I don’t know much about the immigration numbers but what I do know is that it is impossible to deport all illegal immigrants.
When starting a solution to illegal immigration the first thing that needs to be addressed is the border. Border security is imperative and it is not only important from an illegal immigration standpoint but from a national security standpoint. In South America there are a few countries who hate America (Venezuela) and are friends with Americas enemies, Iran for example. Hezbollah is known to have a presence in South America and they don’t exactly like us and wouldn’t mind causing America some harm. Currently our southern border is practically a two way open border which is a perfect way for jihadists to get into our country.
After the border is secured then it is possible to start talking about a solution to the illegal immigrants who are already here. The first fact that needs to be acknowledged is that any illegal immigrant who came here of their own volition has broken federal laws and is a criminal and if they were deported and returned it is a felony. I suggest that those who were brought here as minors should get the ability to get residency but never citizenship unless they serve in the military.
I understand that it is impossible to deport all illegal immigrants and nobody wants amnesty without penalty but something must be done. In middle of writing this I watched Senator Marco Rubio’s speech to the Hispanic Leadership Network and he proposed a guest worker program and streamlining the visa process. He also said a large reason for illegal immigrants not wanting to leave is that getting a visa costs so much and is so hard to get they won’t leave for fear of not being able to return. As conservatives we believe in market principals and this is a clear case of market principals working against Americas interests. I believe it will take market principals to clean up the illegal immigration mess. I propose that as part of a guest worker program we offer to current illegal immigrants the first shot at spaces in the guest worker program. It would require they return to their home countries first and pay any taxes owed. I know it is a bad idea to reward lawbreakers but it is impossible to get illegals to come forward without an incentive and people who are here have roots and know the communities they have been in so the learning curve with integrating into America would be less.
Bottom line if the border is secured and current illegal immigrants have incentive to be documented it would go a long way to know the effects of immigration on our economy and our national security.
All feedback is welcome.
All feedback is welcome.
Here is Marco Rubio's immigration speech http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jkUPQA9ApM&feature=player_embedded
