The basics of immigration reform are very simple. We create a legalization process for the 12 million people already here. If this involves some fine, then we can do that. If we really feel the need to punish the people who have broken the law then we can lock up the tens of millions of yuppies who knowingly hired undocumented workers to be their nannies, housekeepers, and gardeners. In addition to satisfying the desire for vengeance, putting so many yuppies behind bars should also open up millions of good paying jobs.

We also need a serious system of worker identification and have serious sanctions (i.e. jail time) for employers who violate it. This would go along with a set of rules that would target some amount of ongoing immigration consistent with family reunifications and the country’s economic needs.

It’s all very simple. We just need to get through the cheap demagoguery.