You brought up some good points.

I've heard a couple of ideas about ET travel that dispels the idea that they have to travel for light years to get here: First is the idea that they travel through portals and therefore there is no travel in terms of a linear trip through space; and second is that they are not from other planets but rather live right here.

But I will repeat, I just don't know.

Two UFO sightings I had were completely clear and there is no confusing what I saw. At other times I saw lights and honestly can't say that they were crafts of any sort. When I lived in Arizona in the 90s there was a sighting by thousands of people, now called the Phoenix Lights. This was an undeniable sighting.

People at the top levels with above top secret clearance are constantly testifying to the existence of aliens right here living among us. Are they all lying? Just a few? None? I personally do not know so I can't say.