people  tell (and are encouraged to tell) themselves that these people are illegals who are tryng to take advantage of us, who secretly despise us  and will destroy our culture and our economy if given half a chance.

I don't understand how people can put that spin on it but I agree some do.    In the case of the Syrian refugees let them watch footage of the families carrying children and maybe only one little bag of possessions walking out of Hungary to .....   anywhere ........as they are so afraid and desperate.  Let these protestors  walk in another's shoes .........  I know how I'd feel suddenly uprooted from my home  and familiarity being forced  to escape and having no idea what would become of me.