And because I'm not knowledgeable, for another. If you were talking about what I think you were, however, bear in mind how often I've publicly said, regarding Americas immigration woes, that amnesty is a slap in the face to those who invest the time, money and energy to immigrate legally just because they aren't willing to introduce themselves to a new country with a criminal act. Then bear in mind that I coughed up $500 to get here, and succeeded in no small part due to indirect connections to an immigration lawyer who could literally explain the immigration laws to the woman who initially denied my visa (she actually thanked him for correcting her ignorance at one point. ) Further consider that it'll be at least a year before I can even apply for university, because I need some kind of residence permit first and can't even apply for one until two weeks after next falls admissions deadline. Also consider that in my NATIVE country, if someone returns home via deportation the State Dept. revokes their passport and they'll never get another. Ever.

Now consider that, from what I'm told, someone who entered the country illegally, ignorantly or not, was made aware of her illegal status yet obtained a masters degree from the state university before declaring herself an illegal immigrant via a book that's reportedly selling quite well, and STILL THINKS SHE SHOULD BE ABLE TO STAY! In looking over the local universitys admissions process I noted a warning that limited space makes it "highly competitive", thus for all the hypothetical abstractions about illegal aliens abusing the system at taxpayer expense in America, someone who'd otherwise have received a university education here was instead denied one because someone here illegally took their spot at a taxpayer funded university. The penalty for that is a trip to Moscow and expedited legal reentry as a resident, or a lifetime without a university degree and commensurately higher earnings, depending on whom you are. What kind of hypocrite would I be if I said this is OK? If I'D pulled that the US would never allow me to leave again, let alone return to Norway. Maybe I should write a book....

Remember: I WARNED you!