The Current State of Immigration and Reform

Here in the United States, we live some of the most privileged lives on Earth. We have the highest GDP of any nation in the world, and the highest per capita GDP in the Western Hemisphere. We have a stable democracy, good infrastructure, and a high quality of life compared to most other nations. To our south, we have many countries that are trying to find their way. Here is a list of GDPs per capita that I have compiled from the CIA website.

United States- $47,000
Mexico-$14,200 Ripe with corruption, drug trafficking
Venezuela-$13,500 Hugo Chavez
Colombia- $8,900 FARC , drug trafficking have caused instability
Peru-$8,400
Ecuador-$7,500
El Salvador-$6,200 Civil war during the 1980's set economy back for years-- Multiple natural disasters
Guatemala-$5,200 Civil war during the 1980's set economy back for years. President currently being investigated for corruption
Honduras-$4,400 Hurricane Mitch devestated Honduras in 1998
Nicaragua-$2,900 Civil war during 1980's set economy back for years

Most, but not all, of the undocumented immigrants that you will find here in the United States come from the aforementioned countries. Mexico has the highest per capita GDP of all of the Latin American countries, but its GDP per capita is still over 1/3 less than that of the USA. Nicaragua's is nearly 1/5 of Mexico's! With these statistics, it is easy to see why so many people come here from these countries. Some people ask why they do not come legally. The answer is because the visa backlog in many of these countries could be years, and it is very difficult if not impossible for a poor person to obtain a visa to the United States unless they have a family member that is a citizen in the country that is willing to sponsor them. They are willing to risk their lives to come here and do the jobs that many Americans do not want to do. With the present state of the economy, more Americans may actually be willing to do those jobs; however, once the economy gets better, things will likely be just as they were before the recession began. People will no longer be concerned about the economy, and the issue of immigration will likely take center stage again.
This time, when it gets national attention, a meaningful debate and immigration reform needs to take place. The debate needs to be free of xenophobia, racism, and a sense of superiority that some people feel over the undocumented immigrants. Here is how I would fix the immigration system:

1. Grant a five year work visa to all immigrants within the United States that are here illegally and have never had a felony. In that five year period, they must give back to the country that has given to them, completing volunteer work in the community (hours to be determined). Those who join the military or pursue higher education would be exempt from the community service. If the immigrants are in good standing with the government after five years, they will be granted LPR (legal permanent resident) status. Those who join the military would automatically be granted LPR status.

2. Improve the efficiency of the USCIS to more rapidly process visas, with a six month maximum waiting period.

3. Increase the immigrant quota from Mexico. Establish a guest worker program with Mexico in which a government taskforce monitors unemployment and determines how many guest workers can be allowed. Under the guest worker program, the worker gets a visa for three years. If their employer wishes to keep them for another three years, they would have to submit a form to USCIS. The guest worker would keep doing this every three years until he/she reaches nine years in the United States. At that point, the guest worker become eligible for legal permanent residency.

4. Establish an accurate, reliable system where employers can verify the employee's eligibility to work in the United States. Make all employers use and abide by this system.

5. Work more closely with Mexico on issues such as eliminating drug trafficking, fighting corruption, fighting poverty, and becoming a developed nation.

6. Set up a North American Security Pact in which the United States, Mexico, and Canada better share information and work more closely with each other. For example: if a person is on a terror watch list in the United States, he would be denied a visa into Canada or Mexico. (This idea would need more thought and detail before being implemented)

7. Tear down the wall

Tell me what you guys think. I feel like this could actually work!