The Centrist Party Resurfaces

The Centrist Party has been quiet for a while but now it’s time to speak up on an issue in the news.  There is a bi-partisan effort in the Congress to do something about reforming the immigration system.  As usual, the Centrist Party sees things from the middle perspective and has its own ideas about what to do with this very thorny issue.  Here is our revised proposal.

First, all those in this country illegally must self-identify to ICE.  They will be subjected to a background investigation to ensure they have never committed any crimes in the U.S., other than illegal entry.  Traffic tickets and other misdemeanor charges that don’t involve theft of property above a certain level or injury to others can be waived.  Those who have been convicted of serious crimes who re-entered the country illegally will be deported.  All of the rest will be put on a path to permanent residency without citizenship.  Once they reach the point of qualifying to become ‘green card’ holders and attain permanent residence, a program will allow those who have the desire to ultimately obtain citizenship.

During this process, all back tax obligations must be satisfied in one form or another.  Large obligations can be handled through the “offer in compromise” process. Time payment plans can be used.  The goal is to find creative solutions to allow these illegals a path to get legal

As the same time we make it clear that while we cannot fully seal our borders, on a specific date in the future, illegals entering after that date will be prosecuted and deported, after being informed that a future attempt to enter the nation illegally will result in imprisonment for an extended period.  After that they will be permanently deported and barred from re-entry.  We can’t seal the borders but we can force those who violate them into channels where they will be subjected to arrest and imprisonment if they won’t work within the system.

On the “amnesty date” those who are in the country illegally who have refused to step forward and self-identify will also become eligible for deportation.  They had a chance.  They could have come forward and opted into the program.  Choosing not is not an option for remaining in this country.  Either become legal or get deported.  There is no negative to not stepping forward, unless the person is a criminal who wouldn’t qualify for legal status.  Those people need to be deported anyway.

At the same time, the underground economy involving those who are here illegally needs to be put to a swift death.  As of late, gathering of illegals seeking work as day laborers are almost universally ignored.  Now they can be handled.  Employers will no longer exploit this pool of labor because the people who make up that pool would be able to work legally.  This program requires that ICE crack down on employers who knowingly hire illegals.