Irwin Tyler - February 12, 2013

From its birth this country has been one both of laws and compassion. Yet, the main concern for the illegal entrants (not immigrants – which they are not) already in our country focuses on some path to citizenship. No matter what the path, this emphasizes the compassion side of our nature, without the true balance of law. I suggest, instead, the following (after our borders are secured):

1. Legal residency (compassion) but no citizenship (law)

2. Access to all rights of citizens (compassion) except voting (law)

3. Free choice of employment, union membership, etc. (compassion) but no preferential treatment such as veterans or certain students receive (law)

4. Free choice to live where they want to and can afford to, and freedom to travel outside this country and return (compassion) but no status to sponsor any legal immigration request from anyone from their home country, even if it is their parent or their child (law)

5. No prosecution for having entered this country illegally (compassion) but a fine (law) that is meaningful without being excessively severe (compassion), based on the length of time they had been here illegally

6. Social Security and Medicare benefits when eligible (compassion) but no credit for any Social Security contributions prior to receiving legal residency status (law)

A program as I suggest will demonstrate the best virtues of our country. At the same time it should discourage many in their home countries from attempting their own illegal entry, since true full amnesty and citizenship will never be offered to them