Yes, you can be a pro-immigration, anti-illegal immigration advocate

America’s immigration policy can be a hot topic. Just discussing immigration can break up friendships and even cause a rift between family members. With a President Trump, things will continue to get worse before they get better.

The line is usually drawn and sides seem to be forced into two extreme camps: open border proponents or “wall builders.” Even if your opinion on immigration falls somewhere in the middle, passionate people on the subject will place you in one of the two camps. Basically, “you are with us or against us” mentality. But immigration is a complex issue and not that simple. In my case, I’m a pro-immigration, anti-illegal immigration advocate. Let me explain.

I get extremely annoyed when politicians, almost always Democrat, say you are against immigrants when you oppose their sanctuary city policies. It’s like saying you are against rape and they say you are against sex. They are either stupid, not listening or just trying to court the illegal immigration base. Either way they are dishonest and pushing you into the wall builder category. 

For me, we are a nation of laws and I respect immigration laws of other countries when I travel abroad. After serving 20 years in the Air Force, I’ve been to 22 countries and always make sure I enter the country legally; I get my passport up-to-date and get any required visas. Is it asking too much to ask for other people to do the same? I can also tell you that most countries have tougher immigration laws than America. 

If you are an open border advocate, what do you do when visiting other countries? I bet you enter other countries legally. 

Regardless of what side of the immigration argument you are on, you likely agree that the system we have right now in America isn’t working. In an odd way, I fall into both camps on many of topics of immigration. I’m for increased legal immigration while cracking down on illegal immigration.

For example, I believe legal immigrating to America is too costly and takes too long. If I were President I would increase the size of government that processes immigration requests and triple the amount of legal immigration into America. I would also remove most of the cost to apply. Let’s open our country to law abiding citizens and make the cost negligible, so a person has no reason to enter the country illegally. I’ve consistently stated to friends, if you are not a criminal and can contribute to my country, I want you to come to America. That’s what America has always been about and should continue to be. 

While being a strong advocate for legal immigration increases, we have to double down on penalties for those who come to America illegally. If we reduce all barriers to coming to America legally, you have no reason to come here illegally unless you are a criminal. 

Yes, you can be a pro-immigration, anti-illegal immigration advocate.