Currently there are 12 million people who are living and working in the country without proper documentation. Both the left and the right present strong arguments for and against expanding immigration. However, very few view immigration as a tool to strengthen our economy. A major thrust of the policy must be to provide for the labor requirements of our economy. When economic necessity drives our policy, those who immigrate receive high wages and benefits. They are productive members of their communities. Workers will be less likely to be dependent on public welfare. Such a policy could also allow us to continue to provide opportunities for those who are poor or oppressed. While such a policy is complex, the following seven points are essential.

1. Finding ways for those who are seeking refuge from political or religious oppression to immigrate as economically productive members of society is consistent with the fundamental value of opportunity for all that has informed our history. This goal needs to remain as a primary tenet of all that we do. However, now is an appropriate time to reexamine our remedy to oppression. What standards should apply to allowing political and religious refugees who seek to enter this country?

2. The United States has to control its borders. Any policy adopted must prevent the entry of dangerous criminals and terrorists who seek to disrupt our economy by violence. Resources must be made to find those illegal immigrants who are prone to violence and deport them. However, I would reject the proposal to "build a fence along the border" as xenophobic and unworkable.

3. Any new immigration laws should serve the immediate as well as long term requirements of our economy. Several industries rely heavily on temporary workers to produce their output. With the current unemployment rate, foreign workers are particularly critical. We should significantly expand guest worker programs so that our short-run labor requirements are met. Business would face heavy fines for failure to obtain proper documentation on workers. When the workers’ employment is terminated, they would return to their native country.

4. Additionally, we should seek to encourage immigration of individuals who have skills that are in long-term short supply. We should encourage the immigration of doctors, engineers, and mathematicians. India already provides us with many engineers and we need to encourage other countries to provide workers. We should retain foreign college graduates that have desired skills and training. Expanding the H-1b visa program, which allows foreigners with special skills to work for up to six years, would go along way to relieve critical skilled labor shortages in the economy, but a number of complex issues need to be resolved. For instance, are there any circumstances under which they could renew their immigrant status or become citizens?

5. We should strive to be equitable in the rewarding of citizenship to illegal immigrants versus those who entered legally. Our program should offer a path to citizenship for existing illegal immigrants but stop short of amnesty. A bill similar to the bill introduced by Senators McCain and Kennedy in 2005 could be a part of this solution. Illegal immigrants could apply for citizenship, once they pay a fine, clear up tax problems, and learn English.

6. Expanded programs for existing and future immigrants to help them assimilate into our culture would increase productivity. Adult language programs and strong schools for children are essential. Expanded educational opportunities for immigrants and their children are crucial to the productivity of the workers.

7. Exploring some nontraditional ways of dealing with immigration can be very beneficial. Nobel Laureate Gary Becker suggests that we should welcome anyone who is not a criminal, terrorist, or carrier of a communicable disease. He even suggests that we auction off guest-worker visas.

8. Please note that I did not deal with the health care issue in the above. It can be argued that one of the biggest drawbacks to open immigration is the cost of medical care. This issue remains to be resolved.


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