Immigration

The immigration problem is not a simple issue. Immigrants built this country, and we'd be stupid to try to keep them out because of where they come from. At the same time, I don't like the idea of granting millions of illegals (and I'm not talking about a race here.... I mean illegals from anywhere) amnesty and citizenship just because they're here. I am a compromise kind of person. I think that these folks contribute immensely to the country, and we need to recognize that, but they have to admit that they broke the law and both sides have to work to a compromise. They need to meet in the middle... sit across a table and talk to each other. There needs to be some kind of documentation for everyone in the country working. For taxes, and benefits and legal representation, so they can't be taken advantage of. I'm not a fan of government, but it does have it's uses, and this is one. The constitution is worthless if you don't have a way of making sure it is followed everywhere, and reaches everyone in the country. Otherwise, undocumented workers are held hostage in a way, because they have no recourse if they're mistreated. So I think they need to put theeir names down somewhere... let them continue working to feed themselves and their families, but require them to start, at the same time, paperwork to at least get work permits. The paperwork needs to be cut so people are willing to finish it... people on the gov't payroll should provide low-cost assistance to get the paperwork done right, and we get all these people on the track to some proper status so they can be protected under the law. But at the same time, we should have a secure border, because not everyone who crosses illegally is innocent. There are criminals and fugitives who cross, and we owe it to the people in the country to know who is coming in. Not as an excuse to stop good people, but as protection. Just like when you lock your doors at night. And I think also that the Mexican government needs to take a hard look at why so many people are leaving a country so rich in oil and agriculture. Why are there so many poor people in so rich a country?