The problem I had with Newt's proposal, Obama's actions and Mitt's response is that:
1. Yes, people in this particular situation are going to be the toughest problem to deal with....a.) it's not their fault that they're here and b.) many of them are fully Americanized. However, dealing with them first is bass-ackward.
2. The first step -- in any plan to get illegal immigration under control (if that's indeed the objective) -- should be to secure the border. Reduce the influx to a minimum.
3. The second step is to effectively remove the work opportunities and deny any government support for illegal aliens. At which point the vast bulk will self-deport.
4. Then, and only then, do you address those who are left. And, at that point, if you wish, you can afford to be "compassionate" -- because the door is closed behind them.
Our problem -- as per usual -- is that nobody in government wants to do the hard part...
“...dealing with them first is bass-ackward.”
Good post. I like your 4-Step solution.