I wonder if there is any hope that a plan along the lines I suggested has any hope of passage? Would it have a better chance if illegals who do deport themselves and apply are given some kind of advantage in filling the available jobs? That still has a reward factor for illegals, but the slots they fill will be more carefully culled per the Bush plan for the "in the future" regime. Such a compromise strikes me as superior to the status quo ante.
I don't see any specific reward for illegal aliens as being productive, as it would come at the expense of the law abiding.
We've got voluntary workplace verification. Once mandatory verification passes, employers will be on notice to start culling illegals from their rolls. A Tancredo-style guest worker program could go into effect 6 to 12 months prior to mandatory verification. Illegal aliens who get the jump on self-deportation will have an advantage over those that don't.
Concurrent with the implementation of a mandatory workplace verification program the catch and release policy for illegal aliens would end, and illegals apprehended beyond that date should have biometric data taken, with the understanding that they would be forever disqualified for legal entry into the U.S.
This would give both illegals and employers a grace period before the hammer came down, with both positive and negative incentives for compliance.