America needs to wake-up and stop waiting for Mexico to solve the immigration problem. Mexico is not going to try and
make it stop. Why would they? Mexico loves the influx of American dollars into his country. American dollars flowing into Mexico is the country’s largest source of income. It even benefits from other South American
immigrants spending money in Mexico, on their way to the United States.
Illegals are going to keep coming into America – and it does not matter if it is legal or not. The United States could set up an immigration plan that is self-funding, and actually be a benefit to America. The United States could turn their custom operations, at U.S. border
crossing points, into “Visa” access stations. Charge immigrants $2,500 each for this Visa, plus require a background check. That is the average amount they currently pay smugglers to get them across – but instead of the “Coyotes” (illegal smugglers) making the money, the U.S. Border Control would receive those funds.
This Visa would be the immigrants’ ID card, and be valid for three years, which they could use as an ID card to open checking accounts, get a driver’s license, get utilities in their name, etc. – but more importantly, it would also be used to pay their taxes. If they wanted to renew it, charge $500 for another five years, or $100 each year. Immigrants after ten years of good behavior would be eligible to apply for citizenship – or keep paying the $100 renewal fee each year. If they are convicted of a felony, their Visa would immediately be revoked and they would be deported – after doing their jail time, and/or paying their court ordered fine.
This program would also apply to the undocumented “illegal” workers already in the United States. They would be treated the same as new immigrants. If they want to stay, they need to purchase an ID card. Therefore, they would no longer have an advantage to obtaining citizenship. That would eliminate the "Rewarding Illegals with Amnesty" argument. Yes, there will be some Americans complain that too many immigrants will come into America. Don’t kid yourself, they are going to come anyway. Wouldn''t it be nice to have them registered, and have millions of dollars to supplement a more effective Border Control?
The Border Control would have a new and large source of funding to be able to improve their staffing and equipment – and be freed from time-consuming rescue attempts of illegal immigrants. The most dangerous border crossing of all – the Arizona Sonoran desert, has claimed the lives of over 2,000 illegal immigrants who have died trying to cross the desert.
With all non-harmful immigrants crossing in a legal, safe and orderly manner, the U.S. Border Control can more effectively search for drug dealers, terrorists and other undesirables that are trying to avoid detection by crossing illegally. “Coyotes” would all but have been driven out of business.
Then, the only ones trying to “sneak” into the country would be the bad guys, and we would have the funds to catch them!
Ken Carroll is a former newspaper editor in Tennessee, Kansas, Utah and Arizona. He currently is a freelance columnist living in Phoenix, Arizona.Ken Carroll is a former newspaper editor in Tennessee, Kansas, Utah and Arizona. He currently is a freelance columnist living in Phoenix, Arizona.