Before we consider overhauling our immigration laws, we should give serious consideration to the unenforced laws we already have on the books. Enforcing existing law must be a top priority in our quest to solve the illegal immigration problem. We must not only look at the physical security of our borders, which is grossly inadequate and a major national security risk, but we must consider the motivation for illegals to risk crossing our border. Companies hiring illegals is a symptom of a deeper problem with our tax policy, and the unreasonable burdens we place on industry. By making it economically viable for American companies to compete in the global marketplace by reducing or eliminating our corporate taxes, and simultaneously securing our borders, we can regain the control we need, and more effectively manage our vital process of legal immigration.

As an immigrant myself, I believe that the laws on the books must be enforced as they are written. This starts with adequately funding our Border Patrol. A nation is not a nation unless it can control its borders. Section 287g is a law that enables state and local municipalities to train their law enforcement employees to become Immigration Enforcement Agents (ICE agents). Under the current structure, those state and local municipalities are required to fund these programs on their own. One solution that I would propose is adding federal funding to make these programs more viable and effective. In addition to funding our Border Patrol and local ICE agents, we need to add more Federal ICE agents to each state to adequately assist with deportations. We need to fully fund the border fence, which has already passed through congress under the previous administration.

We should welcome all immigrants who legally enter the United States as we always have throughout our history. We also need to recognize the reasons that people, without the intent to render harm, enter our country illegally. They come to this country seeking jobs and government handouts. Illegals have caused hardships on American citizens and legal migrant job seekers because they reduce the base wage for non-skilled labor.

We need to require all federal contractors to use E-verify to ensure that our tax dollars do not continue to contribute to this problem. We also need to mandate the use of E-verify by state agencies that disburse federal funds for government programs such as Medicare/Medicaid, food stamps, WIC and public housing. These services should be reserved for the express use of legal taxpayers who contribute to their funding and need temporary assistance. In addition, this will eliminate a huge burden on our taxpayers.

Only legally recognized citizens can participate in the story that is America without hiding in the shadows. A balanced approach that meets the security needs of the United States in the 21st century can be reached without rewarding those who are here illegally. A proper guest worker program that allows for the needs of the country’s businesses, but that will not affect American employment negatively, is just one of many concepts that should be given serious consideration. We must know who is coming in, and be certain they don't fall through the cracks.