Granted, I only took a few minutes to jot these thoughts down, but so far they seem to accurately reflect my current perspective on the immigration issue.
The United States of America has an illegal immigration-undocumented worker problem. There are many millions of non-United States citizens roaming inside our nation’s borders. While some are here through valid and legal means, many are here unbeknownst to our government.
On one hand, having 11 - 20 million extra people in the system taxes an infrastructure that is already weak. Schools, hospitals, roads, law enforcement, welfare benefits -- et al -- are being stretched past their limits and the entire country suffers. These non-citizens do not know our inherent law-abiding nature; most U.S. citizens actually respect the law and want law enforcement. WE know that a bribe attempt will get us in more trouble (except in the movies). Many non-U.S. citizens expect police to be violent and corrupt, so are not honest and open about their motives or "rights."
On the other hand, these workers help do the tough, back-breaking labor that is hard to find others to do. Roofing, farming, and landscaping work that simply needs a physical body can find those willing to do these low-paying, laborious jobs. Many new homes are built by undocumented workers. When they buy any product locally, they pay local taxes on that product.
There have been several “comprehensive” immigration proposals in recent years, none of which came close to actually passing. Protecting our borders is one of the preeminent functions of the Federal government yet it is currently failing miserably at this.
What should be done?
1) Most here are undocumented workers. We should first acknowledge that most of the “illegal immigrants” are actually not in the U.S. to immigrate here at all. They are here to earn money and to send that money back to their country of origin, which, for the most part, is Mexico.
Forget all the naysayers who claim that some are simply moving here for a better life. “Some” is correct; a small sum.
2) We should document these visitors who only desire to work, and not immigrate permanently. I believe most will come forward if all we insist on doing is documenting them and being able to contact them.
3) Guest Workers will be allowed to stay for a limited period, say ONE YEAR, and then return to their home country. Just as any guest of a hotel or home is treated, the guest must check out when it’s time. New Guest Workers will take their places. Previous GW’s can re-apply every 3-5 years, depending on how well they follow the rules. If we can keep track of these workers, and they are in this country legitimately, they will more likely play by the rules.
4) Undocumented workers who do not come forward will be forcibly sent to the U.S. border nearest their home country; these negligent workers will be penalized by extending their re-application to return period. This may seem like a massive undertaking but it has to start somewhere. 200 per week; 2000 per month; whatever amount that can be managed. It is time to take deportation seriously. But how is this going to work any differently than it does now? The difference is the following: a) it will benefit the Worker b/c he/she will be legal and legitimate with little effort -- kind of like calling in to file an unemployment claim; b)local law enforcement must be brought into the picture. Currently, local police have a tenuous arrangement with ICE officials (Immigration and Customs Enforcement). Once we are on the same page, & we all agree something needs to be done, we can all work together.
5) Border security. As more of our armed service personnel are returning from overseas wars, they will provide border security, both on the North border as well as the South. Protecting our borders was a main purpose for the military (and the government) in the first place so that is where they belong.
6) For those foreign nationals who actually DO want to become citizens of the United States of America, the process should be easier. If a person has a clean criminal record and no history of terrorism, that person should be allowed to start proceedings to become a citizen, and not have to be wealthy to do so. Of course, there should be a valued scale to determine how important it is for you to join us. Those who offer highly valued skills should be given preference as are those who are fleeing from horrendous conditions inflicted by our enemies (Cuba, North Korea, etc.). People who simply try to buy their way in with cash should be automatically set back an extra year. The time expectancy for citizenship should be from 3- 5 years, NO MORE. All applicants must pass a legitimate and patriotic course on American History – not that anti-American crap now taught in schools. America has been an overall force for good, not evil. America has overcome great odds to become one of the most fair and prosperous countries on the planet – regardless what the revisionists want to tell us. Just ask the people fleeing their own countries.
That’s it. What do you think?
