1) Simplify entry requirements with Mexico, especially. If a person can demonstrate they have a) no communicable diseases, b) no criminal background c) a job waiting, d) an understanding, illustrated by a signed contract, that US social services are UNAVAILABLE to non citizens (other than access to public schools and life saving medical emergencies), and 4) an understanding, illustrated by a signed contract that failure to file taxes is grounds for immediate visa revocation and expulsion......, we should let them in on yearly, renewable visas. Processing fees for these people should run from 3-4 thousand dollars (makes sense that they would fund it, right?)
2)For illegals already here, the same med requirements, coupled with no felony convictions, have all tax filings up to date, and gainfully employed. The difference is that these people should pay a processing fee of 2-3 times the people at the border, because they DID violate the process and "jump line." There should be a penalty to do so.
This would take the pressure off the border It should be EASY to get in LEGALLY, and DIFFICULT to get in ILLEGALLY, but of course, we have it upside down. (I feel like I should do an Al Gore imitation with that LEGAL/ILLEGAL, but you get the picture).
That seems humane, respectful of the law, cognizant of the reality of the situation, and a way to gain control of the borders. I don't see why people on Free Republic won't support it.
Because it REWARDS CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR. The exact analogy is someone who robs a bank successfully, and then commits no further crimes for ten years. We do NOT tell such a person on discovery--"hey, you committed a crime, but you've been a good boy since then, so we won't arrest, try, and sentence you--and--by the way--you can keep the money". THAT is what your "compassionate solution" boils down to.
I don't CARE how good they have been since committing their crime---on discovery, they should be DEPORTED.
I have proposed some solutions similar to the ones you are proposing.
The reason why some on Free Republic can't or won't be pragmatic about the mass migration we are witnessing is because they are afraid, rationally, of the future.
What we are witnessing is a mass migration. If we open the borders, we can reasonably expect 10 million per year or more for the next few years. This enormous number of culturally different people will have enormous implications for the future of our country.
It will not be possible to assimilate this number of people into our country.
There will be enormous culture clashes, and the immediate reality will be uncomfortable and unpleasant.
Once the numbers of foreigners reach a certain mass, we can expect riots and lawlessness as the immigrants, through the security of sheer numbers, exercise demands of all kinds upon the existing communities. Pandering by political parties will be exacerbated and make matters worse.
This is reality too, and I understand the fears.
We need a very controlled access to come in.
You want to make it so easy to come here legally (for Mexicans anyway) that nobody would want to jump the border. What you propose is a massive preference for mexicans in our immigration policy. I oppose that.