We haven't had the problem of this magnitude 200 years ago, and at one time illegals were illegal and not welcomed here with instant benefits.
We have always had massive amounts of illegal immigrants coming into this country. We have always had Conservatives trying to make a big political issue out of it - because they have no real basis for running for office.
Yet, we have not had, and do not currently have any real crisis caused by illegal immigration. In fact illegal immigration has dropped over the past few years.
What we do have is a political crisis manufactured by the President and the Senate Majority leader. This constitutes an abuse of power by both of them.
Never give in to BLACKMAIL!