What if the government developed and mandated tools for workplace enforcement of our immigration laws? What if we carefully evaluated the results?
Wouldn't serious workplace enforcement of existing immigration laws would cut off one of the chief benefits and economic supports for those who are choosing to violate American immigration laws. What then?
Deprived of the economic means of support, would not more undocumented immigrants choose to return to their countries of origin? Would those considering overstaying their visas or illegally crossing the border think better of the idea, if there was very little chance they could find work?
What if the government clearly and seriously announced, as these tools were being developed, refined, and applied, that there would be no forthcoming consideration of legalization?
What if, when the tools of workplace enforcement had been in successful operation for several years, we then took up the much narrower and limited case of illegal immigrants who had been brought to this country as small children and lived here for at least a decade, illegal immigrants who married LPRs or citizens, or the cases of long-term illegal residents here for more than decade who had had children born in the United States.
Just asking…