There are a few immigration-related proposals circulating the U.S. Congress that go too far, either because they are unwise or unworkable.
A straightforward amnesty program, requiring no legal steps on the part of illegal immigrants, is unfair to all those immigrants who became citizens by following the rules. Likewise, it does not make sense simply to round up illegals and send them all home. That's an unreasonable proposition, besides it being a politically unpopular one.
Somewhere, there must be a middle ground.
Let's begin with the proposition that America really does need to take a vigorous approach in enforcing its borders. Let's also find a way to embrace the immigrants already here who respect our laws and have come here to better themselves and their families.
A guest worker program should be implemented nationally, providing temporary permission to stay in this country while curtailing the false document trade. While living and working here under their real names, illegal aliens should follow a proscribed path toward citizenship. Whether it should take five years, 10 years, or somewhere in between, let our Congressmen debate the issue. The important thing is that those who really want to become citizens should follow a patient path toward that goal; those who won't or cannot should be returned to their native lands.
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This whole approach, consistent with the idea that citizenship is a privilege and not a right, is also a fair approach. It should be balanced by better security on our southern border. We should indeed find a way to bring our current illegal immigrant population into the fold, but at the same time we must tighten the out-of-control flood still occurring at an alarming rate.
