Illegal immigration must be stopped, and reversed, both for national security and sheer economic survival. Even some Democrats are starting to realize that we must protect our borders and enforce our immigration laws in order to remain a sovereign nation.

Businesses that employ illegal immigrants must be severely punished. Tragically, such employers do not seem to care about national security or the war on terror. They reap huge profits by exploiting illegals, while the US taxpayer ends up paying the bills.

No reform scenario should sanction illegals already in the US. Reform should require that every last illegal be deported. Our borders should be secured by 100,000 or so US troops, authorized to use whatever force may be necessary to keep illegals out.

Once we have established control of the borders and deported those here illegally, then we can consider reform. For instance, if a Mexican laborer wants to APPLY for a temporary work permit, he would be allowed to do so, PROVIDED he has not been in America illegally within the last five years.

The point is that the US government must have total control over who enters the nation, where they will reside, for what purpose they are authorized, and the date by which they must leave.

No more nonsense whereby the immigrant decides unilaterally to invade America---and gets away with it! So, say Juan applies for a temporary work assignment in California. The employer who wants Juan's services becomes his sponsor, in much the say way as legal immigrants are sponsored. That means assuring that Juan does NOT become a burden to the community via health care costs, education, crime etc. So, perhaps employers form a cooperative to buy health insurance for migrant workers at group rates. Any and all costs should be absorbed by the employers---not US taxpayers.

Juan's work permit should be temporary--not greater than 18 months---and must include Juan and Juan only. We can not afford to have Juan's family burden our health care and educational systems.

Further, Juan must not be allowed to father an "anchor baby" ....currently, a child born to an illegal becomes a US citizen at birth. The law must be revised to prevent people from manipulating the US in that manner.

Employers should also be responsible for monitoring Juan's behavior---no crimes, even misdeameanors, or its adios! All income that Juan earns must be subject to tax withholding and employers must administer that procedure.

Juan must be made to understand that his permit is temporary only, and that it confers no other rights such as a right to driver's license, social welfare, in-state tuiton breaks, citizenship or any other benefits.

Employers must also assure that Juan leaves the US when his work permit expires. Any violations should cause the employer to be severely punished, including criminal sanctions. A few stiff jail terms might convince business owners that crime does not pay ....when it comes to the war on terror and illegal immigration!

Immigration reform might work----provided we secure the borders permanently, force employers to obey the law, deport those here illegally, and discontinue making it so damn easy and attractive for illegal immigrants to cross our southern border.