The national discourse over the issue of illegal immigration came to the streets Massapequa Park Village this weekend as hundreds opposing stiffer immigration laws and closer monitoring expressed their dissatisfaction in front of Congressman Peter King's office on Park Boulevard. Like many Americans, we were left scratching our heads. What exactly are they protesting?

Do they want America to simply open its doors and let everyone in indiscriminately? Do they want us to legitimize millions who entered this country illegally and simply disregard the laws we have in place? Do they want businesses to continue to hire illegal immigrants at menial wages and at the expense of American jobs? Do they want Americans to continue to pick up the cost of providing free health-care, education and other services without so much as a whimper of concern or complaint?

Frankly, the position of those who would give illegal immigrants a free pass and do nothing to ensure that the mistakes we have made in this country in the past do not doom us all to a country without a core culture are beyond the pale of reason. We need to take a tough stance on illegal immigrants and ensure the security of our borders. We need to enact tough legislation that deals with the issues and problems within those borders as a result of decades of turning our heads from the problem. It's up to our lawmakers in Washington to do that, and up to us as citizens to ensure they do.