So long as illegal immigration is winked at by the Federal government and foisted on states by mandate, there is no upside either way. If you don’t count them, less federal funds flow your way, although I am not sure it would impact claims based on services to illegals as in the welfare programs. I think it would impact general grants for schools, road and such. But if you count them, you are essentially doing a de factor legalization and your state becomes dependent on their presence, legally or illegally. It’s a conundrum, all right.
What I think ought to happen is give the illegals a certain grace period in which to tie up their affairs here and then send any and all home who came here illegally or were born to those who came here illegally. Those who voluntarily go home and go through the legal process should be allowed back in if they meet the qualifications. Those who refuse to leave and are caught should be sent back home and banned for at least a decade, if not life, from returning. At the end of that grace period, everyone who wants to access federal benefits, register to vote, or in any way take advantage of being here must be required to produce solid evidence of citizenship in terms of a birth certificate, naturalization papers or some other evidence. And by everyone, I mean EVERYONE. Draconian? Probably. But until we show we are serious about enforcing our own laws, we are only hurting ourselves. And in this time or worsening economic conditions, we should not be hosting millions of illegals doing the work our own citizens ought to be doing.
You mean the same "qualifications" we have now?
Those who refuse to leave and are caught should be sent back home and banned for at least a decade, if not life, from returning.
Wouldn't hurt. You would need fingerprints and/or DNA, not just a potentially phony ID card. But we would need better class of congresscritters than we have now to pass such a bill.
In any case, I don't think it would work without mandatory e-verify.