To begin with - IF my family had to live in ANY country where they were in danger, or were terrorized, or stifled from improving our lives, I would do everything I could to get to America. I DO NOT blame anyone for wanting to come to America for a better life. That's exactly what our earliest citizens did!
But, our problem today is ILLEGAL immigration. I have commented to some that I could come with a better idea on fixing the illegal immigration problem than Obama (or Jeb Bush), or the host of other vocal politicians. So I'll give it a shot!
1. Close the border. TIGHT. Use the Military/National Guard on the border, and PROTECT our Nation's sovereignty. These troops would be protecting our border, not enforcing civil laws. They would be armed and have well defined Rules Of Engagement. Any need for arrest and detainment related to criminal actions, would be held until they could be turned over to appropriate law enforcement.
2. Institute a "worker" program, and only those with verifiable ID and criminal records checks, and a
sponsoring employer, can come in. Such employers would be required to provide health insurance for the worker, and pay no less than a current minimum wage! (Employers who violate this, would be HEAVILY fined, and business licenses revoked!)
3. Streamline the Citizenship application process. This is a must. Not to curtail all the requirements, but to enlarge the system so it moves people through the process within 2 years of application (or time enough for backgrounds be completed). All other requirements for citizenship to be followed.
4. ALL those here illegally now, would have 1 year to return to their home country, then stay there for at least 30 days before returning with verifiable ID. Criminal records checks would be done upon their return. With this, all those who wish to do so, would go to ICE/Homeland Security, state their purpose, and apply for a return visa. This permit to return, would be backed with with photo and fingerprinting. Those immigrants would then have up to 2 years to complete their citizenship process.
5. Those applicants who return would then be required to report to an ICE office once a quarter, and provide ICE with updated and verified addresses. All changes of address, shall be reported to ICE/HS within 30 days of the move.
6. Those who are conducting criminal activities while here, shall be dealt with in the courts, and
when their sentence is over, deported. Should they return, minimum 5 years minimum added to their criminal sentence, without parole, then deported again. Second offense would be 10 years for just the illegal re-entry.
7. Lastly, while controversial, I WOULD grant those children born on USA soil, temporary citizenship on a pending status, PROVIDED the parent(s) make application and satisfactorily attain citizenship within 2 years. If the parent fails to do so, all those non-citizens will be deported to their home country, and the child would have such citizenship status revoked. IF the child is of legal age, then that child/adult may apply for citizenship. This way, parents of such children would have a reason to assimilate into America, and have 2 years to do it. Once the parents are citizens, the children would automatically have their citizenship.
I am all for "legal" immigration. Our country is made up of people who have legally immigrated here from all over the world. "LEGAL" immigration is NOT the issue. The IL-LEGAL entry into the USA is the problem. I feel that practical solutions, with real incentives to follow the law, will go far in reducing the "illegal" immigration problem, while providing a legal avenue for those desiring US citizenship a way to do that.
There. Simplistic? Too much so? Perhaps. Welcome any comments or reasonable suggestions. But a plan like this, or SOME other "practical" plan is absolutely needed. We can't just keep good people in limbo for many years, and it only encourages ILLEGAL status/entry.
