Solution is respect for the law, respect for people

No issue facing America today is more emotional on both sides of the debate than immigration. When Congress talks about reforming immigration, we are debating policies that will radically change the lives of millions of people living in the United States today, and millions more who wish to live in America tomorrow. The United States has a need for immigrants who bring vitality, new ideas and innovation, and whose work provides additional fuel for the American spirit and economy. Congress must find solutions that respect the law and the people involved.

Over the last few years, I have stressed throughout my district and here in Congress that reforming the immigration problem in America is a three-step process: 1) secure our borders; 2) deal with the 12 million to 15 million illegal immigrants already here; 3) reform an immigration system under which, currently, it can take 20 years to gain citizenship legally.

Often the three are lumped together as “comprehensive immigration reform.” We must instead face these problems individually. Stopping a drug dealer from bringing meth in through the desert of Arizona has nothing to do with a meat-packer working in Iowa. Furthermore, the garment worker arrested by immigration agents in New York with a U.S. citizen child in school is a different issue than the family in Venezuela who has waited in line more than 12 years to immigrate to America. These are distinct problems, and Congress owes all parties involved the respect to deal with them accordingly.

BORDER SECURITY

Last year, Congress addressed the problem of securing our borders, and while we can still debate the merits of a virtual or real fence, or any of the dozens of other proposals included in that package, the reality is those steps have made a real difference. What was a super-highway of humans and narcotics flowing across our border is now a two-lane road with traffic slowing down.

ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS

Congress must now turn its attention to dealing with the 12 million to 15 million illegal immigrants currently residing in the United States. We must find a solution that will bring them out of the shadows, protect them from exploitation, make them pay taxes and legally integrate them into the workforce they are already in.
Illegal immigrants will be given a choice: If they want to become a citizen then they have to return to their home country and get into the legal immigration line. However, if they want to stay in America and work, they may, but that privilege will never convert to citizenship. These temporary workers would have to meet a certain standard. Drug dealers, sex offenders, gang members or felons would not be eligible. Most immigrants are committed to being a part of our economy and must meet these minimum standards.  In addition, these visas should have a simple fee, around $100 a month. This is reasonable for a worker to be a part of the greatest economy on Earth and offset our budgetary costs for processing and monitoring these visas while they work in America. If they want to become United States citizens, they have to return to their home country and get into the lawful immigration line.

We must do all this in a way that respects the laws of our nation and the people involved, bringing closure to this difficult problem. We proved 20 years ago that granting a blanket amnesty will not stop future illegal immigration. Instead, we need a new approach that deals with the realities we face in the U.S. economy desperate for workers.

LEGAL IMMIGRATION

Finally, having secured our border and addressed the problem of illegal immigrants in the United States, Congress then must turn its full attention to the matter of fixing a broken legal immigration system. We must deal with the real questions of how to make this system fairer, more responsive and more respectful without the emotional burden of fighting over illegal immigration and border security. We must find solutions to bring families together, while letting new, skilled immigrants come to the United States. We must ensure we have a stable workforce and growing economy.

More than 200 years ago, immigrants striving to improve their lives, freeing themselves from tyrannical governments and holding in their hearts the dream of freedom, founded the United States. Immigrants coming to the United States today are striving for the same ideals that have been with us throughout our history. We must find a solution to these problems while ensuring that both immigrants and the law are treated with respect.

Pearce is a member of the Financial Services and Resources committees.

SPECIAL SECTION: IMMIGRATION

Flake-Guiterrez bill, the STRIVE Act, toughens enforcement,  offers no amnesty, eases legal entry
700-page STRIVE Act reflects long, inclusive debate
The urgent need for AgJOBS legislation
National and economic security must drive the immigration reform debate
Solution is respect for the law, respect for people
Honest reform, true feasibility versus pusillanimous pandering, wink-‘n-nod
Uncle Sam’s welcome mat should not be trampled on