Back in 1996, Congressman Lamar Smith of Texas had changed the law to require them to go to their native country and apply, as well as get a police report from their home country and a physical exam. He didn't think we were being fair to those entering the country legally.
245(i)did not require them to go home, get the police report or get a physical, or have a financial sponsor to keep them off the welfare rolls.
Compare that to someone applying outside the US for legal entry to the US. They must get the police report to show they are not wanted for a crime or have a history of criminal activity, and a physical exam to show they do not have a communicable disease (many have active TB) or a major health problem that would be a burden on the US. Also they must have a financial sponsor to prevent them from going on welfare, get food stamps, etc.
(I know as my grandson recently married a Canadian girl. INS didn't want her to be an indigent but did not grant her permission to work until she submitted another application and more fees! They also insisted she had to be here several months before she could apply for the work permit! Incedentally the paperwork was the same.(police report, physical, financial sponsor.) We think INS just does that to get more money and keep another employee busy. They could have granted her the work permit at the same time she got permission to enter, even if she paid a separate fee for the work permit.)
So we need Tancredo in Congress. He really cares about cleaning up this whole immigration mess!
I don't care HOW much he means to Congress. He is NOT indispensible.