For the record, I am OK with the compromise bill on immigration. It's not exactly what I'd like, but it's the best I think we can expect.

However, I would like to consider the claim that immigration reform must include a pathway to citizenship, or some way to normalize the millions of people illegally in the country. It's hogwash. Again, for the record, I'm fine if we do provide a pathway to citizenship; I'm just pointing out that such a pathway is not necessary.

Or, more accurately, a special pathway is not necessary. There is already a pathway to citizenship for most anyone who lives on the planet. You go through INS. However, that pathway takes something like five years and costs a few thousand dollars. To be honest, if I were faced with that mountain of paperwork and hopelessness, I'd sneak in, too.

But what if "immigration reform" included reforming that pathway? What if the steps were changed for everyone? What if Congress hired enough people to handle the paperwork so that anybody could legitimately have a green card six months after filing paperwork in their home country? I have a strong hunch that such reform (coupled with much stronger border enforcement, employment raids, and similar "cut off demand" measures) would result in those 12 million-or-so illegals finding a way to naturalize themselves -- mainly by going to the back of the line, and coming in through legitimate channels.