Over time, illegal immigrants would have to pay fines and fees of more than $9,000 (plus thousands more for each family member). They'd have to prove they're working and have no significant criminal record. They'd have to learn English and American civics. And, if they want legal permanent residence, they'd have to return to their home country to apply for it there. Getting a green card would take at least eight years, citizenship at least 13.
Some amnesty.
In a perfect world, it might be reasonable to say that everyone here illegally should be deported. Law breaking, obviously, cannot be ignored. But if that were possible at all - which is very dubious - the cost would run far into the billions.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/usatoday/20070608/cm_usatoday/amnestywhatamnestycriticssubstitutefearforfacts;_ylt=AkEh7CqIOHgz.wEoijitnHIu_8QF
As the adage says: "The Devil is in the details!"
As has been pointed out REPEATEDLY on this board and elsewhere, when you read the actual language contained in the legislation, there is an "out", a loophole, or a provision for a "waiver", etc. at the "discretion" of some diligent government official for every single one of those portentously enumerated fines, fees, or performance requirements mentioned above.
Those penalties and requirements will never be enforced. The President knows it, the Congress knows it, the MSM knows it, and most importantly, the illegal aliens know it.
The bottom line is that our political class, from the President on down, have forfeited any presumption of trust and credibility. What they SAY is irrelevant. It's only what they actually DO that should interest us.
The only way they can regain any credibility and trust is to drop the deception and BS and secure the border first. After they have demonstrated that they can do that, we can talk about the rest.