Amnesty that Pays for Itself?!

Senators Charles Schumer (D-NY) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) have emerged with a plan to address the illegal immigration issue that is currently at the forefront of public debate.

"Americans overwhelmingly oppose illegal immigration and support legal immigration. Throughout our history, immigrants have contributed to making this country more vibrant and economically dynamic. Once it is clear that in 20 years our nation will not again confront the specter of another 11 million people coming here illegally, Americans will embrace more welcoming immigration policies.

Our plan has four pillars: requiring biometric Social Security cards to ensure that illegal workers cannot get jobs; fulfilling and strengthening our commitments on border security and interior enforcement; creating a process for admitting temporary workers; and implementing a tough but fair path to legalization for those already here."

Most Americans can probably get on board with the first three "pillars".

It's the last one that most Americans would object to. Giving full citizenship to illegal aliens, who by definition broke existing immigration laws to come to America, would set a horrible precedent and would give a meaningful reward to those who have committed illegal acts.

The "price" that Senators Schumer and Graham suggest that illegal immigrants should pay for full citizenship is ripe for cheating and non-compliance.

"For the 11 million immigrants already in this country illegally, we would provide a tough but fair path forward. They would be required to admit they broke the law and to pay their debt to society by performing community service and paying fines and back taxes. These people would be required to pass background checks and be proficient in English before going to the back of the line of prospective immigrants to earn the opportunity to work toward lawful permanent residence."

The Center for Immigration Studies has done an outstanding job discussing why it would be a challenge to collect even a smidgen of the back taxes the illegal immigrants owe.

Giving full citizenship to 11 million illegal immigrants should not simply be an economic bargain in which the price to be paid is in effect whatever the illegal immigrants say it should be.

Consequently, this is yet another bill in Congress that should not and hopefully will not ever be passed.