Start with fence to restrict immigration

Regarding illegal immigration, "amnesty" is a lightning rod for disagreement. Opponents say we should not reward those here illegally. Supporters say we cannot identify, process, and deport approximately 20 million individuals.

Arguments are intensified by the absence of border control. Without a regulated border, amnesty will encourage a greater flood of illegals. And currently, anyone deported is not banned but merely sent on a Mexican vacation.

If a fence is built or the border otherwise controlled, amnesty would not only succeed, it could be supported by a vast majority: Upon regulating the border, grant a three-month amnesty to anyone here illegally.

During this time they could return to their homeland free of charges or penalties. They retain the right to return to the U.S. through legal channels.

After this three-month amnesty, anyone determined to be here illegally (incident to legitimate police or governmental contact for other reasons) would be fined whatever readily available financial and property assets they have, deported immediately, and forever banned from our country.

Honest, law-abiding illegals would be given a free pass for their border transgression. The more deceitful and nefarious would be sorted out and kept out.

David McNeil

Barrington