- Make employers accountable and give them Internet based tools to verify residency.
- Secure both borders and both coasts.
- Streamline legal immigration and set limits based on worker demand and student vacancy.
- No prioritization for existing illegal immigrants and no amnesty for businesses breaking the law.
Immigration needs to be controlled and not eliminated. America was built by those seeking economic opportunity and freedom from oppressive governments. I do not believe in demonizing the American immigrant, but I do recognize illegal immigration is a growing problem. In era's past, America has been looked to as a beacon of prosperity and goodwill. The American Dream was something talked about not just by people living in our country, but by the poor, tired-huddled masses of all countries. Our Dream was one where, regardless of your circumstance, if you could put in an honest days work, you would find prosperity for you and your family. This Dream, this uniquely American Dream, was something that people of all nations held deeply in their hearts and worked as hard as they could to make it a reality for them, coming to this country, often at great personal risk, and taking what work came and building this nation economically. The image of America held in the hearts of people today has been tarnished by our foreign policy and needs to be mended. A comprehensive overhaul of our immigration policy is one of the best tools to mend that image with.
The cheapest form of immigration reform is giving tools to employers to verify residency, perhaps through a blind-verification website, then making them accountable. Most businesses are responsible and will utilize such tools in a regular fashion to make sure they are in compliance with the law. Businesses who do not act in a responsible fashion should be penalized. Eliminating the financial motivation will proactively reduce illegal immigration cheaply and significantly.
We need to craft legislation to deal with immigration in such a way that makes the United States inclusive and welcoming to people across our borders while at the same time taking into consideration American economic needs and our moral obligation to the world. For example, rather than sweeping it under the rug, the Federal government should issue proper green-cards, with tracking technology, to guest-workers, making this essential part of our economy legal. Border patrol and enforcement should be a responsibility of the Department of Defense and legal immigration should be based on demand, aided by a more streamlined system.
In regards to the existing tens of millions of illegal immigrants already here, they should not receive priority immigration (commonly referenced as amnesty) over people who have applied through legal methods. Also, they should not receive priority health nor education benefits over American citizens. However, I do not see how restricting benefits is reconciled against the 14th amendment of the constitution, which guarantees "life, liberty, or property" to all. I am not in favor of repeal of the 14th amendment, nor am I in favor of an additional amendment dealing with immigration.
Once a balance is found, the image of America in the hearts and minds of the people living abroad will only stand to gain. The American dream will once again be something to yearn for in the ghettos of the world and it will once again be something attainable.