We need common sense in immigration debate

The immigration debate was back in the headlines. Par for the course, both parties’ spewed lipservice on the need for reform, while simultaneously killing any meaningful legislation.

Comprehensive immigration reform hasn’t gone anywhere in decades, making it clear that neither party’s ruling class wanted it. But something changed. Finally, we had a president who promised to deport problematic illegals, institute better border security, and find compassionate solutions for America’s 11 million illegal immigrants.

And he put his money where his mouth is. Called the “deporter-in-chief” by the extreme open-borders crowd, he sent nearly three million illegals packing.

That president – the one who deported those three million, initiated countless raids on the bad apples scattered among hardworking illegals, spent millions more on border security, and hired thousands additional Border Patrol agents – was named Barack Obama.

So let’s get this straight: For the most part, President Trump is executing the same policies as his predecessor, yet instead of the free pass that President Obama enjoyed, he is being met with nationwide protests.

The hypocrisies besetting the left are downright comical.

Fact is, Americans on all sides should be thankful for Trump’s continuation of the Obama policies, as well as his initiatives to construct a wall and deport convicts whose home countries “don’t want them.”

• Let’s deport the rhetoric and stop demonizing illegals. It’s not their fault America hasn’t been deterring illegal immigration. Most are simply trying to make a better life for their families, often enduring unspeakable hardships.

• Celebrate legal immigration. America is the most generous nation on earth to immigrants, bestowing permanent resident status to over one million per year – yes, per year.

• Build the border wall. Period. Control costs by utilizing nonviolent prisoners and illegal immigrants, which would solve prison overcrowding and save billions.

• Mandate every business utilize the free E-Verify system, which quickly determines the legal status of a potential hire. Companies in noncompliance should face stiff penalties and criminal prosecution.

• There should be no government (“taxpayer”) assistance of any kind to illegal immigrants. No drivers licenses, no community college, no benefits.

• Illegal immigrants convicted of crimes should serve their time and be deported, but instead they are routinely released onto our streets because their home countries don’t want them. Tough. Pass a law eliminating U.S. aid to any country refusing its citizens, and deport them anyway.

• Deal with illegals by documenting them and issuing longterm or lifetime work visas; permanently denying them citizenship and the right to vote; requiring them to pass a criminal background check; mandating they pay taxes; and levying fines (deducted in installments directly from paychecks).

Obviously, neither side will ever be fully satisfied, but one thing is certain: If we don’t act, now that the opportunity is on our doorstep, things will get exponentially worse.

And if that be the case, our elected officials should receive no amnesty, and face deportation from voters in the next election.