Bernie, as usual I agree with you 100% in that I think what you're saying is that the immigration screening system and indeed, the entire immigration system needs a MAJOR overhaul. Yes, sadly quotas are probably a necessary part of a successful immigration system, and that's because NO country has unlimited resources to help ALL of the world's disenfranchised. Also, the burden, and it is a burden, should be shared/distributed throughout the country and not just borne by the border states. But that would be part of the re-vamping process of the immigration system.

I also applaud you for showing empathy instead of hate for these poor people and pointing out what should be obvious to most people; that for the most part, the problem is the system, not the poor people trying to navigate it. I say, whichever party you belong to, let's all push our elected officials to make immigration reform one of our highest priorities.

I'm not religious, as you know, but I do believe in the "do unto others...." philosophy.

chas