As thousands of illegal immigrant children are crossing the U.S.-Mexico border, House Democrats pushed for more amnesty, guest-worker visas, $3.7 billion in funding, and more lawyers for illegal immigrant children during a Tuesday Twitter town hall on immigration.

Their message to illegal immigrants was, in the words of Rep. John Lewis (D-GA), “our doors are open.”

“We are all connected. We can’t just build a wall or a fence and say no more,” Lewis said. “This is America. Our doors are open.”

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), who has said she would rather pass amnesty legislation than become Speaker again, and Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) urged House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) to bring an amnesty bill to the floor so it can pass with support from Democrats. Boehner told Obama after House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) was ousted for his embrace of amnesty that Congress would not vote on an immigration bill this year. Boehner did suggest, though, that Congress could pass amnesty legislation next year.

House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD) claimed America already has “extensive border security” while Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-MD), a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, said the well-being of the illegal immigrant children “must be our first priority.”

Reps. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Steve Horsford (D-NV) pushed for more guest-worker visas, which are coveted by big-business and high-tech interests, that would lower the wages of American workers. Numerous scholars and studies have concluded that America has a surplus – not a shortage – of high-tech workers.

Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA) said taxpayers should pay for more lawyers for illegal immigrant children, and Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) went further, saying “every” illegal immigrant child should get legal representation.

Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-NY) insisted that amnesty legislation would “raise wages” even though the Congressional Budget Office determined that the influx of more foreign workers would lower the wages of American workers. For that reason, U.S. Civil Rights Commissioner Peter Kirsanow wrote a letter to the Congressional Black Caucus urging them to vote against amnesty bills that would detrimentally impact black Americans at the lower rungs of the economic ladder the most.

At least 57,000 illegal immigrants have crossed the border since October of last year, and federal officials expect at least 150,000 more to do so next year. Obama has requested $3.7 billion in emergency funds from Congress to deal with border crisis.

We are all connected. We can’t just build a wall or a fence and say no more. This is America. Our doors are open. #AskDems — John Lewis (@repjohnlewis) July 15, 2014

.@beautybell12 US already has extensive border security, but immigration policies that work are the real solution #AskDems #TimeisNow — Steny Hoyer (@WhipHoyer) July 15, 2014

. @TJones569 Yes, we need to match needs of our economy and our country’s values to our visa system. #AskDems — Tammy Duckworth (@RepDuckworth) July 15, 2014

.@MikeAP2 genuine reform means:helping employers,strengthening natl security & bring out of shadows those living & working here #AskDems — Rep. Joe Crowley (@repjoecrowley) July 15, 2014

.@TJones569 our overall visa process needs reform – H.R. 15 contains provisions to strengthen our workforce and help fix the system. — Rep. Steven Horsford (@RepHorsford) July 15, 2014

.@SD50DFL UN says Northern Triangle region has highest murder rates in the world. #ImmigrantChildren flee for safety. #AskDems — Judy Chu (@RepJudyChu) July 15, 2014

@ireadray #immigrationreform will create jobs, fuel innovation & small business, raise wages & reduce deficit by ~$1T #AskDems — Charles Rangel (@cbrangel) July 15, 2014

.@6nsinvt The welfare of #ImmigrantChildren, including their health, safety and educational needs, must be our first priority. #AskDems — Elijah E. Cummings (@RepCummings) July 15, 2014

.@6nsinvt Dems support WH request for add’l resources& House should pass it soon. Need to respond humanely to children @ the border #AskDems — Steny Hoyer (@WhipHoyer) July 15, 2014

We are talking about human beings, real people. We have to respect the dignity and worth of everyone. #AskDems — John Lewis (@repjohnlewis) July 15, 2014

.@jasonenright, we have a bipartisan bill: HR 15 w/ 200 cosponsors. @SpeakerBoehner needs to allow a vote now; it will pass! #AskDems — Nancy Pelosi (@NancyPelosi) July 15, 2014

.@SD50DFL I’d also say: US has long stood w/ those fleeing violence & persecution around world. Let’s not stop now. #AskDems — Rep. Joe Crowley (@repjoecrowley) July 15, 2014

.@SD50DFL Most get a hearing and/or interview with asylum officer where they can make claim of persecution and trafficking #AskDems (1 of 2) — Rep. Zoe Lofgren (@RepZoeLofgren) July 15, 2014