Lee Adams: A plan for stemming illegal immigration
Immigration reform and how to deal with existing illegal aliens are two separate issues and dealing with them at the same time almost guarantees failure. Starting with the premise that neither political party has the stomach to deport 12 million people, the following moves, done concurrently, will solve part of the problem.
▪ Give illegal’s 90 days to register, be fingerprinted and provide enough information for a background check.
▪ Issue temporary ID cards allowing them to be employed pending investigation.
▪ Once the background check is completed, require them to start the process for US citizenship.
▪ Deport immediately anyone failing the background check.
Congress will first have to pass laws making it a criminal offense to hire unregistered illegals. The National Guard, and all available U.S. military must seal the border to stop a sudden inflow trying to beat the deadline. Anyone attempting to cross should be registered and fingerprinted and expressly forbidden from ever becoming a U.S. citizen. At the end of 90 days, remove all but the border guards. Return to the Bracero (guest worker) Program with better oversight and enforcement.
Deal with immigration reform at the same time, but as a separate issue. I would love to hear why this plan wouldn’t work.
Lee Adams, Oakdale
This story was originally published November 10, 2014 at 3:05 PM with the headline "Lee Adams: A plan for stemming illegal immigration."