Aliens landing in droves in La Jolla is no different than Arizona’s plight. But you are right, people can only see the problem when it is affecting themselves. The reaction would be way different for those in La Jolla than it is now.

Most people in Arizona just want protection. Protect the border and provide a legal immigration route (orderly and through POE and with background check) for Mexican citizens to come and work. Greatly penalize anyone hiring around the system. Do these things and the problem is solved. What baffles me is that I don’t ever see Mexico helping with such a platform. They seem to always be stuck on having an open border. The way the Mexican citizens have to enter this Country is inhumane, yet the Mexican govt seems to support this as a way to keep the system.

In my experience, I don’t see most Mexican citizens as wanting US citizenship, just the perks that go along with the status. If most had the perks with a live/work visa, I think they would like to be able to travel back and forth from here to their home country. Obviously it is different for everyone, but I see a proud group of people who love their country but just can’t find jobs there.