That appears to be what Rubio’s version does, with the caveat that it provides a work visa or student visa to the child/young adult without first kicking them out of the country.
Our problem is NOT kids who have lived here their entire lives, worked hard, graduated high school, and are now trying to be productive members of society. So long as we can ensure that benefits of the bill are solely for these individuals, and wouldn’t give them citizenship, or provide visas for their family, and is based on kids who are already here (thus not “encouraging” more entrants to take advantage), this is solving a problem, not creating one.
Of course, people who couldn’t see any possible upside to allowing such kids to go to college won’t see the upside to allowing them to have student or work visas either.
The one thing the author had right — we have so polarized the debate that you can’t actually discuss the issue, it’s all “give them amnesty” or “fry them on electric fences”.
thus not “encouraging” more entrants to take advantage), this is solving a problem, not creating one.Everything else you said contradicts that line.