"Still - I don't see an end to the "cash" work. And, I just can't personally see that they are going to be willing to return. Hope there will be strong deportation procedures or exit strategies. This looks like a big problem area but at least we will know who they are and their background."
Monday evening President Bush gave several items that would be musts for someone here illegally to "pay their debt to society". He did not really address those who are here who do not turn themselves in, those with criminal backgrounds, etc. I could be convinced of his plan if he also addressed those that continued mocking our system. I think deportation is part of the answer to that. Along with deportation, I support, and have recommended, that anyone who is deported should automatically lose any option to become a citizen of this country. Ever.
I think these 2 items together might make some think before coming here, might turn a few back home, or will get more of them to come out of hiding.
Unless there is some personal incentive for the current illegals to come forward, it will be impossible to ever identify them or their background. They will remain the illegal underbelly from now on.
This incentive to get on the road to citizenship provides an incentive to have a better life and become an American paying taxes, learning the language and improving themselves and their salaries. We then determine who they are, and put them on the track of personal improvement.
We have to break the lawbreaking culture they brought with them from the corrupt Mexico.
I think that is the main purpose of the "path" to citizenship - to find the illegals, determine who is in this country and if possible help them contribute rather than be a drain on services.