DALLAS, TX: Today, the Institute for Policy Innovation (IPI) released a paper suggesting several new policies designed to create a reasonable, secure, functioning immigration system that is in the best interests of the United States. It further suggests a specific approach to dealing humanely and realistically with the current illegal population.
In “Elements of a 21st Century Pro-Growth Immigration System,” IPI president Tom Giovanetti outlines several suggestions for a functioning immigration system, including 1) a biometric entry and exit system with periodic biometric check-in for legal immigrants, 2) enhanced screening for entry applicants to facilitate increased legal visits, 3) a guest worker payroll tax to fund the immigration system and bias hiring in favor of US citizens, 4) moving to an auction system for awarding H-1B visas, and 5) increased automatic visas for those holding advanced degrees and those with capital to invest. Giovanetti bases his policy recommendations on fourteen (14) principles outlined at the beginning of the paper.
The paper also outlines a proposed stair stepped system of fines to allow current illegal immigrants to register and obtain legal guest worker status. Dealing with currently illegal immigrants is perhaps the most controversial aspect of the immigration policy debate.
“Up to this point, the immigration debate has been mostly an argument between two extremes, with each side accusing the other of something approaching treason,” said Giovanetti. “Because of all this heat, most have been hesitant to step out onto the minefield and propose specific solutions. I hope this paper can at least advance the discussion beyond the two extremes and begin to find some areas of compromise and common ground, since it is in the best interests of the United States to have a reasonable, secure, functioning immigration system.”
Giovanetti continued, “For instance, it’s more than unusual for a free-market policy analyst to be proposing the creation of a new tax. But it’s entirely reasonable to create a dedicated revenue stream to pay for the immigration system, and it makes sense for immigrants and those who employ them to pay for the system from which they benefit. Further, my hope is that the guest worker tax may help to neutralize some of the economic opposition to immigration.”