As I’ve related previously, Democrats seem convinced that legalized immigrants will become part of a permanent majority, and many Republicans (including especially talk-radio) seem to believe this as well. While I’m skeptical for many reasons, I have a small proposal that could take this issue off the table.  Since progressive supporters of immigration make many public professions of their sincere effort to preserve families, and treat immigrants with dignity (values I agree with) and acting as if this is not to pad their voting roles (with the exception in my previously linked post), I have a modest proposal to put this to the test.

Given that by definition these illegal immigrants are illegal and violating our laws, we have a process already in many states where because of violations of our laws, citizens lose their voting franchise (when they are convicted of felony offenses).  My proposal is that whatever the normal process of citizenship is, illegal immigrants have to go to the back of the line (since they should not be favored over those that did not violate our laws), and then have an appropriate time period where even once they become citizens they are not allowed to vote, as penalty for violating our laws (say 10 years after the grant of citizenship).  They can work hard, be part of our system, enjoy the blessings of life in American, but they don’t get to participate in voting for some period of time.  This is no greater penalty than we have on many other law breakers in our society, and certainly seems consistent with our Biblical requirements to care for the alien and stranger.

I can hear the howls now.  But I ask you why?  I thought the concern was over keeping families united?  This would allow that.  For libertarians that say we should allow human capital to go where its most efficient, this would allow that.  Let’s have a pathway for legalization.  But lets make the pathway to citizenship something that must be earned, with a demonstration of sustained commitment to our laws.