A common sense plan to fix the illegal migrant mess

One of President Donald J. Trump’s strongest election talking points is now biting him in the ass, according to recent polls. The American people, which once enthusiastically embraced his promises of mass deportation, have turned against it because of the ugly reality of how it is being carried out. 

Like DOGE, which seemed great on paper, a public opinion U-turn was created when Americans saw a chain saw indiscriminately hacking through programs that they like, or thought were important, or even benefitted themselves. 

The principle — slashing waste, fraud, and abuse, was still popular — but the method, brutal cuts, and the man, Elon Musk, were not.

While mostly legal, the  raw ugliness of ICE workplace raids, the arrest of people whose only crime was illegal entry, turned Americans against ICE, which was only doing its job by enforcing federal law. Americans generally are a compassionate people.

Like it or not, the majority of Americans have changed their mind about  enforcement. Even Trump had brief second thoughts recently about agricultural and hospitality workers.

Two-thirds of Americans now want a path to legal status for illegals, according to a recent poll.  

When Trump was campaigning, about two-thirds wanted deportation. There has been a tremendous reversal over six months. Gallup reports Americans want more immigrants, less enforcement. 

So we have a new reality. Trump still has the upper hand. ICE has turned the threat of enforcement into reality. Now would be a perfect time for the president to call an audible and endorse a sensible exit ramp. Fortunately, there is one.

We have a new solution, a reasonable, compassionate bill sponsored by Florida Republican Congresswoman Maria Elvira Salazar, who has tried this before, and I have applauded her before. Like me, she is looking for a nonpartisan solution combining justice and mercy. Her bill is cosponsored by Texas Democratic Congresswoman Veronica Escobar, and 10 other Republicans. More Democrats should join in, if they are serious about solutions.

You can read a summary of the Dignity Act of 2025 here. 

Here are a few highlights. 

First, a path to legal status, but not citizenship. This is not amnesty — there are costs to the illegals. (Salazar does not say this, but I will: Denying them citizenship prohibits them from voting, and being used as a political football. Loss of the voting franchise is one or the prices they pay for illegal behavior.)

The legal status will be achieved over time, requiring the applicant to meet certain benchmarks: Dreamers would be protected and would be eligible for citizenship; persons here since Dec. 31, 2020, would be eligible to work and travel, but would have to pay $7,000 over 7 years, pay back taxes, pass a background check, and receive no federal entitlement programs; DHS would regard family separation as a hardship; plus a $20,000 fee to expedite visas for those waiting more than 10 years. That last one is a nonstarter for me — crazy expensive. But I am not looking for perfection.

The bill also requires Homeland Security to take whatever measures necessary to keep the border leakproof. 

There’s more in the bill, of course, many minuscule details.

But the Big Picture is this: It provides a path to legalization for millions of illegals who most Americans want to keep here.

Not including those convicted of violent crimes here or abroad. They must leave.

Maybe this time around Rep. Salazar’s bill will have a chance.

If you read the bill and agree with it, spread it around.