Barry Soetoro

Immigration reform. Republicans need to embrace this as their issue and, as the the president has said (unfortunately meaning it will change later), there needs to be a mechanism to bring illegals into the line for citizenship. As he has embraced the obvious, the process will need recognition that they are illegal and this must be addressed with a fine. As illegals they will need to go, in the president’s words, “to the back of the line.” But we need them with us, and frankly, many if not most Americans want to have them here. We need to make it legal, promptly with issuance of visitation and work papers, and permanently through a citizenship process.
The reform can also address legitimate concerns which the Democrats are ignoring for expediency. Illegals who do not start the process should be deported, never to return. Children of illegals should not automatically become citizens, but should get the same status as their parents, or ultimately work through process on their own. If legally here then most certainly same access to schools, health care, and our courts as citizens. No affirmative action – we do not need another group told they are victims and then have the prophecy fulfill itself. Secure the border from the criminal element – we do not need the Mariel Boatlift without the boats. Punish employers who employ illegals. But let us do something positive with this because we were built with immigrants and our nation, and our hearts, know that this is the right thing to do.
No ulterior motive, like Democrats trying to “buy” votes. We need to welcome our (mostly) Hispanic brothers and sisters to share in our dream (which hopefully will still be alive by 2012). Great people that we can proudly have as our neighbors, employers, employees, friends, and fellow Americans.
They deserve better than to be used by the Democrats as a political tool.