Let's face it, there are jobs in America, especially in California where I live, that do not pay enough money for me to even think about doing it. And those jobs have been providing some level of income to illegal immigrants. And yes, there is extreme abuse by employers in regards to pay levels, work conditions and benefits, and those conditions ripple out to housing, healthcare and education concerns as well.

The immigration issue will be is a swing issue in the West.  Do we build the wall to keep illegal Mexican immigrants out of the US? (Insert whose gonna built it joke here). I don't want to see a "wall" built, but I would like to see a different type of security employed at the border. I am not certain what that is yet. It confusing. Do we require and provide US identification cards for non-US citizens, such as drivers licenses or work permits? What about foreign nationals here for education reasons who need to work but are not here to establish a home? And if we close the gate to the southwest fence, who is going  to make my Pico de Gallo?

So here is my take on it to establish my foundation, and over the course of this experiment I will most like change my position on one of many of these statements.

First - when you cross the border in any fashion into the US, you have to have documentation. You must have a passport. You must have a photo ID. You must have some visible or documented method of financial support during your stay in my country. If you cross the border by plane or by car or boat or train, you must state why you are here, how long you are here for, and provide the appropriate documents.  You will be logged into a information system, and when you leave, on time, you will be logged out. If you decide to stay for an extended period beyond that which you have been approved, you must seek out and obtain additional permission.

Second - if you are detained by authorities without the proper identification you will be arrested and deported. You will not have the ability to re-enter this country legally. Your will be flagged as a criminal. You will not be given a hearing, a trial or a conversation as to  why you willingly broke the laws of this country and crossed the border without proper authority. My brother, who lives overseas, must periodically and without fail update his working resident status by providing a certain level of documentation and proof of ability to maintain an income in order to continue living in this foreign country.  If he does not obey the laws of this country, he will be detained and held until he is deported. End of story. He will also not be allowed back through legal channels.

Third - if you  knowingly employ an undocumented and unauthorized worker, you will be arrested, your business will be fined, and your records will be reviewed. Any workers that are in your employ and are not documented and do not have the proper permission to work and live in America will be detained and deported. Legal action from a state and local level will be executed to insure that you will obey the laws of this country moving forward, or risk loosing it all.

Am I against immigration? No. I believe everyone regardless of their nation of residence should have the right to seek  a living and employment relationship in any country that will grant them permission to do so. I believe that if you want to make a go of it here in the US, you must do a few things first: Apply for a visa. Apply for a worker's permit. Provide proof of identity. Define a length of stay that you are authorized to continue in the US and maintain your living and employment situation. Hell, I hope one day to be able to move to Barcelona, or London, or Lisbon and to be able to work and live there for as long as I want to. But I also know that I will have to learn to speak the language, provide proof of income, pay taxes, keep up with my documentation and check in from time to time.

If I do not comply with those items, ship my ass home. I don't belong there as I am not respecting the rules of engagement. When I chose to ignore or avoid those things that are required I have chosen to live outside of the law. After that, the course of action is obvious. I am a criminal.

And the rest is pretty fucking easy to figure out. Of course there will be people how "sneak" across the border. If you are caught you should be deported. Yes, I understand you are looking for a better life, a better wage, a better health care system, a better cable provider.... but I don't care if you do not go through the established channels of immigration. You should be deported. If I have to follow rules in your country, you have to follow rules in mine.

Now, about the drivers license issue. Anyone wanting to drive a vehicle in the United States of America MUST PASS either a state test if they are a legal resident of that state, or a national test if they are an authorized, documented foreign national. If you are here on a holiday, and you have a driver's permit from Spain, you must take a simple written test, in English, that establishes that you have the ability to understand the signs and safety laws of this country. ITS A SAFETY ISSUE FOLKS.

The conversation about "well then terrorists will be able to get IDs" is such bullshit. They can get IDs. Trust me on that. I got IDs as a kid so I didnt have to shoulder tap anymore for my booze. If you are worried about terrorists obtaining an ID, your worries are so misplaced. Worry about the guy that is boiling up some meth in the upstairs apartment across from the local Fed Ex distribution warehouse that he rents using cash he gets after his ol'lady cashs in her assistance check and foodstamps, less of course, a "service fee". He likes the location because of the high and predictable traffic patterns that tend to camoflauge is frequent customer base. He is the worse kind of terrorist and HE has a license.  If Macgyver can diffuse a bomb on a runaway train that is without a pilot, set to destroy the bridge just as the presidential motorcade is crossing under it with a band-aid, a wad of gum and a thimble full of matchless lighter fluid... well, my point is that terrorists already have driver's licenses. I just threw in the Macgyver thing because he is cool.

OK.... so to wrap this post up. I think we should require driver's licenses for all. Its a safety issue. I will look for a candidate that will support this.  I don't not think "the fence" is the appropriate solution. I do think we should be strict, fast and firm in our handling of illegal and undocumented people in this country. 

I am going to pay some close attention to what the Hispanic voters say about this issue. After all, it is closer to their home than mine. In fact, when it comes to this issue, I am the tourist. And this is just the tip of the iceberg that will eventually uncover issues with education, health care, living conditions, welfare... so many things...

But hey.. as my good friend Missy would say if she were here (and I was fictionalizing the rest of the conversation...) "come on, just start with the tip."