VALIDATING ILLEGAL PRESENCE IN THIS COUNTRY
(…by nullifying Federal laws against it…)

The State of California is the latest one to pass legislation authorizing “undocumented” or people illegally present in this country to obtain state drivers licenses. Effectively this legislation is validating their illegal presence in this country…by nullifying Federal laws against it. It is also a slap in the face to all those who have gone through the very difficult process to be here…legally… and makes a mockery of their efforts to observe those laws.

While the official rationale for such legislation is a concern for public safety, it is a specious premise because such people shouldn’t be here in the first place. Nor does the claim that by allowing them to have drivers licenses, these can now come out of limbo, so to speak, and be able to open bank accounts, etc.. This also is a specious rationale since foreigners can open bank accounts anyway (all they need is a valid passport, and be able to nominate a “trustee” for that account who is either a citizen, or legal resident here).

The reality is that career politicos at all levels, local, State, and Federal, like so many others, have simply pandered over many years to a highly vocal advocacy, either from political or venal motives, demonstrating how corrupt and dishonest they are about this issue, and why we now have some 12 million “illegals” freely living, working, and residing here. Adding further muddle to the situation some cities, such as San Francisco, continue with their own misguided “sanctuary” policies and ordinances forbidding local law enforcement  authorities from cooperating with federal agencies tasked with enforcing existing immigration laws.

There’s no question that our entire immigration codex is in need of serious adjustment, if not complete revision, and Congress is where we, the taxpaying voters of this country should be voicing our discontent and applying pressure against the way they continue to dodge doing so, just for their own presumed political advantage, rather than the good of the country as a whole.

So, if we’re not going to enforce such laws in any kind of meaningful and serious way, why bother having any immigration laws in the first place? Let’s do away with them altogether and replace them with the following system instead:

1)      Upon arrival at any port of entry, the immigration authorities would  require you to make a declaration of intent right then and there…visit only…extended stay… student… or… permanent residency for ultimate citizenship.

2)    Based upon your declaration, you would receive a registration card for that purpose with photo ID, thumbprint, or other biometric. Each category of registration card would have specific time frames and rights, that is:

a)    Visitor – allowed up to 3 months stay. Card imbedded with GPS element which would activate if visitor did not leave before the required departure date. Card would have to be presented upon leaving country. Right to drive, if holding valid international license. Not allowed to be employed.

b)    Extended Stay (Individual): allowed up to 36 months. Card imbedded with GPS element also. Right to drive if holding valid international license. Allowed to be employed for that period of time. Allowed to open bank account with card and national passport ID. All income from all sources here subject to applicable local, state, and federal taxes. Allowed multiple exit/entry during that period (with card turned in and retrieved each exit/re-entry). May apply for change of status after 36 months. No right to vote.

Extended Stay (Student): Undergrad allowed 48 months, with same privileges as b) above. For Post Grad: allowed to apply for extension of another 24 months.

Extended Stay (family unit): allowed 48 months. Family limited to spouse and children under 12 years of age. All issued registration cards, with similar GPS elements. Same privileges as b) above, but modified to allow for state of residence licenses. Right to own property. Right to enroll children in school, and to receive local and state provided social services. All income from all sources here subject to appropriate local, state, and federal taxes. Allowed multiple exit/r-entry as family unit with same procedures as with b) above. Not allowed to vote.

May apply for change of status after 48 months.

c)    Permanent residency for ultimate citizenship (Individual and Family Unit): Allowed 60 months continuous residency, with only one absence of less than 30 days per year. At end of period must either apply for citizenship, or leave. Cards imbedded with GPS as with others above. Same privileges as b) above. Family limited to spouse and children under 12. Children born here during that period, have right to apply for citizenship at age 18. No right to vote until sworn in as citizen.

Something along these lines would do away with the entire current system of immigration law, simplify, and eliminate many of the current contentions and problems we have about the issue today. It would be a much more rational and enforceable system. The only proviso added to that being that if anyone became involved in any kind of criminal activity, their right to remain here would be immediately revoked and they would be immediately deported.

In terms of costs, such a system would certainly be much less costly compared to the billions we currently spend on fencing off our borders, and to maintain all the enforcement personnel it currently requires.

As for all those who are currently here…illegally…they would have a strong motivation to immediately voluntarily leave the country and then return under one of these four new legal categories.

As to the question of security, such a system would have each person entering this country, properly registered in a national data bank, along with the GPS tracking element on their card. Anyone found without that card would be subject to detention until their status could be verified. Obviously there would have to be provisions for loss or damage with such cards, but procedures for that purpose could be made relatively simple. Technology could also ensure protection from counterfeiting.

The biggest improvement over the present system, however, is that we taxpaying citizens would no longer be subjected to endless hypocritical and dishonest hot air about it from our career politicos. That alone…makes it worth considering.

CENTURION