Deal with immigration issues

I am listening with much interest to the presidential debates/discussions. All the candidates have some good points. My question is: Should you not have to be in the United States legally to have the same rights as a citizen to schooling, health care, working privileges and, particularly, welfare benefits?

Why should an illegal immigrant (regardless of where they are from) get welfare, unemployment benefits or free health care? The thinking is: get in the United States, have a kid and I’m home free. Send them all back and let them enter legally.

Jack Whitaker
Jonesborough, Tenn.