This is what real immigration reform should look like.

WHAT SHOULD IMMIGRATION REFORM LOOK LIKE?

There is much discussion on how immigration reform should be accomplished. One thing is for certain, most voters do not believe that career politicians are really serious about fixing the problem. There are so many special interests who have their hand in the mix, either for political advantage or monetary benefit. This is why when Trump came down the escalator and announced he planned on building a wall he stirred up a hornet's nest of both outrage and support. This was because both sides believed he would do just that. Now I have listened and looked at the proposals from many on this, and since Trump is going to give a speech with finer details on this matter in the very near future, I thought I would throw out a plan just for the heck of it.

1. Secure both borders, with a 99% result. Whatever it takes, a wall in some parts, electronic surveillance, drones and manpower. All violators would be deported and second offenders would be sent to a work camp.

2. Redo the visa program. All visa holders would be required to state where they are going, how long they are staying, the purpose of their visit and where they are staying. If they don't leave or extend their visa, they have committed a felony and are subject to arrest.

3. Set a quota of total legal immigration per year. This needs to be a number that can be easily assimilated into the population, probably around 250,000. They must be self-supporting, not requiring taxpayer assistance. They may need to have job lined up to be eligible for legal status. If they commit a felony, they need to be repatriated back where they came from.

4.  After all this is accomplished, then deal with those who are here illegally. Those that arrived after 2014 would be repatriated. Those that arrived before 2014 would have 120 days to register. If they fail to register they will be deported. Registration would require where they live, contact information, how many in family, where they work, etc. If anything changes they need to notify authorities within 15 days. This plan would be made known some time before registration would begin. This could be done online and they could print out a receipt or they could do it at a government office and be given a receipt.

5.Those with felonies would not be eligible to stay.

6. E- verify would be mandatory with a number to be issued for each employee that could be added to his or her registration.

7. Every person would over time be required to be interviewed. If they pass the interview, they would be issued a yellow card, which would give them legal status. If they don't pass the criteria or are found to lie on the interview, they would be subject to deportation. They would not qualify for government benefits.

8. After 2 years they could apply for a green card.

9. Work visas could be issued, but not for more than 6 months at a time.

10. If any felonies are committed during this process, they are no longer eligible. Felons would not qualify for a work visa.

11. Sanctuary cities would be illegal, and all federal monies denied; mayors and city council members who vote to allow illegal immigrants would be guilty of breaking federal laws and subject to prosecution. All illegal immigrants would need to be held and turned over to immigration authorities.

No more illegal aliens would ever be allowed after the 2014 date and there would never be any way for illegal aliens to ever be given legal status in the future.  Presidents in the future who would ignore the enforcement of immigration law should be impeached. The enforcement of the border and the enforcement of the visa program, as well as the elimination of sanctuary cities, could all be accomplished with existing law. After those things are accomplished, the remaining should be able to be passed with bi-partisan support.

Originally published 8/31/2016,   Serious reform is obviously not on Biden agenda.