Immigration. Should illegals be offered a path to citizenship?

There is a path for citizenship.

Why should those who have ignored the path and entered the country illegally (or have stayed past their legal status) be granted citizenship ahead of those who are trying to enter the country legally?

If you have kids do you reward the one misbehaving and punish the one who is not?

I have a strong opinion on this, but I am wanting to hear what others think on the subject. I married a woman from the Philippines. We crossed every T, dotted every I, paid every fee, filed every form and waited....and waited and waited. It took a year, but I finally got her and my son here, legally. We just went through the process again (x2) to get her parents here. Legitimately met all criteria and forms, fees, etc. etc....

I feel all immigrants should have to meet all the criteria as well BEFORE they are allowed to come here as permanent residents. This issue gets clouded in the case where a family may have three children (born here in the US) and have been here for years, but are still illegal. I feel a program should be in place to handle this situation, but only in the cases where the parents have been productive members of society and have not broken any laws.

I could go on...but I would like to see what others think. Thanks in advance, for responding.

SSG Red Hoffman - Only if they become legal and fulfill whatever requirements that would entail (fine, back taxes, etc.). The only thing they should get, if they are illegal, is jail or deportation.