New Policy For Immigrants

Cogport proposes Initiation of a New Amnesty program for Illegal Immigrants. It's been done before.

Background

Ronald Reagan proposed and passed a law with a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants with the Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA) of 1986.

Amnesty for Undocumented Immigrants

• Offered legal status (and a path to permanent residency and citizenship) to undocumented immigrants who:

• Had entered the U.S. before January 1, 1982, and

• Had resided continuously in the U.S. since then.

• Over 2.7 million people eventually received legal status through this law.

• Path to Citizenship

After five years as a lawful permanent resident (green card holder), eligible individuals could apply for U.S. citizenship through naturalization.

In the current environment we face a situation much larger than 1986. 

There are now over 10 Million undocumented immigrants in the U.S.

Many of those who crossed the border in the last five years had criminal backgrounds.  Most others were seeking a better life.

In 2025, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) resumed enforcement with worksite raids across industries like agriculture, hospitality, construction, and meatpacking. In 2025, raids occurred at farms, construction sites, home supply stores, and restaurants.

They have scooped up many with criminal backgrounds. 

Here is an estimate of the ICE activity in 2025:

• 120,000 people arrested by ICE in 2025.

• ~30% with criminal convictions (per detention snapshot).

• 36,000 arrests of immigrants with criminal records.

Taking 36,000 bad people off the street is a good thing.

What about the rest of the immigrants ?

With 10 Million illegal residents, it is totally impractical to think that ICE can find and deport them.

They have embedded in the economy in an undocumented way with employment off the record and no taxes paid, although they consume public services and benefits.

COGPORT PROPOSAL:

Update the IRCA Act of 1986 to allow the new immigrants to absorb into the country.

Offer a path to legalization for the illegals:

• Apply for U.S. resident status and receive a green card after background vetting.

• After 3 Years with legal resident status, they may apply for naturalization as a U.S. Citizen

• The applicants must demonstrate proficiency in English and the laws of the Constitution for acceptance as U.S. Citizens.

Benefits

ICE does not need to chase down immigrants, other than the criminal elements.

The immigrants become contributing members of Society paying their fair share of taxes and benefits.

Recent Policy – 2025 – Wrong Direction

Trump has introduced a “Gold Card” Policy  in which rich applicants first pay a processing fee (about $15,000) and then must make a $1 million “contribution” to receive a residency-equivalent card, which provides permanent residency and a pathway to citizenship.

Result of a New Amnesty Law

The new people become legal and contribute their share to the Country.  They could earn a fair wage, and not undercut general wages with off-record employment. That practice drags down earnings potential for low and middle income Citizens in the U.S.

In the meantime, ICE should concentrate its efforts on dangerous people, not the common immigrant.

Conclusion

New immigration policy is needed with proper vetting.  We should welcome people to the country that can contribute to society, and not foment trouble.

The U.S. should not have exorbitant fees for entry.  That is not our heritage.

Continue to protect the Border from illegal entry to avoid another situation like we have now. 

We can only hope Trump sees the light on this issue.

David Hollaender                                            December 17, 2005

Cogport.com