With another upcoming Presidential election on the horizon, we are hearing more and more about amnesty for illegal aliens. The word “amnesty” includes in its definition the acknowledgement that a law has been broken and the implication that there are no plans on changing that particular law. I am generally against the idea of amnesty for anything. I prefer the rule of law… or changing a law perhaps for future situations. But more and more, I do see one way how amnesty may in fact help with our illegal immigration problem.

Imagine John Q. Illegal Immigrant. He is in the U.S. illegally (or, okay… not “illegally”, but “contrary to the immigration laws of the United States.) He is doing a job that people proclaim that “no Americans will do”. I say, Give him amnesty. Welcome him into the United States as a citizen with all of the rights that we enjoy here. Freedom! How happy John Q. is now that he no longer has to live in fear of discovery or deportation.

As part of the welcoming ceremony, we can embrace him into the customs of this great nation. First John, start giving half of your salary to the Government in federal income taxes, state income taxes, Social Security, sales tax, property tax, fees, surcharges, tariffs and what not. Also, your employer now gets to patriotically pay Social Security for you too! But your employer also gets to pay workers compensation insurance, your minimum wage salary enacted by noble people — and depending on your state — he must also provide health insurance, overtime, maternity leave, sick leave, shorter work days, child care, OSHA training and safety equipment, Material Data Safety Sheets for any hazordous materials nearby — like photocopier toner, a 401K retirement plan, sexual discrimination prevention counseling, air conditioning during mandatory break periods, and all of the relevant documentation that is required by various federal state and local authorities. You are an American now!

John may now feel that the deal he had before he was an American seems quite better than his new deal. But never mind John. Imagine the glee of John’s employer. Now we know why the employer would rather hire John off the books. He might as well just hire an American if he has to go through all of this. And regarding John and the many others in his position, the new problem may in fact be dealing with the mass exodus of people disheartened by their newly tarnished view of the American Dream.

The reason why people from other countries come to this country must be the fact that they can do better here somehow. We welcome people from anywhere who wish to come here and abide by the same rules that we have to abide by. Rather than try to turn the issue into a “race” thing, at least explore the notion that many Americans are resistant to people who are beating the system and avoiding the responsibilities that we Americans have. Come here legally. There is already a process in place for that.