Taki,

You may be right that governments don't really care, however individuals (citizens) in many countries still do care and those individuals can vote and can replace leaders with those who at least claim to care about immigration. Certainly there is enough protectionist feeling in the United States to make this a hot issue. Although a stance on immigration won't win an election by itself, it may help decide a close election where other factors are somewhat equal. Certainly, in some states, immigration is a bigger issue than in others.

Some states have passed laws that would prevent illegal immigrants from receiving any type of (state) governmental assistance including medical treatment or education. Some states require state employees to inquire as to the immigration status of people they come in contact with. Certainly laws like these are passed with popular support and mean that at least in some areas, this topic is important.

-- Jeff

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"Government is not the solution to our problem, government is the problem." --Ronald Reagan