Illegal immigration issue (like the drug war) could be kicked in the eye tomorrow by legalizing it. We need to just friggn admit a certain number of low wage earners are needed for the economy to survive "as is", for now... and figure out that number.
It would require clamping down on the border much harder, keep the criminals out, let the real "workers" in. They can pay a small fee to be a legal guest worker, or get an employer sponsor. Their guest worker wages will be taxed a small amount and companies will pay fees for the privilege to hire them.. $$ that will cover the costs of the program... let them pay for it all so we dont have to. As guest workers they have limited rights to .gov services.
After clamping down the border, allow US companies to recruit qualified guest workers in Mexico, or at the border, where they can load buses & trains to take their guest workers to where they're needed. Let these people stand around waiting for a job down in Tijuana, rather than in front of my place every frikn day.
If these people no longer fall under "Title 8" status, States & local law enforcement can more effectively and aggressively arrest & deport the criminals without help, or "permission" from the incompetent Feds.
