IMMIGRATION

We must secure our borders- not by building an ineffective and draconian physical wall, but by using a high-tech ˇ§virtual fenceˇ¨. For example, low-maintenance border patrol blimps can be outfitted with cameras and sensors (as well as solar panels to make them environmentally friendly and reduce long-term costs), while ground-penetrating radar imagery can allow us to find underground border tunnels. This system will increase the effectiveness of our strained border patrol officers, allowing us to improve American security in a cost-effective way without tarnishing Americaˇ¦s image as a land of freedom and liberty. We also should punish employers who intentionally and repeatedly violate the law, and definitely deport illegal immigrants who commit crimes.

On the other hand, however, we should not forget the positive contributions that ˇ§legalˇ¨ immigrants have brought to our country. We need to reform our flawed system to make it easier for well-qualified immigrants to go through the immigration process to fulfill their American Dream. Streamlining our current procedures will encourage qualified immigrants to apply for legal citizenship. Increasing the quotas for immigrants with certain desired skills that America needs can enhance our workforce to better suit the needs of future industries and make us once again productive and competitive in this global economy. We should not offer amnesty to illegal immigrants; however, we can provide a pathway to citizenship that requires them to pay a ˇ§legalization feeˇ¨ including back taxes, file the proper paperwork, and ˇ§get in lineˇ¨ behind legal applicants.