and Shadows," renowned writer Joseph Wambaugh chronicles the terrifying, perilous, often-tragic experiences of illegal immigrants crossing the border from Mexico into southern California.

The non-fiction work also tells the fascinating story of a since-disbanded police task force charged with intervening on behalf of the immigrants, attempting valiantly but hopelessly to protect them from the "coyotes," the evil men, lying in wait as they attempted to make their way to this country of immigrants.

If nothing else, the book offers a fascinating glimpse into the psychological trauma the police effort-- and the immigrants' predicaments-- visited upon the law enforcement officials who tried to assist them.

In this day and age of border fences, Homeland Security, and Lou Dobbs, it's hard to believe that U.S. public policy, even such as that limited to San Diego, CA, ever considered the humanity of the men, women, and children who journey here.

Nowadays, we view these people in terms of stolen jobs or drained benefits or, of all things, leprosy-- these gentle, friendly, hopeful people whose hard work contributes so much to the economic and personal well being of so many.

"Lines and Shadows" gave me my first real encounter with the plight of illegal immigrants. Wambaugh's candid narrative, sympathetic portrayal, and soul-searching perspective elicits empathy and horror in all but the hardest-hearted among us.

It's time for a new immigration policy in this country, one which fully appreciates the human tragedy at play here-- from the U.S.- Mexican border to the poultry-processing plants in Iowa.

Two points:

(1) Ilegals are breaking our established laws to slip in. If they want to be treated as legal immigrants, they should simply follow applicable laws. Then, they will have abundant legal remedies available plus the respect of the populace already here.

(2) Waving their homeland's flag (Mexico, Dominican Republic, et al) while demonstrating in America will not win them good will from the locals; those who live here think that if they love their "homeland" so damned much, let them please go back there...stat!

Other than my two native-American ancestors in 1620's Massachusetts and Virginia, my European ancestors came in through the front door beginning in 1607 at Jamestowne; they didn't slither in under the back fence from Mexico.

You want respect as immigrants? Follow established immigration laws!

Moving article, and nice letters mhoss and Jacksonian. I wish more of the many articulate and intelligent members of Salon would engage in thoughtful discussion of these kinds of topics. But thanks anyway, for continuing to put them forward.

Between this article and the one yesterday on Guantanamo, I am reminded of the pigs in Orwell's Animal Farm. They changed the ideals of the animal society from "all animals are equal" to "some animals are more equal than others" to justify their oppression of others. I don't think the US has followed this same path -- the ideals of "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" have been applied to greater segments of society (slaves, women, native americans, gays (sort of)...) only though strife, struggle, and intense advocacy.

Improving the plight of illegal immigrants won't be easy and will take the same kind of struggle and strife. But it is only through sharing these kinds of stories that we continue to expand the circle of humanity (undocumented immigrants, prisoners, people in other countries) to which these ideals apply. Let's keep it up.

Then let's seal our borders!

Why are we even having this discussion? We're not helping people by turning a blind eye, allowing them to come into this country to be exploited.

In the meantime, they're taking jobs from Americans!!! And don't give me this shit that they're "only doing jobs Americans won't do!"

There's at least three million homeless people in America who would take farm, restaurant and construction work. They're not getting those jobs because as American citizens, they're entitled to a minimum wage, workman's compensation and the right to organize and bargain collectively.

The very reason American employers love illegals is because if they give you any shit, like demanding their legal rights, you can have them shipped back wherever they came from.

One last thing - as the proud father of a Ukrainian immigrant, let me say that if anyone called me anti-immigrant to my face, that it would be fighting words. No amount of apologizing or take-backs would save you from a major ass-kicking.

But if you want to come to this country, do it legally. Otherwise, you're nothing but a trespasser and I really don't have any sympathy for you.

my European ancestors came in through the front door beginning in 1607 at Jamestowne

Since the original Jamestowne settlers were attacked by the native population 2 weeks after they landed it can be assumed that those settlers didn't ask the indian immigration authorities if they had permission to enter the country. One could even say that if those European immigrants came through the front door it was because they came with their guns drawn ready to shoot whoever stood in their way.