“If you believe that workplace enforcement is impossible, even when significantly strengthened, then what do you propose?”
I’m sorry, but the current immigration laws that were revamped in 1986 have “workplace enforcement” provisions. Can’t we just try to enforce the laws we have before we say “pay us a $5,000 bribe and we will waive our current laws.”
Here is what I propose .... remove the incentives that attract illegal aliens (at least the incentives that would encourage me to break the law to live in the U.S.).
First, pass a law (a Constitutional amendment if necessary) that allows schools to confirm citizenship prior to enrolling students in public schools.
Second, pass a law (a Constitutional amendment if necessary) that allows hospitals to deny treatment to known illegal immigrants and to request proof of citizenship.
Third, pass some form of national sales tax with a “prebate”. Every citizen would recieve $1,000 per family per month to offset the sales tax on essentials of living. Illegals would be forced to pay the sales tax and would not receive the prebate. The would therefore be forced to pay a “penalty” for living here illegally, instead of being rewarded.
Of course, it won’t be easy to overcome the prevailing cowardice, but it is worth a shot.
Oh, I see. You propose 2 constitutional amendments instead of implementing the verification system that has been tested to combat all the document fraud and identity theft that has undermined workplace enforcement. Check back with me in 15 years when you are through with that.