Immigration Policy

I’ve been to Mexico and although the town that I visited (Nuevo Progreso) was heavily catered to American tourists, I saw enough to get a taste of the poverty.  I realize all too well that simply coming in legally is not a realistic option for the majority of Mexicans as the wait times are several years up to more than a decade.  Violent crime and drug cartel violence are out of control.  There is also rampant domestic violence against women, which is rarely enforced as well as considerable racism and colorism against indigenous people.    Even meager earnings as a janitor or chamber maid would be a vast improvement over their former life.  If they have a disabled family member, American dollars go further and can make a huge difference.  I can certainly sympathize with people who want to come to America for a better life.  Still, with that said, it is simply not feasible to allow anyone who wants to enter the USA to come and stay permanently especially not without proper vetting.  If we did that, we could be looking at several million immigrants per year, most of whom have few marketable job skills.  Even one with a criminal background is one too many.  Some are illiterate in Spanish, never mind English and young unaccompanied children are especially vulnerable to falling in with the brutal MS-13 gang.

Many liberal Democrats have called for wide open borders with no background checks and favor sanctuary cities and states to protect CRIMINAL aliens.  That’s flat out dangerous for national security.  It is clear to me that their primary motivation is to gain more voters as a recent poll indicated that nearly half of Democrats favor granting non-citizens and even illegal immigrants the right to vote.  They know that once Texas and Arizona go blue, it will be virtually impossible for the Republicans to win a national election and we will see full-fledged socialism in the USA.  Some GOP strategists have suggested that softening their position would lead to more Hispanic votes.  I don’t buy it.  Trump actually did marginally better than Romney among Hispanics and his percentage was only 3 points lower than McCain, a longtime supporter of amnesty.  While Trump got 29%, I suspect that a Rubio or even Jeb Bush candidacy would struggle to reach 35% unless they advocate for big government and expanded social welfare programs.

Separation of children from parents?  Terrible.  Never should have happened.  Still, there is blame on both sides.  Can we be sure that the children were not kidnapped along the way?  What kind of sick parent would take their child on such an arduous journey where 80 percent of females will be raped along the way?  If they had simply come in through a legal port of entry with an asylum claim but no VISA, what happens?  A very long wait time but yes, your case will be heard and there be no separation.  Also, if they had simply pleaded guilty to illegal entry without a bogus asylum claim, there will be quick reunification.  As usual, media coverage was blatantly dishonest.  Disturbing pictures of children in cages were actually taken in 2014 during the Obama administration and the girl on a TIME magazine cover was never separated at all nor was there a legitimate asylum case.

By definition, in order to qualify for asylum or refugee status, you must prove that you are fleeing either war or government sponsored persecution based on race or religion.  Simply fleeing from poverty, a high crime area or domestic abuse does not qualify.  I don’t think Canada would accept unvetted “refugees” from high crime areas of Chicago or Detroit.  The alternative to detention is a policy called catch and release.  That is, illegal immigrants are then released into the United States on a promise to appear in court at a specific date.  One problem.  Over 90 percent don’t show up for their cases. 

If the illegals make it to a sanctuary city, they are pretty much safe from deportation even if they are later arrested for a serious crime.  That’s an outrage!  Polls show that over 80% of Americans oppose sanctuary cities yet Democrats will never accept legislation to disallow the policies and even if they did, the law may not survive a legal challenge.  Again, I am really not a fan of judicial review.  Moreover, many who find jobs are paid under the table for less than minimum wage.  Estimates show than more than a third do not pay any income tax on their earnings.  That is called tax evasion and legal citizens must make up for the shortfall. 

What policies would I implement if I were in charge?

-Build a wall to stop illegal entries as well as the flow of illicit drugs COLD once and for all.

-Accept a diverse group of LEGAL immigrants from every corner of the world (Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America) based on merit.  I would not end the diversity lottery completely but would sharply reduce it.  As it is, we’re not getting the best that the world has to offer.  We can’t choose our native-born citizens, but we can choose our immigrants.  Why not choose the best and brightest who are likely to thrive in the USA?

-Increase the number of judges to hear asylum cases to expedite the legal process.  What if a woman comes to the border at a port of entry without a VISA but is battered and bruised?  What if she has lost family members to gang violence and fears that she will be next?  I’d hear her case and if it is indeed a legitimate asylum, sure I’d let her in even if she does not have any job skills. 

-In order for your case to be heard, you MUST come in through a legal port of entry.  Failure to do so will result in automatic refusal of entry without a trial for both parents and children.  All families will remain together on the other side.  They will also be banned from legal entry for 5 years and there will be more serious consequences if caught a 2^nd time.  Like my grandfather used to say, if we catch them in the act, they’re guilty.  They don’t need a trial. 

-After the wall is built, I would very generously allow non-criminal illegal immigrants a path to permanent legal status with work permits.  No mass deportations.  No citizenship or voting rights however unless you go back home and to the end of the line and re-apply legally just like everyone else.  Perhaps the wait times will diminish when the flow of illegals is shut.  Those who don’t “come out of the shadows” must be subject to deportation.  Trump has expressed a willingness to bend on a path to citizenship for DACA children.  I suspect he could be bluffing because he knows Democrats will never vote for the wall no matter how generous the amnesty deal.  I do not support citizenship for any illegal immigrant but may be willing to accept it for a small number of children under a certain age in exchange for all other reforms.

-Mandatory E-verify for all employers with stiff penalties for knowingly hiring illegal workers and paying them under the table.  Also, there must be a strong VISA tracking system.  An estimated 40% of illegals came here on a tourist VISA but overstayed.  That has got to stop as well.  Not many people have talked about that.  After the path to legal status deal is made, anyone caught with an expired VISA shall be deported.