Immigration

America's immigration policy is the focus of a passionate and increasingly divisive debate. It is a debate we need to have and one I believe is long overdue. 

However as the discussion over how best to address the growing problem of illegal immigration continues, a quagmire of political bickering is delaying adoption and implementation of comprehensive reform. This must be more than an election-year issue that fades into obscurity after the ballots have been cast. The system is broken and must be fixed.

The issue of illegal immigration is first and foremost one of national security. It's why job one must be to secure our borders. We can debate the specifics of our immigration policy until we are blue in the face, but as that discussion continues, illegals continue flow across our borders at an ever-increasing rate.

How do we accomplish border security?

• I think the President's decision to send National Guard troops to our southern border was a good first start. But we need more than manpower. 
  
  
• We should build physical barriers such as fences and walls where necessary.
  
  
• We should utilize advanced technologies that will allow us to better monitor vulnerable areas and maximize our human resources.

Once we are confident the flood of illegal immigration has subsided, we must address programs that act as incentives for people to come to this country illegally. It will be fruitless to clamp down on our borders if we still allow illegals who slip through the cracks to enjoy the full privileges of American citizenship without shouldering any of the responsibilities. For example:

• We cannot grant amnesty to those who are here illegally. The rule of law must prevail.
  
  
• We must make it easier for employers to verify citizenship and, once the system is in place, aggressively prosecute employers who knowingly hire illegals.
  
  
• We should not offer special privileges like in-state college tuition to people here illegally.
  
  
• We must protect our social services and health care systems from bearing the undue burden placed on them by the growing illegal population.

Finally, we must address the problem of the estimated 12 million illegal immigrants already here.

• I do not favor amnesty. It would be a slap in the face to the millions of immigrants who played by the rules to become part of American society.
  
  
• We should streamline the process by which someone can become a legal, productive part of our culture.
  
  
• Ensure any immigration policy meets the needs of our economy and is not tailored to the needs of any other nation.
  
  
• There should be no preferential treatment for those already here illegally. If illegal aliens decide they want to comply with our immigration policy, they should be required to go to the end of the line.
  
  
• We must insist on assimilation. America has always welcomed immigrants.  It is a cornerstone of our democracy. But people who wish to be part of our great nation must take on the responsibility of citizenship. They should learn our language, abide by our laws and strive to contribute to our society.