[smoyer]

Perhaps by "living legally" he meant he'd never been in trouble with the law? That he was a productive member of society?

I don't necessarily agree with the immigration laws in the U.S., but I think you have to live within the laws a country has instated.

[felideon]

I think in this context, "living legally" means you are not Out-of-status by overstaying an I-94, issued to you by the USCIS (fka INS) officer at the point of entry.

IANAL.