I'm writing this for two reasons:
- There haven't been too many blogs on what an actual immigration plan should or shouldn't look like.
- "OMG Arizona NOOOOOOOOO" sounds a lot like the GOP in reference to the HIS bill: lots of "no", not much of "here's a better plan."
So here goes. Rough draft obviously since I have neither the time nor will to write it in legalese. Emphasis on "practical" and "reasonable", while upholding the rule of law; less emphasis on "Fair", "feelings", "emotions", "yeah but that makes me feel sorry and bad", and "punitive punishment".
2010 Immigration & Naturalization plan for the United States of America.
Objectives:
- To more concisely A. enforce border and immigration integrity and security, and B. deal with the millions of undocumented & illegally-entered immigrants in the US.
Infrastructure
1. Central Computer system
Described below.
2. OASIS border stations.
OASIS border/immigration stations will be set up at one border location in each state along the southern border with Mexico (Texas will have 2), and one each constructed in New York, Florida, northern California, and Michigan. Temporary locations will be set up across the 50 states for 1 year after plan is enacted.
OASIS border/immigration complexes will exist for the purpose of evaluating immigration status, sponsorship, electronic guest cards, and medical evaluation of potential immigrants.
3. International money-transfer tax
All forms of money transfer by a non-citizen currently residing in the US will be subject to a 5% tax upon transfer (excludes gambling winnings).
Immigration & Guest-Working
The immigration and guest-worker system will be completely revamped, including a central computer system that tracks all incoming & outgoing non-citizens via an electronic card that must be carried at all times while traveling in the US. The electronic card will act as both ID and driving privilege, and each state will endorse driving privileges as they see fit, and provided funding by the Federal Government in order to upgrade and connect their DMV's to the central system.
A. Those wishing to live & work in the United States will have their applications processed electronically. Those potential immigrants with verifiable skills which are on the "most-desired" list compiled by the Labor Dept/US Chamber of Commerce/Commerce Dept. will be fast-tracked and will be eligible to receive green-card status within 2 weeks; those merely wishing to emigrate into the US must wait 3 months and show adequate assets in order to support themselves and dependents for a period of at least 6 months, UNLESS sponsored by an employer in the US who will vouch for the need of their labor.
B. Green cards shall be renewable, and must be renewed, each year, and proof of employment (not having expired more than 2 months prior to renewal date) shall be required in order for the green card to be renewed.
C. Citizenship will be available after at least 5 years of solid green-card work history and clean criminal background, provided the existing requirements are also met (those not superceded or eliminated by this plan). Those non-citizens serving in the US military will be eligible after 2 years of service and shall be fast-tracked, provided they are not dishonorably discharged prior to the application being approved. Green-card status may not be maintained for more than 8 consecutive years, regardless of employment or sponsorship.
D. Those individuals who are not citizens and are not employed in the US, but are legally married to a US citizen, shall be granted expedited green-card guest status. Should the marriage dissolve or the spouse decease, spouse must return to an OASIS center within 6 months with verification of employment, UNLESS he/she is responsible for children of the deceased & immigrant, in which case permanent green-card status will be provided until the children reach the age of 18.
Naturalization
A. All undocumented immigrants currently living in the US, that entered the US as a minor and have lived in the US for at least 5 years, shall be fast-tracked for green-card status, provided they are at least 18 years of age and can provide proof of current or recent employment. All undocumented under the age of 18 but currently residing for 5 years or more in the US shall retain the status of their parents and/or guardians. If no guardians exist and the underage undocumented immigrant wishes to remain in the US, they will be placed in foster care.
B. All adult undocumented immigrants currently residing in the US and wishing to remain must report to an OASIS station within 6 months of the plan's enactment and must provide:
- Proof of employment or recent employment (2 months)
- $500 illegal entry fine
- submission to physical and blood test
- clean background check conducted instantly by the center
Failure to submit any of the above requirements can lead to detainment and deportation.
C. Elderly undocumented immigrants must be sponsored and vouched for by a current citizen or card-holder in order to remain in the US. $500 illegal entry fine still applies.
Enforcement
Besides the regulations above, employers will be subject to a severe fine and possible confiscation of business license and assets for not dutifully verifying the citizenship status of its employees.
DMV's of the respective states MAY NOT issue drivers' licenses or non-driving ID's to anyone who is unable to verify citizenship or guest status.
Only life-saving, emergency care will be provided at hospitals and healthcare centers when no ID or guest-card is present on the patient and no family or friends can provide verification of status.
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Issues with the above plan:
- It's not perfect, but no plan of any type concerning any issue is; there are always loopholes, corruption, and cheating that occur. My plan does not assume to be the first plan ever that won't be subject to cheating.
- We all forget ID sometimes (or have it stolen or destroyed or whatever). Cops may do as they wish if we get pulled over or detained without proper ID, just as they can do now within their legal duty.
- Obviously all undocumented (especially those who don't meet the requirements to remain) won't come to the centers for their cards, but hopefully the enforcement on the businesses, healthcare centers and ID's will be sufficient for most of them to not remain.
- 10 million undocumented x $500 = $5,000,000,000 for the debt weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee