One shot at meaningful immigration reform

Our nation's immigration system is broken. But we can fix it.

Rather than continue pushing this issue off on future generations while government agencies disrupt and break apart hard working families, we need to address the root problems of the system, and create reforms to provide those who want to come here a respectable and reasonable process, while treating those already here in an ethical manner.

Part of the nation's problem stems from the government mandated quota of visas available to immigrants. Every year thousands of foreign nationals pursue degrees at America's colleges and universities, particularly in high skill fields. Many of them want to use their expertise in U.S. industries that will spur economic growth and create jobs for Americans.

When visas aren't available, we end up exporting this labor and ingenuity to other countries. Immigration laws have had largely arbitrary limits on immigration that have not been adjusted to correspond to the growth of the US economy or the actual need for labor at various skill levels.

The fact that the economy has absorbed large numbers of workers above what the statutory quotas allow shows that disconnect. The quotas should be raised, or eliminated altogether, to reflect the market demand for labor. Visa and green card allocations need to reflect the needs of employers and the desire for these exceptional individuals to help grow our economy.

While some support a blanket grant of amnesty to all illegal immigrants, this solution turns a blind eye to the root of our immigration issues and will only push the issue on to the next generation.

Instead, we need a solution that gives immigrants the ability to live legally and without fear in the U.S., but only if they are willing to pass background checks, pay taxes, develop proficiency in English and American civics, and are able to support themselves and their families. This would give every immigrant the opportunity to work towards legalization, and earn the right to participate in the American dream.

One of the internationally recognized rights of nations is to ban the import of illegal drugs and the entry of criminals, both those fleeing punishment in other jurisdictions and the ones intending to commit crimes in the entered nation. A nation that does not control its borders for those purposes is ceding control to smugglers and criminal organizations.

National borders are not mere lines on a map. They define the boundaries of authority. For example, the government of Mexico has no authority to tax the citizens of Arizona, or to prescribe rules governing air pollution by the people of California. Identically, the USA has no authority to draft residents of Canada into military service.

For these and other reasons, each nation needs to control its boundaries. Once that control has been established, the question of who it allows to immigrate and become a resident can, for the first time, be tackled as a real issue under its control. Without border control, immigration policies are meaningless. Implementing an immigration system that considers all these factors would create an enforceable system that properly governs immigration.

The fact is that the entire immigrant worker process has been an exercise in deviation from the law by the Federal government, by businesses, and by individuals. Obedience to immigration law has been arbitrary and hypocritical.

While we need to take steps to deal with immigration now, it is important we do not rush to implement a "Band-Aid" solution to immigration, as the Obama Administration has done with healthcare. We have seen what happens when the Legislature passes a law without properly researching, drafting, and debating that law.

Researching and understanding immigration and developing reasonable, fair, and legitimate solutions is the only way to provide a working immigration system to the estimated 11 million immigrants and 313 million American citizens currently living in the United States.

Once elected, I will propose a solution that takes the time to fully research a solution to our nation's immigration issues. As an example of how to research the potential law, I would look to the federal retirement law I work with on a daily basis as an attorney.

This law, called "ERISA," was originally proposed in 1968, and was not passed in its final form until 1974, because Congress took the time to hold hearings throughout the country, and to research, draft, and debate multiple versions of the law, until every issue had been solved. While minor changes and improvements have been made since 1974, overall, the core functions and purpose of ERISA have remained the same.

We need to pursue a similar solution for immigration as we did for retirement in 1968. The House and Senate need to draft proposals that address immigration, which can be debated, researched, and analyzed thoroughly.

During this time, Congress must hold hearings throughout the country to come to a better understanding of immigration issues outside Washington, D.C. By 2019, both houses of Congress can agree upon and pass a non-partisan immigration solution that addresses the needs of our country, and the immigrants of our nation's past, present, and future.