Immigration
Looking at the news today it seems the latest compromise on immigration reform has failed.
In looking at possible solutions I must admit to having mixed views as the legalist in me fights with the pragmatist in me.
I am a firm supporter of legal immigration. Our nation was built on the concept that the peoples of the world should come here and build a better life. But part of the deal is that you obey the law. Those who come here in violation of the law demean those who went through the proper process. That's what the process is there for.
So my basic instict is to say if you came here illegally you should be made to leave and go through the proper channels.
However it is here that the pragmatist in me takes over.
Right now the estimate is there are 10 to 15 million illegals in this country out of 300 million people. They are spread out across the country and have spent years learning how to hide.
So as a practical matter how do we find these 10 or 15 million people and how do we go about getting them out of the country ?
It would take a massive program that would cost billions of dollars to accomplish this and it could take decades.
While they did break the law, many of these illegals have become, to one degree or another, productive members of society.
Therefore I do think we need to take a pragmatic approach to this problem. Work with those who want to become part of the system and work out a program of amnesty. Not an out and out free pass, but a program where they pay penalties and work through the citizenship process.
For those who do not choose to participate, we can and should deport them.
In looking at possible solutions I must admit to having mixed views as the legalist in me fights with the pragmatist in me.
I am a firm supporter of legal immigration. Our nation was built on the concept that the peoples of the world should come here and build a better life. But part of the deal is that you obey the law. Those who come here in violation of the law demean those who went through the proper process. That's what the process is there for.
So my basic instict is to say if you came here illegally you should be made to leave and go through the proper channels.
However it is here that the pragmatist in me takes over.
Right now the estimate is there are 10 to 15 million illegals in this country out of 300 million people. They are spread out across the country and have spent years learning how to hide.
So as a practical matter how do we find these 10 or 15 million people and how do we go about getting them out of the country ?
It would take a massive program that would cost billions of dollars to accomplish this and it could take decades.
While they did break the law, many of these illegals have become, to one degree or another, productive members of society.
Therefore I do think we need to take a pragmatic approach to this problem. Work with those who want to become part of the system and work out a program of amnesty. Not an out and out free pass, but a program where they pay penalties and work through the citizenship process.
For those who do not choose to participate, we can and should deport them.
posted by TR at 8:44 PM
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