Today we have 10-15 million illegals and maybe more, who are living and working in the US, while they break our laws and steal from the American people. When you consider the number of illegals in the US today, the poor results from the IRCA of 1986, the ongoing problems with open borders and the events of 9-11, I believe Reagan would conclude its time to take serious action that finally solves the problem once and for all.
Reagan would not advance a blanket amnesty for illegals again, or would he support Bush`s guest worker program, aka. backdoor amnesty. Reagan would want to assure the borders were sufficiently secured and employers halted their practice of hiring illegals in direct violation of US law. I'm confident, Reagan would even support building a barrier along the border with Mexico. Dangerous times require serious decisions be made.
"This bill, the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, that I will sign in a few minutes is the most comprehensive reform of our immigration laws since 1952. It's the product of one of the longest and most difficult legislative undertakings in the last three Congresses. Further, it's an excellent example of a truly successful bipartisan effort. The administration and the allies of immigration reform on both sides of the Capitol and both sides of the aisle worked together to accomplish these critically important reforms to control illegal immigration.
"In 1981 this administration asked the Congress to pass a comprehensive legislative package, including employer sanctions, other measures to increase enforcement of the immigration laws, and legalization. The act provides these three essential components. Distance has not discouraged illegal immigration to the United States from all around the globe. The problem of illegal immigration should not, therefore, be seen as a problem between the United States and its neighbors. Our objective is only to establish a reasonable, fair, orderly, and secure system of immigration into this country and not to discriminate in any way against particular nations or people."
"Future generations of Americans will be thankful for our efforts to humanely regain control of our borders and thereby preserve the value of one of the most sacred possessions of our people: American citizenship. "
Reagan signed an amnesty, ran on a campaign issue of a North American Accord which spawned NAFTA, barely enforced his own restriction from 86-89, didn't speak out against illegal immigration after 89(which I would contrast to his endorsement for the Brady Bill after 89), and his farewell address makes his opinion pretty clear to those who can read and think for themselves.
In reading your response I can only assume you have psychic powers or a crystal ball because I see no justification to support the statement "If Reagan were around today, he would take a far different position on the illegal immigration issue then he did 20 years ago,"...A position that was, I remind you, amnesty.