There are things I gave up, including those things, to become a permanent legal resident of the USA. I am not complaining about the immigration process, however, don't think for a moment that people who are trying to become legal, have a smooth ride and when an applicant is trying to become legal and can't work, but an illegal get's a free pass to do so, there is something vastly skewed about the system.
Sammie, your sitch is completely different from mine and most anyone's who came here legally to begin with. But I HAVE had many family members go through it too from start to finish, like yourself. It wasn't easy but it was do-able. There are things people sacrifice. My dad sacrificed to bring us here too. I commend you for doing it legally. Once you are legal for 5 years you can apply for citizenship and it will be MUCH easier than what you've already had to accomplish.
I don't think illegal people should get a "free pass". I think they shouldn't be practically recruited to be here and be exploited and then blamed for the country's problems. The abundance of cheap labor jobs for them is what draws them here. Employers should face the collapse of their businesses and jail time and the problem would be solved. Arizona is trying to blame everything on the illegals themselves when all they are doing is filling the demand for their labor. If Arizona was truly interested in correcting the problem, they would make a law against hiring these people with stiff penalties for doing so. Instead of throwing illegals in jail, throw their employers in jail.
Cut the demand for cheap labor. Without the demand we would find it much easier to patrol the borders because the only ones trying to cross it would be for shady purposes. No one else would find it appealing.