Both the Republican and Democratic parties, not only in Congress but also the White House, have failed to properly tackle the issue of illegal immigration and has failed properly deal with the services offered by illegal immigrants. America consists of many illegal immigrants, and lacks a considerable population of legal ones, at least those who possess redeemable skills in the scientific or entrepreneurial arenas.

The government needs to address both of these immigration issues.

It is naïve for one to think that we can establish a fully closed or open border. However, we need to make every effort possible to ensure that our borders are secure. Prospective immigrants need to be properly screened before being allowed into the country. The screening process should entail a criminal background check, a health examination, and finally a check for terrorist connections. The U.S. can only hope to enact a feasible legal immigration policy if it secures its borders against illegal border crossings.

Government benefits and other services need not any longer be extended to illegal immigrants. Some local communities and states have come together to dwindle if not eliminate payments made to immigrants residing illegally in the country. However, all children, regardless of naturalization status, need be provided an education under a 1982 Supreme Court ruling. In order to encourage proper immigration, this ruling needs to be challenged.

Law mandates that public hospitals tread illegal immigrants should they require medical attention, not just emergency care. States are forced to piggyback the costs of these visitations. Rough estimates put these costs at several billion dollars for each individual state. It is without question that taxpayers shouldn’t be forced to flip the bill for those who choose to immigrate here illegally. The availability of free health care and free education make the option of coming to America all the more lucrative for prospective illegal immigrants.

Many have begun to criticize the United States’ take on citizenship. Those who framed the 14th amendment couldn’t have predicted that their idea of “birthright” citizenship would open the opportunity for children of illegal immigrants born in the US to become full-fledged citizens. The U.S. should give thought to the idea of adopting additional criteria for residents to obtain citizenship - one that extends beyond physical location of birth.

Our immigration bureaucracy also need be revitalized to remove processes that dissuade legal immigration and call for illegal immigration. We need to be more lenient in allowing economically productive person to enter the country, as everyone will benefit from such sorts of immigration. The government must also meet the needs of the “melting pot” which exists in this country. Some governmental policies (ie. foreign language ballots) should be done away with for they fail to re-enforce the need for assimilation. English should be established as the default national language and should be used in dealing with all public business.

There is no immigration reform plan that is flawless. The government needs to do its best in maintaining security, while addressing the sovereignty needs of the people. To accomplish such a task, the government needs to properly control the border and allow in only productive citizens who hope to come to America to contribute.