I just whipped this together this morning, so please don't think I'm personally invested in any of this. I post this specifically to invite critique, from my political friends and foes alike. Let me know what you think. My intent is to change my opinion on the below if good points are made by either side. All critique is fair game.
How the US should handle immigration:
1) We establish full border security, whatever that means. Obviously not perfect border security, but we try to make it so that it is more difficult to come here (and be successful here) illegally than legally (see my point 6 below in this regard). This could include extending the existing wall. This could include other measures, such as removal of benefits and punishing companies for hiring illegals like Clinton did in the 90's.
2) After step 1, we grant amnesty & citizenship to anyone born here, during their 18th year, who has lived here for 5 years, and who can pass the citizenship test and an English test. This is only for people who turn 18 after step 1 is established by some relatively objectively identifiable milestones to be negotiated. When they register for selective service, they can become citizens and register to vote.
3) We grant resident status to illegal immigrants who are here now; that is, we grant non-citizenship resident status to anyone who does not qualify for citizenship under item 2 above. If you are an illegal adult, you cannot ever be a citizen, but you will not be deported, and you are free to stay and work and pay taxes (and raise the next generation of Americans) if you want to do that. You're welcome.
4) We eliminate incentives for slackers to come here, such as government assistance to illegal immigrants not registered with the government by the time border security is established in item 1. We want people to come here to work hard. Frankly, I've always thought if someone was willing to brave the trip here illegally (and if that was their only illegal act), then at least they have some gumption, and we like people who have gumption. Welcome them under items 2 or 3 above.
5) We eliminate birth citizenship and replace it with a modified birth/blood citizenship. If you are a citizen (by birth or naturalized), your kids are (i) citizens if they are born here, or (ii) provisional citizens if they are born elsewhere, to become full citizens if they return to the US by a particular age and live for a period of time here.
6) In the end, as Americans stop having kids, we need immigration. Immigration is the past and future of this country. We should face that fact. But, we don't need immigrants who want to come here and change America or kill Americans as one of their primary goals. And, we have the right to choose who we encourage to come here. No one has a right to come here; we get to pick and choose. We need immigration from countries which will send people who will integrate. Diversity is not a principle to be pushed when helping people come to the United States. (Diversity is only a good thing when it comes to educating Americans how to deal with other Americans.) So, we expand the State Department budget to process people for immigration and citizenship in select countries which have large amounts of people who want to come here and become Americans by integrating into our society (but ideally have lots of kids because we aren't doing that and our economy needs that). Most Latin American countries would be good examples. For example, we can establish official immigration offices in Mexico for the sole purpose of expediting immigration from there.
6a) All immigrants should be required to pass a rudimentary English test, and all government services should henceforth be provided in English only. Private charities can step up and provide translations services...if that is deemed important enough, people will fund it. (I hereby invite Conor to contribute to Catholic Charities, which will be leading the way in providing help to all immigrants.)
6b) Require all immigrants to swear an oath to the United States...an oath which renounces any beliefs which require them to overthrow the US or kill American Citizens...an oath taken under the god(s) they say is their god(s) or with a statement that they deny belief in any god including the top 5 named gods.
7) These and all future immigration rules should be established to make the lives of Americans better. Those already here should be considered before people who are not here...just like other countries should take care of their people before they take care of any other country's people. That is the reason Trump won: he promised to take care of American citizens of all colors first ("What have you got to lose?") But, we can do that without Trump's bombasticism. We can do that without accusations of racism and xenophobia, without division of our country into race based voting blocs. The Dems or the GOP could step up and do that. It is their first duty to do so.