Bobby Jindal spells out three point formula to immigration reform

WASHINGTON: Bobby Jindal, Indian-American Louisiana Governor, has come out with his three step formula for immigration reform - securing the border, guest worker visas and increasing legal immigration - as he opposed the comprehensive immigration reform passed by the Senate.

In an editorial in the National Review yesterday, Jindal spoke against the Senate version of the bill which has the backing of the US President Barack Obama.

"The problem begins with bad motives. Politically craven electoral concerns and the interests of big businesses and unions should not drive legislation.

"Washington as usual is focused on what's good for political parties, instead of focusing on what's right for America," Jindal said.

Jindal said if and when the folks in Washington want to successfully reform the immigration system, they will have to accept the simple fact that it needs to be done in stages.

"An all-or-nothing approach will likely yield what it usually yields - nothing. It just takes three simple steps," he said.

"Step 1: Secure the border.Do this first. It's time to get it done. We cannot trust bureaucrats or agencies to determine when the border is secured, so we should instead adopt a goal that can't be manipulated - such as complete implementation of fencing, technology, and other security methods - and only then should we decide whether that approach has worked or not," he wrote.

"Step 2: Once the border is secure, and not before, we should provide an opportunity for those who came here illegally seeking to work for a better life to gain legal status rather quickly, if and only if they are willing to do all that is required," he said.

"Step 3: Increase legal immigration, by a lot. Letting folks into our country who want to work, get an education, and improve their lives is good for them and good for us.

"We should increase legal immigration not only for unskilled labourers, but also for skilled workers from all over the world," he said.

"We need to stop educating the world's best and brightest engineers and scientists and then upon graduation kick them out of the country so they can compete with us and create growth and wealth in other countries," Jindal added.