Dear editor:
I have the solution to the immigration problem in the United States. No one wants to hear it, but I have it.
The first obstacle is for both parties to admit there is an immigration problem. That's a simple, pragmatic acknowledgment of facts: 100 years ago, in 1918, the Census Bureau recorded 103.3 million registered citizens. Fifty years later, in 1968, it was 200.7 million. Current reports list the legal U.S. citizen population at 325.7 million. So we've grown. Very rapidly, as societies and nations go. Land doesn't. Resources don't, not at that rate. So we have to, at some point admit, and look at, the fact that finite resources such as food, water, energy, land, jobs, etc. are not increasing as rapidly as the rate of population. This is not a moral or political party issue, just an issue, period.
The answer is simple: We place at least a five-year moratorium on immigration. That may sound harsh, and my heart does go out to people from terrible countries who are trying to escape and only want a better life for their family, but it has to be done. Charity begins at home.
Second, we admit that there is no easy way to simply round up or deport the estimated 10 million or more that are currently inside our country illegally. Many, or most, of these are law-abiding citizens contributing to our society. But they are illegal. And laws have to mean something.
Therefore, we give them six months to take the proper steps to apply or further their application status. During which time a proper screening and vetting process takes place. Those with "flags" such as felonies, violent crimes, sexual crimes, etc., are deported immediately. Those deemed to be safe and contributing to society are given an "Earned U.S. Citizenship Status." What would that mean? They sign a waiver that if they commit any such deemed acts moving forward, they are subject to immediate deportation without due process (they have not earned it). In the meantime, they not only forego any and all government benefits (food stamps, HUD housing, free health care, subsidies, etc.), but they must also make a $1,000 per year payment to the U.S. government for the next five years, at which time they will be granted citizenship. That money would be specifically earmarked toward paying down the national debt; it could not be borrowed against or used for any other purpose. U.S. citizenship is not a birthright, it is a privilege.
So there is the answer to the immigration problem. Will any of our current elected officials have the courage or common sense to take this on? I seriously doubt it.
Ron Collins, USMC retired
Hot Springs
Editorial on 11/07/2018