Solving the Illegal Immigration Problem: A Start

City by city, state by state, citizens are taking action to stop illegal immigration. They know that the solution is not any type of amnesty. Rather, we must make it untenable to remain in this country illegally. If we do this with consistency, those who are here illegally will decide to voluntarily return to their home countries.

How can we do this? Cities and states across this country are passing legislation that does things like:

• Allow police to check on legal status during routine stops and arrest those they find who are here illegally.
• Require legal status to register students in schools
• Require proof of legal status to apply or enroll in universities and colleges
• Check legal status at admission to hospitals. (Give service in true emergencies but notify law enforcement for arrest upon discharge.)
• Require proof of legal status before receiving any social services.
• Require legal status to receive any form of official identification, including driver's licenses.
• Refuse to grant city or state contracts to employers who do not do background checks that include proof of legal status of their employees.
• Establish laws that allow landlords to refuse to rent to illegal aliens.
• Require proof of legal status to buy a house, apply for a mortgage, buy insurance, or open bank accounts.
  

These are just some of the things that cities like Jacksonville and states like Florida can and should be doing. It should be done at the federal level, but until then, local entities can and should do it. Our immigration laws must be enforced. We must make it so difficult or impossible for illegal aliens to live here that they will choose to return or not come here in the first place.