Immigration Part II

This immigration problem is really getting blown out of proportion, primarily because too many folks are using it to push some miopic agenda. In reality, the solution to illegal immigration and the 12 million already here is rather simple. We can get all the illegal immigrants to register, return home, then come back as INVITED visitors, and bring their families with them.

No need for fences. No need to deport too many. No need to grant amnesty. No need to double the border patrol.

We do not have to deport anyone except the criminals - all the others would self-deport and go home to their families if there were no money or services here for them. Period.

1) First we cut off access to any income and services by coming down hard on employers and any agency or local government that is providing services to illegal immigrants. They are then forced to go home.

2) Before they go home, they will have the opportunity to sign up for the guest worker program (they get registered, so we know who they are, and can do background checks).

3) They would then go home, and if they pass a background check, etc., within 6 months they would be legally invited back TO WORK - but not to become citizens.

They would be VISITORS (guest workers) only. Their stay would be limited to 2 years, at which time they must return home for not less than one year (so others can have the opportunity to come and work, as the workforce grows). If they do so, they will then be granted permission to return for another two years, and so on. During their stay, they must remain employed (self-supporting) and not commit any crimes. If they do not follow the rules, they would be deported and not allowed to return.

These guest workers may bring their families, PROVIDED they can provide for them, financially, so as not to be a drain on the resources of America. But whenever they return home, their families must return home with them. As visitors, they may work, earn, spend, pay taxes. But they would not be entitled to any "entitlements", which would be reserved for American citizens. They can only have whatever they can afford to pay for.

If they want citizenship, they must go through the same process as everyone else. To become citizens, they must learn to speak English, must learn American history, and pass through the same process as all others who have legally sought citizenship. Guest workers would not be obligated to learn English, but they would be encouraged to learn it.