Quote:Regarding your other statement.  There are laws on the books that need to be enforced that currently aren't.  A very good example of this is what happened in San Francisco.  The so-called "sanctuary cities" are in direct violation of federal law.

 

I believe that the immigrant family that is here working a farm somewhere, working a landscaping or construction job, or even that of a dishwasher or hotel maid would in fact come forth if they had the opportunity to become a citizen.  If they really want a better life and the American Dream, they will go through the process.

 

Of course the criminals wouldn't come forward.  Does a criminal come forward and register a gun?  However, much like the case that I cited in my initial post, the killer would have (and should have) been turned over to immigration officials and immediately deported.

I agree completely on sanctuary cities. I'll never support "papers, please," warrantless stops, nor will I ever support the notion that police officers should have the ability to question your citizenship or check citizenship status during traffic stops. That said, once someone has been booked for a crime their residency status should certainly be checked, and appropriate action should be taken if they're here illegally, on an expired visa, etc.

 

I tend to disagree with your second point. I really think that most immigrants here illegally, even those who are genuinely doing no harm and just working on a farm, in a lumber yard or a hotel kitchen, would stay away from "registration" opportunities out of fear that it's just a government round-up and deportation. A secondary concern would be the fine you tossed out there as a hypothetical. How much would that fine be, and could the average illegal immigrant who's over here making sub-minimum wage really afford that in the first place? I'd think that getting them into the system and forcing them to pay income tax (which would need to have a new category created for amnestied immigrants, who should not be eligible for refunds based on tax credits) would be enough.

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