Sure there's an easy solution to the problem. Issue work permits to any immigrant that wants to work here, complete with a tax I.D. and deductions withheld. Then, come down like grim death on any employer who violates the law by hiring an illegal without a permt. Make stipulations that an illegal would have to return home every so often and have it renewed. (which any immigrant would be glad to do I think).

No fences, no fuss, no exploitation. A minimum wage could be set for immigrants. Incentives for speaking English, etc. Permits revoked for criminal behavior, and accrued points towards citizenship.

Why build a fence when they could place our military training facilities along the border and let them practice defending it? Kill two birds with one stone. They have to train anyway. Why not have them do something useful while they're burning up tax dollars?

Illegal immigration isn't a racial problem. It's a nationality issue. (Born two hundred miles farther south and my gringo ass would be Mexican.) If we would stop playing politices, stop kissing interest groups butts on both sides of the issue, and use a little sanity, this would be simple to deal with.