Posted on 03/30/2006 10:33:10 AM PST by Hillary'sMoralVoid
There is a remarkably simple solution to the impasse with immigration reform. It involves a balance of recognition and respect of United States laws, along with the need for a reasonable process for dealing with the illegal immigrants.
First of all, all illegals currently in the country would have to sign a written document stating that they had broken the laws of the United States by entering the country. Those who wish to stay on as guest workers would be placed on probation for a period of three years, during which time they would be granted status as "conditional" guest workers. They would be required to report their location to the INS annually, and any other violations of U. S. or state laws could result in loss of status and deportation.
Those who successfully completed their probationary period would become official guest workers. Those who wish to apply for citizenship would be eligible, however, those applying legally from outside the country (who have not immigrated illegally) would have priority over those who entered the country illegally.
All employers would require illegals working for them to apply for conditional guest worker status (along with the required probation period). There would be fines for both the illegals and the employers who fail to initiate the guest worker application process.
This approach offers a road to amnesty which recognizes that an illegality occurred, a probationary period was served, and that illegal immigrants are not placed ahead of applicants who apply legally.
-It's like having sex with a hooker. You'r ashamed and satisfied at the same time (I imagine:)
Imagine, good one.
OBLer.
Or we could fine employers $1M/day per employee for hiring an illegal.
that was over the top. this is a difficult issue but it's not on par with slavery. Slaves had no voice. these folks are doing this immigrating of their own free will. Both instances we found it convenient to ignore the cost that comes with the benefit.
We'll do what we do with all the tough issues. Punt. It's what we did last time someone sat up and said whoa! That was 1978 I want to say.
Your idea has merit but the devil is in the details. Problem is when the illegals become legal then they are Americans and they won't do some jobs either. Restricting the jobs and the pay for those jobs even for just a certain length of time would be a form of indentured servitude.
by punt I mean declare amnesty, make a career for a bunch of bilingual lawyers and go back to sleep for another 25 years.
They get amnesty without any conditions. It is called chain migration and is already allowed.
Those 11-20 million illegals that receive amnesty can bring in almost everyone, their parents, wife, kids, etc.
So that 11-20 million X 3-7 more people = ?
Amnesty of any kind is a bad idea.
They promised us an 'amnesty with teeth' in 86, too.
They delivered the amnesty part. The teeth were apparently left in a glass by the bedstand.
I ain't buyin this time.
Quick, Quick .... at least you have some time to get your almighty stock and real estate portfolio in order, because things are going to come to a head, one way or another.
I believe the teeth of that amnesty were broken by the likes of Kennedy. Employer compliance was the teeth of that amnesty, at least according to Mark Levin who worked for the Reagan White House at that time.
(1)If all legal Americans had a national identity card and (2)if no food stamps, medical care, or other freebies would be availanble to citizens without an identity card, and (3) if schools and businesses were not permitted to dialogue in any language but English so that we don't fracture like Canada....The problem would solve itself.
As it is, there are many Illegals being supported at Taxpayer expense to a living standard impossible for them to achieve back in Mexico. Take the taxpayer goodies away and....bye bye for most.
A return to the Ellis Island mentality would help America survive.
As I said, I ain't buying this time. Enforcement, and only enforcement, comes first.
Alan Greenspan uses phrases like systemic economic dislocation but I think he means Mel Haggard songs getting real popular again. Hobos and apple shining. Here's a fix for the Perotista's allied with Republicans (fat cats).
I wish a buck was still silver and it was back when the country was strong.
Back before Elvis and before the Vietnam war came along.
Before the Beatles and yesterday when a man could still work and still would.
Is the best of the free life behind us now and are the good times really over for good ?
Guest worker or not, they must speak English.
There would be fines for both the illegals and the employers who fail to initiate the guest worker application process.
Your proposal sounds good as long as those fines really hurt, and as long as they increase substantially for multiple violations. And jail needs to be in the equation, too, for multiple violations. Like you said - - "teeth".
Enforce the law and send all illegals back NOW. Guard the borders. Round them up at rallies. That's the best place to start.
Good points. I just think that the "Island America" mentality--one I approve of in certain situations--is gone, never to return. I don't see the political will. I fear it will take a 9-11 created by Mexicans who want to reclaim the southwest to do it. Otherwise, we have such a kneejerk reaction against doing ANYTHING until it's too late, regarding security, that nothing will alter the current situation. ANY plan to curtail violence will be met with a storm of "I don't like it, this isn't the America I know" articles and TV commentaries 24/7, and that seems to sway public opinion; that wouldn't matter if we had leaders who knew how to LEAD--i.e. "I'm doing this unpopular thing now because within a few years, when you've cooled down, you'll see why it's the right thing to do."
That and a good civil defense.
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