Regarding my initial post and what I believe should be done.

 

There was a bi-partisan bill introduced in The Senate that included common sense measures to address the problem of illegal immigration.  It called for securing the border with Mexico as a first step.  Next identify those here illegally and have them go through a process of screening.  Any with a criminal history would be deported.  Those allowed to remain would be given a work permit, would be required to pay a fine and would not be allowed access to things like food stamps or any other form of welfare.  They would also be required to pay taxes, learn English and assimilate into our society for a period of time (IIRC it was 10 years).  After they do those things, then they would be placed at the "back of the line" for those wanting to immigrate legally.

 

That's just a rough idea of the bill.  It was shot down by both sides of the political spectrum for various reasons, the most notable on the right is that they viewed it as "amnesty".

 

This was a common sense solution to the problem, and could have been easily implemented.

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