One of the most serious impediments to finding a solution to the immigration challenge is the fact that the public has lost confidence in the security of our borders.  And until the government makes the borders meaningful again there can be no national consensus on the overall solution.

Foreign-born residents have made great contributions to America’s growth and development but that process has been managed within our legal system and those who came here in previous generations have always chosen to make America their primary country of citizenship rather than taking what America has to offer with no intention of becoming citizens.

We need immigrants  –  we just want legal immigrants.

We start that process by enforcing the laws we already have. Ultimately we manage it by assimilating those immigrants who want to become American citizens, favoring those who follow the rules and not rewarding illegal behavior with a move to the front of the line.

This is fundamental to both our economy and, in a post 911 world, to our national security.