[Sundae]

Am I missing the point here? If "illegal aliens" are currently contributing to the state but still costing the local government billions of dollars, surely the only sensible move is to get them to stop being "illegal aliens"? And isn't it logical that if an incentive is offered it will encourage more people to take up the offer?

There are all sorts of benefits that I would appreciate and I don't receive. But I understand that they are being offered as a short term perk in order to benefit the city/ county/ country long term.

I admit a fair degree of ignorance about the American immigration system, so I do expect my answer is too simplistic.