"Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

 - Emma Lazarus, on the Statue of Liberty pedestal

American is the land of opportunity and competition makes our nation great.  I am a strong proponent of the opportunity to pursue the American dream through the process of legal immigration, but I am opposed to all forms of illegal immigration.

America has adequate laws against illegal immigration, but they are poorly enforced by an inadequate number of ICE agents in the States.  The United States must combine the increasingly successful efforts to strengthen our borders together with an increase in ICE agents and a comprehensive program of legal verification (E-Verify) at the national, state, and local levels. 

Finally, the root of the problem is access to many government aid programs.  Denying access to these programs is essential to stop the incentives for people to come to America illegally.

For the Illegal Immigrants already in the United States:

Illegal immigrants and those who do not willingly disclose their illegal status should be deported immediately upon discovery. 

Illegal immigrants who come forward and declare their illegal status should be given the choice to (1) return to their home country peacefully, or (2) pay a large fine and endure a 7-year penalty period during which they must learn English, have no problems with the law, pay taxes and receive no government aid or entitlements. 

Only after serving this 7-year penalty period should illegal immigrants be allowed to apply for legal naturalization starting at the end of the line.  It is a tough price to pay, but the law was broken and a tough price must be paid.