Immigration

There is a lot of talk by politicians about fixing our failed immigration program, but the proposals put forth do not address the underlying issues. While there is talk of amnesty for those already here illegally and guest worker programs for the cheap labor we hope to exploit. There is no discussion of increasing quotas for those who want to come legally and become citizens. While there is discussion of increasing border security, we are asked to put future generations in debt to pay for it.
Until fines for hiring illegal immigrants are increased, and the United States and other nations of the world agree to support and enforce fair labor practices through trade agreements we will continue to have many desperate people crossing our borders for work.

This is the immigration program I would like to see:

- Increased quotas for legal immigration from all nations with preference given to immediate family members. Forget the guest worker programs, give them a green card. Guest worker programs are just a way to justify paying immigrant labor less than we would need to pay our own citizens.
- Increased fines for hiring illegal immigrants. Make the fines based on the size of the employer.
A $20,000 fine for an individual or small business is a deterant, but does nothing to a large corporation with lawyers to fight the charge and deep pockets to pay fines. Use the fines collected to pay for border security and social services.
- Improve the standard of living for migrant workers. They pick the food we eat; we ought to be able to provide them with a living wage and decent working conditions. Their children should be provided with a decent education and health care. EVERY CHILD SHOULD BE PROVIDED WITH THIS!
- Work with other trade partners to create and enforce fair labor laws. Refuse to allow products to enter our country that are produced by labor that is not given basic protections given to labor in this country.
- Provide a path to citizenship for those illegal immigrants who are already here, have been working and have family members here. They should be given a criminal background screen, and they and those who have employed them should pay any back taxes they owe. They should be given a guest worker permit until the taxes are paid then issued a green card and allowed to become citizens.