Four Major Myths of Opponents to Comprehensive Immigration Reform: Part 2

Mr. Price:

Thank you for your constructive comments and thoughts. Anything we can do to identify illegal aliens who have committed violent crimes or are members of violent drug dealing gangs, etc. and deportation has all of our support. I believe that part of smart enforcement, in addition to significant increases in funding for the construction of many miles of double layered fence and other hardening of the borders, will be an enhanced, biometric, work authorized document (perhaps an upgraded social security card) by which employers can effectively identify whether or not the job applicant is authorized to work in the United States.

I think the crux of the differences is your question of how we “do something with illegal aliens who are in this country that would allow them to stay but not reward them for illegal behavior.” One thing is certain; there has to be some incentive for illegal aliens to come forward, register and identify themselves, essentially to surrender, and I believe the right balance is that we enact a law that sets a date by which all illegal aliens are required to be fully identified, photographed and fingerprinted. The only carrot will be that they get a status that allows them to continue to work and stay in the country. Think about that. What they are getting in exchange is what they effectively already have. They are already in the country and they are already working, if not they wouldn’t be here. Work authorized status will in fact allow them to work for better wages, thus be less likely to “undermine” wages for those U. S. workers who may be competing for the same job.

To be able to extend that status for several years or more, periodically the individual must be able to affirmatively establish that they are not subject to any disqualifying criminal record, that they have paid all U. S. taxes, that they have enrolled in/or passed an English language and civics program and, most significant, that they pay some significant fine for having violated the immigration laws of the United States. A significant civil fine is the only penalty that probably would work, is in the economic interest of the United States and is consistent with the fact that in our criminal jurisprudence system, many significant violations, both civil and criminal, that do not involve violent behavior, are ultimately resolved by the imposition of a significant fine.

Those illegal aliens who comply would be eligible for extensions from time to time and once all of the conditions have been complied with, those illegal aliens who so desire will be able to apply to become Lawful Permanent Residents of the United States, but will not be able to “cut in line” and qualify any sooner than those foreign nationals currently “in line.” On that basis, it would be at least 10-15 years before any of those individuals would be able to seek Lawful Permanent Residency.

Furthermore, once someone is working in the U. S. legally and has the right to work temporary and to return home, a large majority will never choose to apply for Lawful Permanent Residency. They will work temporarily, maintain family ties, save their money and go home and are more likely to strengthen the economy of their own countries. In the end, that will be one of the best hopes of reducing illegal immigration. If Mexico and Central America were able to develop their countries like China and India are doing, it would be far less likely that their workers would have to seek employment in the U. S. economy.

Again, thank you for your constructive comments.