Ramesh: I think you (or Jonah’s corresponent, or possibly both) are on thin
ice here. “One other point Jonah’s correspondent makes is unquestionably
true: It would be silly to object to the legalization of previously illegal
acts on the ground that legalization would ‘reward law-breaking….’” I do
not believe that anyone — not even George W. Bush — is proposing total
repeal of the laws against entering our country illegally, along the lines
of the repeal of Prohibition, so that what was once illegal now becomes
perfectly legal. So far as I know, entering our country without permission
or approved documentation will continue to be illegal. I don’t think anyone
has suggested otherwise. (Although, reading some of the
anti-”anti-immigration” commentary that is beginning to show up, I would not
be very surprised if someone soon DID.)