I stand with Rand.
That being said IMO all the politicians are ignoring the fact that the overwhelming majority of the illegals are Mexican. They are highly nationalistic and studies have shown that if offered amnesty and citizenship only about 20% of them would come out of the shadows and apply for it. The other 80% would just stay in the shadows and continue to work without paying taxes, sign the kiddies up for free school and get the welfare and free healthcare.
Out of the 11 million who are here I would at this point support securing the border (which will never happen), open a window of 12 months to allow those who really want to apply for legal status and a work permit (no promise of citizenship) and then after the 12 months shut down work, education, healthcare, and any kind of govt assistance without proof of citizenship or a work permit. I’m guessing based on 11 million that 2.2 million or less would sign up and then once the faucets are turned off the other 9 million or so would head for the exits.
Its not really that hard to get rid of people but the truth of the matter is that high up in govt the US has an agreement with Mexico not to secure the border. We are the escape valve for the corrupt Mexican govt. Somewhere near 50% of the Mexican GDP is from money being sent back across the border from the US by illegals working here. If we shut down the border Mexico would collapse.
As long as both parties are willing to believe that we need the cheap labor and can obtain new votes from these illegals amnesty will be on the table.
I fully expect a bi-partisan bill to be passed in the next 12 mos basically letting all of them stay and putting most on a path to citizenship even though they will probably not take advantage of it.
And both parties will claim thy tried to stop the parts you don't like.