Illegal Immigration

Solution

   First, the nation needs to adopt an automated interview system offered by the Department of Labor (c.f. Worker's Civil Rights). Immigrants enter the country for the jobs so anything related to the job hiring process is  relevant to the situation.

   How the automated interview system would be effective is two-fold: (1) the national registry of employment provides an accurate number of job openings that are needed for determining how many work visas should be granted in a given year, and (2) the automated system will ensure businesses will be unable to hire foreign workers that are undocumented, or have expired/invalid work visas, by denying their applications.

   By using the new system, the number of foreign immigrants admitted into the country, by asylum or otherwise, won't overwhelm the total number of job openings that may be available to them. This is important because it will prevent a large number of immigrants from entering the country without first knowing if there are actual jobs for them. Especially when considering that some immigrants may be uneducated, unskilled, or not fluent in English, which may cause difficulties with their employment.

   Another factor with immigration that needs to be reevaluated is the manner in which work visas are granted. The procedure should be changed to require applicants to first apply for a visa at their local government office in their native country. This will be necessary to verify the applicant's identification, criminal history, and other background checks for employment in this country. The new procedure will also reduce illegal border crossings since work visas will only be granted between the two government offices, which discourages a person from crossing the border without attaining one beforehand.

   Only after being granted a valid work visa may the immigrant apply for employment on the Labor Dept.'s automated system, and if accepted for a job, entry into the country.

   So, the new process is: (1) national registry of employment determines the number of jobs that foreign immigrants are needed to fulfill, (2) cooperation between nations for in-person visa registrations verifies backgrounds and prevents illegal border crossings, (3) automated interview system prescreens foreign workers for valid visas and skill knowledge prior to consideration for employment, and (4) if accepted for a job, immigrants may enter the country legally.

   Asylum requests are likewise handled in similar manner otherwise the situation would not be any different than today where immigrants are permitted into the country without first verifying their need or employment opportunity (education/skill set), which won't help their situation.

   Overall, a federally-mandated automated employment system will help prevent illegal border crossings, while at the same time, be fair and just to all immigrants who wish to become American citizens.