There has never been another nation quite like the United States on the face of the earth. It adopted the world’s first written constitution based on principles revealed in self-evident truths—and established a government based on a bold vision of what the future in a New World could be. 

Immigration, legal and illegal, affects the lives of all Americans, even though we are essentially a nation of immigrants. For half a century Congress and various Democrat and Republican Administrations have unsuccessfully wrestled with the illegal immigrant problem.

Twenty years ago, when there were estimated to be just over five million illegal immigrants residing within our borders, I was one of many who believed that law-abiding immigrants should be pardoned, on the understanding that our borders would then be controlled, our immigration laws upgraded and strictly enforced and violators severely dealt with. This has clearly not been the case.   

Instead of being secured, our borders have become a sieve through which terrorists, drug runners and illegal immigrants slip with impunity. The number of illegal immigrants residing within our borders has multiplied fivefold. And not only are our laws not being enforced, but some cities and localities have even declared themselves to be sanctuaries for illegal immigrants.

Of course the phrase “illegal immigrant” is a misnomer. Those who have illegally crossed our southern border have not immigrated. They have violated our laws and hospitality. These so-called “illegal immigrants” are in reality “criminal foreigners.”

President George Washington once said:

"The bosom of America is open to receive not only the opulent and respectable stranger, but the oppressed and persecuted of all nations and religions; that we shall welcome to a participation of all our rights and privileges, if by decency and propriety of conduct they appear to merit the enjoyment." 

In short, immigration is a right extended to foreigners only with conditions attached. From the beginning it was expected that immigrants could only earn the right to qualify for citizenship by being law abiding. Twenty years ago I wrote the following:

No nation can continue to exist as an independent nation if it is unable or unwilling to maintain the integrity of its borders. It is impossible for a government to discharge its responsibilities to its residents if it is incapable of effectively controlling its own borders. This must be a cornerstone of U.S. immigration. 

Because of the inflow of drugs, terrorists and illegal immigrants, our southern border has become a national security disaster and securing that border has become of paramount importance. As President, I would immediately call in the Secretary of Defense and say, “You have 90 days to seal the border. Use whatever means you deem necessary.” Ninety days later the Secretary would return and report that the border had been made secure. Never … never … never … underestimate the effectiveness of our military when America’s national security is threatened.

In the interim, those illegal immigrants caught attempting to cross the border (those who are neither terrorists nor drug smugglers) would be, by executive order, summarily returned to the south side of the border and released.

I am opposed to amnesty for those who have broken our laws in gaining entrance to this country, but I do support adoption of a fair and intelligent guest worker program.

A mass round up of illegal immigrants is neither reasonable nor practical. But “illegals” involved in the commission of a crime should be immediately processed and deported in accordance with our laws.

Existing immigration laws need to be critically reviewed and updated. As President I will work with Congress on a comprehensive immigration plan that will best serve the American people. Until such a plan is in place, I believe it is in the country’s best interest to put stringent limitations on all immigration.

We must also recognize that flagrant flaunting and breaking of immigration laws inevitably will lead to and promote a drift toward national lawlessness.  So it is the government’s duty to restrain criminal activity, including the violation of immigration laws, and to ensure that law enforcement does not become arbitrary and capricious.

This great nation of ours is more than able to close our borders and, at the same time, deal with the illegal immigrant problem. We are also able to implement a guest worker program, control legal immigration and revamp our immigration laws. This is a task that requires all our cooperation and our immediate vigilance.