George Pyle: They are people and they are here

“They are people, and they are here. If there’s any other requirement, I haven’t heard it.”— John AdamsThe pugnacious Founding Father was explaining how slaves living in the 18th century colonies were properly described as Americans. But the sentiment applies as well to today’s controversy over how we treat people who are living in our country without the required permission and paperwork.(If, that is, Adams ever really said this. It’s from the play and