Here are my ideas on this subject:
1. SECURE THE SOUTHERN BORDER, lo siento Mexico, but we can't have criminals crossing back and forth at will.
2. SECURE THE INTERNAL/INTERNATIONAL BORDERS, shorten visa times, ensure that visa holders leave as scheduled, demand that visitors arrive with a return ticket already purchased, etc.
3. END BILINGUAL EDUCATION. Just end it, right now, tomorrow.
4. ENFORCE LABOR LAWS, I'd just like to know if these workers are so "cheap" because of the many laws that are being evaded by their employers. This also leaves the workers at a severe disadvantage such as not being covered by worker's comp, etc.
5. INCREASE PENALTIES FOR CRIMES COMMITTED BY ILLEGALS. This should at least discourage the worst element from coming here/staying here. Maybe not, since many would probably rather do 15-life in a USA jail that on the streets of Mexico, but I can't help that. Crime committed by a citizen gets 5 years, by an illegal 15 years, etc.
6. DEMAND MEXICO ACT AS A PARTNER IN FIGHTING CRIME, as opposed to a haven for criminals. Otherwise punish the Nation, I'm not sure how, but I'm sure there are ways.
7. STOP THE LOTTERY for legal immigration. If WE decide we need 400,000 Mexicans a year to bus tables and clean hotel rooms, good, set a quota for that. If WE decide we need 100,000 Aisans to be doctors, nurses, etc. set a quota for that. NO MORE LOTTERY, we pick and chose how many come from where.
After these issues are addressed I'd be willing to discuss "amnesty", but with a REAL fine, about $10,000 not $2,000.
ADD: 8. REFORMING CHILD LABOR LAWS so willing teenagers can do the jobs I did 40 years ago. After all, the workforce that illegal ag workers really replaced were US teenagers working on their summer vacations.
You have put forth several good ideas. The only thing I don't agree with is #2.
"2. SECURE THE INTERNAL/INTERNATIONAL BORDERS, shorten visa times, ensure that visa holders leave as scheduled, demand that visitors arrive with a return ticket already purchased, etc."
The way I see it, if we shorten the visa period, more people will think "the system" is against them and more will try to come here illegally hoping for that great amnesty from the US Senate. I think we are better off leaving the visa time alone. I am not for lengthening it by any stretch of the imagination.
Also, I agree with your 5th point about increasing time served for illegals, but I don't know if the judges will go for that one.
One other thing. I hope you would consider adding this to your list.
Any adult who is caught here illegally and deported should have ZERO opportunity to ever become a citizen of the USA.
To jocon's list at #24, I'd add:
MAKE SS CARDS TAMPER-PROOF. Contract the job out to Visa or Master Card if needed. Then employers can easily and reliably check legality of job applicants. And then they have no excuse to hire illegals (now their cry, justifiably, is that they can't tell when docs are forged).
CHANGE WELFARE LAWS (long-term) to favor those with jobs and penalize those who won't work. Currently the payments and bennies to welfare recipients are about the equal of a $20-per-hour job. For doing NOTHING. I'd let them keep the bennies (at least for awhile) and cut way down on any cash payments to able-bodied do-nothings. Then we'll have more Americans who ARE willing to do the JAWDs!
I think these would make YOUR suggestions more likely to succeed.
I agree with your list. Seeing all the people protesting really gets me boiling. Why don't they all go back to their own countries & protest for better working conditions, jobs & higher wages instead of invading our country for free handouts. They are sending money back to their own country & its not helping our economy here. They are using our schools, health services & not paying the taxes to support them. With thousands of people who have been waiting in line to come to the United States legally its not fair. In the end it will appear that a war against the illegals will be happening in the near future.