The Carrot And Stick Aproach To Immigration Reform

According to a Los Angelos Times article Congress is considering passing a legislation that would cause a fence to go up between Mexico and the United States. They are also expanding the enforcement and judicial arms of the border security services. This sounds like they have finally taken the provide for a common defense clause in the Constitution more seriously. But that is only half the equation since the Mexican people are in desperate straits.

I believe that the requirements for entering our country have to be changed. The requirements I propose to satisfy the desire for a more perfect union is knowledge of the English language at a level where the individual can conduct the basic of everyday business with the average American. They should also know the Declaration of Independence, John Locke's Second Treatise on Civil Government, The Virginia Bill of Rights and The Constitution. To satisfy security and justice needs of the United States a background check needs to be run on each individual and a reasonable waiting period of 3 months. The government would also require a DNA sample, fingerprints, retina scan, and picture before allowing anyone to enter the United States legally.

All of this would be a cost of entering the United States. I would do all of this because I believe all humanity has a right to liberty but that right can be limited for the noble purpose of defending our country and preserving our culture. I do not believe that anything I propose here puts an unreasonable burden on those who desire to become American citizens.