Background:
The idea that securing our borders is somehow "controversial" has never made any sense to me! Now, with Healthcare reform and tax hikes pinning their arguments on whether or not "illegals" will be covered, the whole idea that we know about millions of illegal immigrants and we don't do anything about it has got me thinking.

I worked in the construction industry, and I come from the Midwest where Clinton "saved" Arkansas by building Turkey and Chicken processing plants and creating tens of thousands of jobs that nobody wanted!

I realize that our infrastructure is highly dependent on this labor pool, and that certain industries would be shut down if we removed all the illegal immigrants.

I also understand that many of the illegal immigrants are learning English and attempting to meld into our society. They are often hard-working families with high morals and virtues and work ethics. So they shouldn't be looked down upon or treated as criminals.

So, how do we account for these people, prop up the industries that depend on them, and at the same time take the burden off the taxpayers, and shore up our borders from threats??

Here is my plan:

1. Amnesty. It is controversial, but it is necessary at this point. We give a 6 month cooling off period before beginning to crackdown. We set up Social Security offices and Immigration Offices and we help get as many of these workers documented as possible. We do an ad campaign and we publicize the plan, the help available, and the consequences for staying unregistered.

We get the Visas in place, we begin to tax their income just like American workers. We alleviate the disparity in wages, and we provide additional SS and tax revenue to the system that is already footing the bill! We assist employers on getting their books right, and we get everyone moving in the right direction.

2. We secure the borders at all costs!! Lethal force has always, and should always be allowed at our borders! There should never be a single person crossing into this country illegally. If a poor migrant worker can do it, then so can a well-funded terrorist!! Fences, Patrols, UAV, Cameras, Military, National Guard, Manned Gates, etc., etc. This goes for the Northern border as well, and for the Coastlines!! If boatloads of Cubans can sneak over, then so can boatloads of Criminals or Terrorists! We have to provide the means, resources, and political and economic support to our border patrols!! THIS HAS TO BE A NON-NEGOTIABLE!

3. We set up VISA help lines in Mexico. We set up satellite offices across the border, we attempt to help get people immigrating legally, and we make sure there is less and less incentive to do it illegally. With streamlined VISA's making it easier to immigrate legally, and increased patrols authorized to use lethal force, the Illegal Immigration should come to a grinding halt!!

4. After the 6 month Amnesty Period, We enlist our businesses and Hospitals, and Driver's License Bureaus, and every American to report illegal aliens! If we know they are here, and we don't get them deported, then we are all guilty!
If they show up at the ER, we patch them up, and then we arrest and deport!
If they show up looking for work, we document them, take their info, and give it to immigration!
If they want a Driver's License, we take their info, and we direct them to the licensed officer waiting to deport them!

5. We document Deported Aliens, and we make it clear that a second offense will be treated as a criminal offense, if they survive the encounter! We document, fingerprint, and database everyone who is deported, and we compare that info on every person we pick up.

6. We create a "Graduated Visa Program." One year work VISA has very few guidelines, but to renew for a Second Year will require Basic English Skills and Basic Civic Knowledge. To renew for a Third Year will require fluent English, and better Civic and Legal Knowledge. After Three Years, they will have to show continued work and tax contributions, or a desire to obtain citizenship. No Freeloaders will stay in the country for more than Three Years!

7. We hire staff, and begin to review and investigate expired VISAs. It isn't just Hispanics that are here illegally. There are a vast amount of expired Student VISAs on the books. We need to know where those people are, and what their intentions are! They are subject to the same 6 month Amnesty, and then they will be considered criminals!

My plan is still taking shape, and I would love the input of ATSers on it. If it becomes streamlined and articulate enough, I plan to help a local Congressional Representative make it part of his platform for election!

Please offer all the "constructive" criticism you can! I look forward to people disagreeing with certain aspects, but try to offer an alternative. I know it is a HOT subject, but I just can't believe anybody would not want to help people immigrate effectively, and protect our borders at the same time! I

have heard the "huddled masses" argument many times, and I agree with it. I want immigration to continue, but I want it done legally and safely, and I want the immigrants to continue to add value to our country as they have done in the past, and not become a burden upon it, or a political tool to get tossed about!

Thanks in Advance!

GetReadyAlready

Good post GRA. I'm not sure this would qualify as 'constructive' but it popped in to my head so I have to spew it.

It makes me think of this:



I'm not sure, maybe I've got a bleeding heart liberal streak or something, but I'm really uncomfortable with the idea of surrounding the US with military fortifications.

I agree entirely that immigration needs to be controlled and that we MUST stop the seemingly endless flow of people across the border.

What is it that makes it seem so wrong though?

In reality, we KNOW it HAS to happen. In practice we get squeamish and don't want to hurt anybody's feelings or something....

'so I jumped the fence and yelled at the house, HEY, what gives you the right...to put up a fence to keep me out, or to keep mother nature in...if god was here he'd say it to your face...man, you're some kinda sinner.'

Is it liberalism that has me crying foul, or is just claustrophobia?

(gratitude applied accordingly)

[edit on 16-9-2009 by KSPigpen]

In honesty, I like your plan.

Amazing how we told Russia to tear down those walls, are not happy about the wall Israel has put up, but are OK with putting up our own wall.

I like your vision of equality on point 2. Shows your legit about the issue.

If they could improve the efficiency in point 3, people would be more inclined to come across legally. It really does take a long time to go through the system.

Point 4- Think 6 months is fair enough time before operation deportation.

Point 5- Documenting has already started. I know personally that many who have been caught again have had to spend time in jail.

Point 6- Disagree. Do you really expect people to be fluent in English in 3 years. I teach english and civics classes and can tell you it isn't possible for the majority of them. But I do think English and civics should be part of the deal.

Point 7- Shows your legit again. Most people ignore this fact and believe the Southern Border is the only way in. About 50% of illegals are people who overstayed their visas. Need to find a way here to prevent them from overstaying Visas in the first place.

Excellent.

[edit on 16-9-2009 by jam321]

Your plan looks pretty good
I personally would like to see the border of Mexico turned into a military base . Yes the whole thing a quarter or a half mile wide military installation running the length of the U.S./ Mexico border.
The only problem with that is you would stop all the drugs from coming in along with all the illegals .
Then the only contraband coming in would be through military bases.
Who could you blame then?
So that will never happen



[edit on 9/16/2009 by MagnumOverDrive]

That's a good start to a workable immigration plan. I have issue with a couple of them though.

Originally posted by getreadyalready

2. We secure the borders at all costs!! Lethal force has always, and should always be allowed at our borders! There should never be a single person crossing into this country illegally. If a poor migrant worker can do it, then so can a well-funded terrorist!! Fences, Patrols, UAV, Cameras, Military, National Guard, Manned Gates, etc., etc. This goes for the Northern border as well, and for the Coastlines!! If boatloads of Cubans can sneak over, then so can boatloads of Criminals or Terrorists! We have to provide the means, resources, and political and economic support to our border patrols!! THIS HAS TO BE A NON-NEGOTIABLE!

The problem I have with #2 is the deadly force part. It is just inhumane to kill someone for crossing a geopolitical line. I'm of the opinion that we are all born into this world and the Earth (all of it) belongs to us all.

6. We create a "Graduated Visa Program." One year work VISA has very few guidelines, but to renew for a Second Year will require Basic English Skills and Basic Civic Knowledge. To renew for a Third Year will require fluent English, and better Civic and Legal Knowledge. After Three Years, they will have to show continued work and tax contributions, or a desire to obtain citizenship. No Freeloaders will stay in the country for more than Three Years!

I only disagree with #6 because the federal government, to this day, has failed to recognize English as our official language. If/when that day comes to fruition, then I will agree completely.

All in all, great ideas to get us started. Problem is, getting a majority of Americans to agree to this plan. I think such a plan would probably cause as much division and hatred as the health care issue. I don't think we will ever have a majority rules scenario that is in favor of legitimizing illegal aliens.

Just my 2-cents

EDIT: S&F

[edit on 16-9-2009 by Aggie Man]

I say Deport all Illegals..and let the fat lazy Americans work for 7.15 an hour....


...I Have a Better plan..

1. Abolish all Nations...
2.Everybody is a citizen of the world...so everybody can go anywhere they want..
3.Take all the right-wing conservatives xenophobic to an island...far far away from the rest of us...


..Nations + Patriotism = Right wing nut cracks that think the world belongs to them...