My maternal and paternal grandparents never were able to earn citizenship because each of them spoke Polish, but never became fluent in English.
Is it too much to ask of these people to expect them to speak English before they are granted citizenship? And why are there ballots in many areas printed in multiple foreign languages??

There. Already. Is. A. Path. You. [Extensive, colorful, energetic, still-short-of-complete string of adjectives has been pre-deleted]. Morons!

The reason why the Democrats want just about all illegal aliens who are here now, or who would come here in the future to be granted US citizenship is because the Democrats consider them to be prospective Democrat voters as historically about 80% of such legalized aliens have always voted for the Democrats.

Legalization wise Republicans should only support a conditional immigration status for longtime illegal aliens who do not have criminal records. That status should allow them to stay here, be able to work, and to travel to and from the USA as long as they abide by the immigration laws. They should not be eligible to access government supported social welfare programs, or bring additional alien family members into the USA.

If they wish to move further along in the legal US immigration system towards permanent residence and US citizenship, all legalized aliens who have that conditional immigration status should first have to qualify for an immigrant visa, as all legal immigrants must do today, that´s only fair. Once they receive permanent residence (a green card) those aliens should be treated as all other permanent residents are treated, and be eligible to apply for naturalization after 5 years as all other permanent residents can do if they wish.

If the Republicans go along with any sort of Democrat path to citizenship amnesty, before the Republicans will know what hit them, the Democrats will have registered 10 million or so new voters even before they ever become actually eligible to vote.

"Are there options that we should consider between the extremes of mass deportation and a pathway to citizenship for those not lawfully present in the United States?"

No need for a mass deportation, you ridiculous moron. Enforce the laws, fine and imprison those who employ illegals, jobs dry up, they go HOME, you brainless twit!

#4 takes a deserved lit match to the Straw Man. Good post.

Does ANYONE really believe it´s only 11 million - my guess would be double that at the least!

he didn´t see a pathway to citizenship as "an extreme option," pointing out Congress previously chose that option and argued it has worked.

Riiight...if by worked you mean "gave citizenship to millions of lawbreakers, many of whom were not eligible by the terms, then enticed many more millions to break our laws waiting for the next free-for-all"

"They want to be treated with respect, they want to be able to come out of the shadows..."

Respect is earned in this case, it is earned by compliance with all of our laws.

"Are there options that we should consider between the extremes of mass deportation and a pathway to citizenship..."

A simple solution would be to say (and enforce) one simple rule...if you go home (self-deport at your own pace) and start over before we prosecute you, you have a chance, if we catch you in our country without a visa, you will never be eligible for citizenship.

Hows about a "pathway" to legal status...residency and a green card that can never lead to citizenship, government benefits or voting rights because you didn´t comply with our laws?

Heck, legalize them all, BUT as a penalty for coming here by breaking the law, the penalty is no voting for 25 years.

#8: Even if it stopped the amnesty recipients from voting [huge "if"], it wouldn´t stop the Dems from counting their votes. 2 or 3 times, even.

As soon as you give them legal status, they are eligible for Obamacare.