I used to teach in a MA school with a huge illegal population. A lot of them were decent and hard working kids. This led to a very EMOTIONAL movement to allow them to go to state colleges at in-state rates.
Every time I hear folks say that we need to dry up the jobs, I respond that we need to dry up the SERVICES - school, medical, etc. Don’t allow these without proof of citizenship and watch them leave in droves!
My immigration reform proposal:
1. Build a long, strong, effective border fence.
2. Increase border patrols and assure that agents have real enforcment power. (No “catch and release”, etc.)
3. DENY illegal aliens access to any government services, including schools. Require mandatory, automatic deportation of any illegal alien who ATTEMPTS to ACCESS any government service, whether such service is federal, state, or local. (Note: The only exception would be dire-emergency medical treatment, followed immediately [after sufficient recovery time] by mandatory, automatic deportation.)
4. REQUIRE a MANDATORY jail sentence for any illegal alien found to be holding fraudulent identification, followed by mandatory, automatic deportation. (Note: Lengthier jail sentences would be MANDATORY for the “identity theft” of living American citizens.)
5. Require fines and criminal proceedings against any employer (including company officers and responsible hiring personnel) who knowingly hires and employs illegal aliens. Jail for repeat offenders.
6. “Anchor babies” (babies born to illegal alien parents) are to be DENIED citizenship, and are to be immediately deported along with their parents. (Note: This provision should be made retroactive for existing “anchor babies”, up to an age to be debated.)
7. All law enforcement officers (federal, state, or local) who IN THE COURSE OF THEIR NORMAL DAILY LAW ENFORCEMENT DUTIES become aware of an illegal alien’s status are REQUIRED to notify the appropriate federal authorities immediately and hold that alien in custody for up to two days (sufficient time for federal authorities to take custody and deport).
8. Make English the “official” national language and require that everyone who applies for residency status or citizenship (and their school-age minor dependents) demonstrate some level of proficiency in the national language.
(Note: Jail sentences noted in the provisions above MUST be MANDATORY MINIMUM sentences in order to avoid “end runs” by liberal activist Democrat judges.)
The above eight provisions, if passed, would largely solve the illegal alien problem. Illegals would disappear BY ATTRITION since they would be: a) unemployable without proper authorization, b) unable to access government welfare and other services, c) unable to enroll their illegal alien children in government schools, and d) unable to use the despicable “anchor baby” ploy.
Many, if not most, illegal aliens will return to their countries of origin voluntarily once it is clear to them that there is little reason to remain in the US.
**** Note: No logistically burdensome and expensive “roundup” of 12 million-plus illegal aliens is required, recommended, or even necessary. Illegal aliens would disappear by ATTRITION. Therefore, the “red herring” argument that it would be “impossible to deport all 20 million illegal aliens” becomes moot. ****
Meanwhile, reasonable LEGAL immigration laws (including a “guest worker” program) should be streamlined, strictly controlled, and RELENTLESSLY ENFORCED in order to address the legitimate needs of U.S. employers.
The primary emphasis of the proposal is the denial of all government services, including schools, to illegals.