You should look at what the requirements look like for an immigrant Visa. The average person in South America does not have the ability to satisfy those requirements. But that doesn’t mean they are unable to become a valuable and contributing member of society.

I know people in the US that came here illegally and have gone on to become business owners. But only because they were able to meet and marry a US citizen.

There needs to be a legal path to entry. And we should be stopping the flood of people coming over the border at the same time.

Eh, but how much of that is tourist visas. And where are they coming from.

I’m of the opinion that an open border with Mexico is an issue. Which just should not be controversial.

But I’m also married to someone who entered with a tourism visa. Legal immigration is nearly impossible in the US. There are very very few options for a person to enter the country and be on a path to a green card. Saying otherwise is purely ignorant.