What might Trump’s ‘Pathway to Legal Status’ Mean?

President Donald Trump is expected to introduce immigration reform during his address to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday night.

As an olive branch to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Senator John McCain (R-AZ), the president will introduce a “pathway to legal status” according to senior administration officials.

No details have been offered by the administration, but a path to legalization might include some sort of express lane through which illegal immigrants, who are gainfully employed, not a ward of the state and who have committed no crimes other than entering the country illegally would be granted residency (green card) and placed in line behind those who have already applied for citizenship. By placing the fast-pathers at the end of the line, the new applicants won’t cut in front of those who have been in processing for some time.

By joining the legal American workforce these migrants will be able to command higher wages, will pay more in taxes and be able to spend more of their money here in the U.S. as they will be able to lawfully open bank accounts and buy cars from dealerships.

As an enforcement action and to incentivize illegals to take advantage of the new process, the measure may also include the mandatory use of e-verify for all employers and those that use contract labor.

E-Verify is an electronic system that compares information from Form I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification to Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Social Security Administration (SSA), and Department of State (DOS) records to instantly confirm that the applicant is authorized to work in the United States.

Making this process quick, accessible and affordable will be the key to legalizing the migrant workers who obey the law, are productive and are not a burden on the state.