The New Colossus," by Emma Lazarus, written for and inscribed on the base of the Statue of Liberty. "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free; send these, the homeless tempest-tossed, to me; I lift my lamp beside the golden door."

Throughout our history, this statement expresses a welcome to those people coming from Europe, Asia, Latin America, South America and the Middle East to the United States of America. What bound them together was a strong work ethic, solid family ties, a willingness to obey the law and become an American. These immigrants built the fabric of our country through hard work and sacrifice. We owe them a debt that can never be paid.

For the most part what was true in the past is true today. However, the fact remains that this country has no control of its borders and illegal immigration runs rampant. It is a grave crisis perpetuated by business and government. Let us take each section of this issue, from border control, to immigrant education, to a worker program, one step at a time.

To begin, it must be stated that person hiding in the trunk of a car – maybe with some family members – is desperately coming across the southern border, to make a better life for him and his loved ones. Earning a paltry $2.00 an hour or less to perform difficult back backing work is much better than nothing. People are risking everything to be able to support a family. But what happens when they arrive? Frightened that they will be deported, the common illegal accepts the wage from a business that is clearly exploiting them to secure a low wage cost.

It is time to change the dynamics of this tragic game. The current law for any employer violating immigration law must be enforced. To do so, politicians have to hear the call from the people that coddling of business for votes has to end. The Internal Revenue Service has to audit firms who knowingly hire undocumented workers. Punitive fines and harsh penalties must be given uniformly and consistently. For those companies that mistakenly hire them – that is, taxes are accounted for and all is in good faith, then a careful review is in order. This action will dry up the low wage incentive to hire illegals because the cost of being caught is higher than potential profit. Then, these workers have no reason to sacrifice to make the journey across the US/Mexican/Canadian border. The result should be fewer arrests and returns to the country of origin.

Now along the border, we have to examine where a strong fence makes sense in conjunction with the surrounding area. High traffic portions will receive a durable barrier while open spaces could use predator drones. These high tech objects can fly and examine areas where a member of the border patrol can not. The amount of these agents, by the way, should be in the amount of 10,000. The rule for apprehension should be humane but firm. Once a person crosses the border in this manner, he or she should be arrested and escorted back to the country of origin.

Our next focus is immigration education. It should be agreed that the time frame for gaining entrance to this country is a long and laborious process. Instructions to the INS must concentrate on quickly streamlining the wait for a lawful immigrant. Then upon securing opportunity for success here, the new American has to learn how to be one. A quote from Theodore Roosevelt is key: “In the first place, we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is an outraged to discriminate against such men because of creed or birthplace origin. But this is predicated upon the person’s becoming in every facet an American and nothing but an American. There can be no divided allegiance here.” The policy implications of this statement by the former President would mean a strong effort to teach English, a concerted focus on learning American history and a glaring emphasis on understanding our proud traditions and opportunities. Given enough time, the voting booth should have directions in one language and not several dozen.

Turning to a guest worker program, there must be clear guidelines. First, a contract has to be signed to pay taxes and obey the law. Then, a background check from the country of origin should be made monthly to verify criminal convictions. Next, each worker would have a card to absolutely confirm identity. Perhaps a type of bio scan in the form of eye recognition is in order. Whatever is used, tampering or forgery should be the exception not the norm. Further, a firm time period of work has to be written and enforced. Once it has ended, then the worker has to leave the country.

For the person who has never been in this country, the worker program could serve to expedidite the immigration process if this person so chooses. What about those illegals who are currently residing here? Given a strong government crackdown on business and a new id card, work for the illegal will eventually end and many will leave. For those that do stay, a carrot and stick approach of fines and incentives must be considered. For example, someone who is here for a year and is a drifter can not be viewed the same as a small business man who has lived here for ten years and provided employment for others.

In conclusion, we see that if new ideas and strategies are used to combat illegal immigration then the legal immigrant has a clear opportunity to realize a new life here in the land of freedom. It is time think anew and realize that the dream is there for all who struggle to this great country.

MAJOR CONCEPTS AND IDEAS are the property of Newt Gingrich.