by Daniel G. O'Leary

Created on: September 30, 2009   Last Updated: April 26, 2010

Mention the subject of illegal immigration in the U.S. in a crowd of family and / or friends and you will hear a variety of opinions that come from the hearts and minds of all those present. Few subjects manage to stimulate such passionate dialog so quickly, why is illegal immigration so controversial? If so many people have opinions about it, have an interest in it, why hasn't a solution been found or agreed upon?

One of the keys is the term, illegal immigration, it implies by name an act that is not authorized by the law. That alone, is a direct contradiction to our very nature of "We the People..." (as written in the Constitution). "We the People" live in the land of our choosing, governed by laws we have agreed upon, and are represented by fellow citizens that we have elected.

Article I Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution; "The Congress shall have the power to establish an uniform Rule of Naturalization...".

Key Criteria for citizenship was further detailed in the Naturalization Act of 1795; "...5 years of lawful residence... a good moral character attached to principles of the Constitution of the U.S. and well disposed to the good order and happiness of the U.S., ...the taking of a formal oath to support the Constitution and to renounce any foreign allegiance, the renunciation of any hereditary titles."

Plus current law is much more detailed, requiring competency in English language, excludes those who advocate Communism or violent overthrow of the government of the U.S., and expanded the oath to include; "...to support and defend the Constitution and the laws of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic...to bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and ...to bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by law...".

The citizens of this Nation have agreed to live within the law, to obey the laws. In return, the citizens of this Nation expect to feel reasonably safe in their homes, on their streets, in their schools, churches, places of worship. Most citizens will take added precautions within their homes to even better protect their families and keep their loved ones safe, like locking their doors and windows, thereby securing their perimeter.

If common sense helps and guides each one of us in our attempts to be safe by securing the perimeter of our home, should not the same common sense be applied to the notion that "We the People" should be and feel secure / safe within the borders of our country?

If a government cannot secure

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