(CNN) -- Pro-immigrant activists took to U.S. streets Tuesday to pressure the government to overhaul laws affecting immigrants. We asked CNN.com readers for their thoughts on the May Day rallies and U.S. immigration laws.
Below is a selection of their responses, some of which have been edited for length and clarity.
Eileen Schmidt of Hampton, New Hampshire
I have no problem with LEGAL immigrants, because unless you are Native American, you have an immigrant somewhere in the family tree. What I do have a problem with are people who come here ILLEGALLY, make money and send it to another country instead of putting it right back into the economy here. Do it right, or stay home. If we have no idea how many illegal immigrants are here, how do we know they aren't sneaking terrorists over the Mexican or Canadian border? We could be in bigger danger than losing a minimum wage job!
Rick Hale of Tustin, California
I thought we were a nation of laws. We don't need new ones, just use the ones we have. The rallies are the result of illegal immigrants, which has nothing to do with our legal immigrants. Tell me again, why do we need to import the poor?
Frank Romero of Las Vegas, Nevada
I am all in favor of closing all the loopholes illegal immigrants use, by enforcing existing laws, and passing new ones, if necessary. Seal the borders. It should be a felony to enter this country illegally, and all crimes illegal immigrants commit should be deportable offenses -- no exceptions. Companies that employ illegal immigrants should also be charged with aiding & abetting illegal immigration, and billed the deportation and incarceration costs. Change the law so that "Anchor Babies" can no longer be born here to illegals. If illegal immigrants are deprived of a way to make a living in this country (no jobs, housing, driver's licenses, cars, bank accounts, check cashing, and other services), the problem might begin to go away.
Shari M. of Boston, Massachusetts
I am the wife of an "accidental illegal." We received bad advice from an immigration attorney while my husband was in the U.S. on a visa. By the time we got good advice, he had overstayed and was stuck. If he left the U.S., he would be banned from returning for 10 years. This issue is NOT only about Mexicans crossing a border; this is about failed and confusing immigration policies. About families being separated and people who yearn to be productive, tax-paying Americans forced to live in the shadows or be separated from their families for a decade or more. This life is hard. And I'm so frustrated, being a college educated, tax-paying American who has no right to have my family together. Congress needs to get it together and ignore the "Mexicans are invading America" restrictionists -- the issue is so much deeper.
Kathleen Trombley of Eastpointe, Michigan
The illegal immigrants need to go back to their country and start the legal process of becoming a U.S. citizen. We need to check the background of all these people. If they are going to live in the U.S. or become a citizen, then they must leave their country's flag in their country.
The average American cannot take the burden of paying for the illegal immigrants' medical, housing and food costs. Not to mention the burden on our judicial system.
Stop the madness, they are illegal, how can they protest in our country? They do NOT have the rights covered by our Constitution until they become a citizen.
Govind Mahajan of Fairfax, Virginia
People know very little about the problems faced by the legal immigrants and shortage of green cards.
I am a legal immigrant from India. I came here 10 years ago on a visa. I did not get the green card yet. Because of the loopholes in the immigration process, I had to re-apply for green card and start the process all over again after switching to another company. I feel the green cards for the legal immigrants should consider the entry date into the country instead of green card filing date (Priority Date).
There are several bills in the House/Senate to address these issues to increase the number of green cards for legals. But these bills also offer amnesty for illegal immigrants. I am sure none will get passed because of the politics of illegals and I am going to suffer, and my future is tied with the amnesty of illegals.
Anthony Vanderheggen of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
The law should be enforced. The border is not protected. So after amnesty is given, in 10 years we'll just have another amnesty. Where does it end? The Democrats want their vote and Republicans cheap labor and the middle class is in the middle with no say.
Andrea Diaz of Chicago, Illinois
I have 3 children; my husband was deported in 2005. I am a resident alien; my husband provided insurance and everything else. I had to sell our home and get medical card for my children. I am trying to support my children and make them understand why our family had to be separated. Why we can spend millions of dollars on a war trying to help other countries to have freedom... when we don't have freedom in the U.S. Why not another amnesty?
Pam Austin of Sterling Heights, Michigan
Here's how I feel. I feel like I don't even live in the U.S. MYSELF anymore. I am a foreigner in my own Country. All the news, all the concerns are about people from the mid-east. I'm sorry, but I am SICK OF IT. Report on something else for a change will you please?
Kyle Jones of Los Angeles, California
Thousands of illegal aliens walking American streets waiving a Mexican flag is much more of a threat for me than any person in Iraq could ever be... am I the only person in America that understands this?
D. Ward of Springville, Utah
In the spirit of these pro-illegal alien rallies, (which they can only be since we support LEGAL immigration), U.S. citizens should boycott business that employ illegal aliens, year round. Citizens should take the initiative to report illegal employment to ICE.
Margaret Cadwallader of Feasterville, Pennsylvania
I work with MANY people who came to this country legally, often paying (bribes) for the privilege in their home country. Legalizing those who came here illegally broke the law (thereby making them CRIMINALS) and is a slap in the face of all of those who followed the rules and came here legally. Those here illegally need to go back to their home country and follow the process.
Jessie Hemmons of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
What I am wondering, is why no one considers the amount of jobs lost from technology and technological advancements? We berate immigrants for taking the jobs we just don't want as Americans, but never even questions the jobs lost from technology.
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