Immigration – What Would Reagan Do?

Sister Toldjah » Not all Latinos are on the same page on the immigration issue

I put some effort into my comment on Sister Toldjah’s site that I decided to reprint it here:

There is an awful lot of ranting over the amnesty or probationary proposals and the rule of law. I can understand how people want to respect the rule of law and not reward law breakers. However, I would like to know what the alternative to amnesty is?

This problem needs a practical solution, not a political one. What are the options?

Make it even more illegal to be in the country by making it a felony with no amnesty – I’m not sure how this solves anything by itself. It is currently against the law to be in the country illegally and that has solved nothing. I see no feasible way to jail or deport 11 million people. If you’re going to argue for this, I would like to hear you would realistically fix the problem. Let’s not fall into the liberal mind-set of complaining about policy without any ideas of their own.

Status Quo – I don’t see anyone happy with this, but given the state of affairs in D.C. I wouldn’t be surprised if this is the outcome.

Find a way to give immigrants a legal entrance into the country – I hear an argument that these people should get in line like everyone else and enter the country legally. I’m pretty sure if that was a viable option, then we wouldn’t have the problem we do today. The truth is that people in Latin American countries cannot get work visas or tourist visas to get into the U.S. Getting one is like winning the Powerball lottery. The reason most immigrants come here is to put food on the table for their families. Asking them to apply for non-existent visas while going hungry is not realistic.

Build a wall – I am all for this. For Mexico AND Canada. Not a virtual wall, but a real, solid wall. If China can build a Great Wall, we can build a Good-Enough Wall. It would be a great jobs program for the “newly documented workers” if you are concerned about them mooching off the system. However, this only solves the problem going forward. Also where there is a will, there is a way. Illegals will find someway into the country but it should be lessened dramatically.

My solution? All of the above.

First, create a guest worker program with the illegals already in the country with background checks.

Second, build an impenetrable wall with the guest workers.

Third, grant some sort of amnesty. Call it whatever you want to make you happy. I’m not opposed to waiting periods, fines, background checks, etc. Make them residents without any chance of citizenship if you must punish them somehow.

Fourth, make it a felony for businesses to hire illegal workers once the guest worker program and wall is in place. If immigrants have enough legal visas allocated to enter the country, there will be no incentive to break the law. If you are offended by the flags they fly, then let them integrate into society and their patriotism will blossom.

WWRD? (What Would Reagan Do?) Remember Reagan granted amnesty to about 3 million illegal immigrants. He just forgot about the wall.

Looking forward to your responses.