[thecavemaster]

All he was saying was that just because an activity is motivated by economic desperation does not make it right. Both sneaking into this country, and stealing from others, are both illegal per our country's laws. Whether or not they are considered ethically acceptable when one is faced with a desperate situation could be debated.

Lots of criminals throughout history have probably committed acts of theft, robbery, and even murder, all because they have found themselves in a bad economic position. Does that make it okay to break the law in those conditions? The analogy of illegal immigration to stealing is indeed a valid one.

Again, when your children are hungry, you don't exactly have the luxury of debating "ethical acceptability." For me, illegal immigration is a bit deeper than a simple is it "right" or is it "wrong" equation. I think it would be helpful to get to know actual flesh and blood illegal immigrants, live among them and see what they have to endure. Is Robin Hood the same as the Enron executives who swindled millions? Or, does motive, intent matter? If stealing is stealing is stealing, then Robin Hood and Al Capone are no different.