Unlike Democrats who measure success by good intentions and good feelings, the only hope that President Trump and the Republicans have of staying in control (which we hope they do) is to actually get things done.  But they must fix them properly.  President Eisenhower – arguably another populist – once said that change (for whatever) is always called for by the Left – but must be fixed by the Right.  President Trump needs to fix things – but only from a conservative platform.

Over the course of three articles, we will discuss the three areas that President Trump must tackle in order to convince Americans – many of whom voted outside of their usual party affiliation – that they made the right choice.  Those three areas are:  Fundamentally Changing Immigration, Empowering the National Economy, and Calming the World Stage.

Immigration Policy Must Fundamentally Change

While the United States throughout its 200+ year history has tweaked the requirements for immigration, it has never truly closed the borders.  Part of the American ethos always welcomes others who are seeking to better their future.  For the most part, this idea of a melting pot has worked.

However, according to a Pew Research Article from September 27, 2024, a significant portion of the US population is foreign born:

The U.S. foreign-born population reached a record 47.8 million in 2023, an increase of 1.6 million from the previous year. This is the largest annual increase in more than 20 years, since 2000. (https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2024/09/27/key-findings-about-us-immigrants/#:~:text=The%20U.S.%20foreign%2Dborn%20population,the%20record%2014.8%25%20in%201890)

Additionally, the national average of those who do not speak English “Very Well” rests at 8.3% - with some areas of our country coming in at 30% (1 out 3) or higher. (https://www.census.gov/library/visualizations/interactive/people-that-speak-english-less-than-very-well.html) 

Language is a primary indicator of adaption and assimilation into a culture.  While the Founding Fathers never passed a national language (it was almost German just to spite the British) it is clear that a significant portion of the population has not – and probably will not – fully take their place as part of the American mindset.  

President Trump needs to lead the charge to change our immigration policy on a very basic level.

Close and/or Restrict the Border:

In order to let these groups of immigrants bake fully into our culture, President Trump needs to severally restrict immigration access.  He must use his executive power to close the border,  secure it by any means necessary, and empower law enforcement to arrest and deport those who have broken our immigration laws.  Starting these policies on Day 1 of his term is not too soon.

Closing the border means closing the border.  Hanging out a sign that says No Vacancy.  Except in the cases of extreme need for asylum, our country just needs to be padlocked.  Not forever, not for his entire term, but long enough to give us time to see exactly where we are in terms of people who are here.  For four years our border states have been in a constant crisis, with all services being overwhelmed. Such a pause would help them catch up, count up, and recover.

Push for Legislation

The President cannot make law.  While Executive Action is a stop gap instrument, lasting change can only come through Congress.  In his first term, the old guard of the Republican party unabashedly resisted the President at every turn because they could not control him.  Trump is now firmly the head of the party, and has the electoral and popular mandate to push through legislation that will permanently change our views of immigration.

President  Trump must advocate for legislation that will finally address the Dreamers – children who came here but whose citizenship is uncertain.  The whole idea behind DACA – the consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals – is a good one.  Many who fall into this classification are now adults – but adults without a nation.  All they know is America, but they have no clear pathway to citizenship.  DACA was declared problematic by the courts because of how it was implemented.  The incoming  president says he wants to tackle this issue (https://www.nbcnews.com/meet-the-press/video/trump-says-he-wants-daca-recipients-to-be-able-to-remain-in-u-s-226490949921).  But he needs to push members of Congress to finally pass legislation that will stick.

He also needs to push for legislation that better defines who may or may not come into this country.  In terms of qualifications of immigration, the United States is relatively lax.   We must have laws that will allow and encourage the best of other nations to come here.  We must also have better laws in place for those who are coming for other reasons.

Finally, he needs to work with Congress for legislation that will fully define birthright citizenship.  The 14^th Amendment was originally put in place to secure citizenship for slaves at the end of the Civil War (https://immigrationhistory.org/item/14th-amendment/).  It has become the overarching means of anchor babies that can than bring in other family members.  Congress needs to end this practice and restore the 14^th to its original purpose.  The President must push to get that done.

Deportation

Finally, President Trump must enforce the laws of this land by deporting those who are here illegally.  No other country in the world is as lax in this department as we are.  It is threatening and taxing every aspect of our country.

While every illegal immigrant is technically a criminal, we must first start with those who are committing other crimes or aiding in the commission of crimes.  We are a nation of laws, but these transnational criminals (thank you Madam Vice President for that innocuous term) obey no laws but their own.  They must be removed at once from our lands.  Not jailed, not given temporary status, not tried.  Tom Holman – in a comment to Newsweek – stated what this policy should be all about:

As far as Tren de Aragua and MS-13 ... my gang's bigger than your gang, and we're going to take you out, too," said Tom Homan, who led U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement during Trump's first term and will now serve as U.S. border enforcer. (https://www.newsweek.com/tom-homan-going-take-you-out-immigration-border-1986690)

Other illegal immigrants who are not committing other crimes need to be processed and adjudicated.  We must always err on the side of compassion.  However, we are a nation of laws – which includes immigration laws – and the breaking of those laws MUST carry a penalty.  To do nothing encourages more people to cross our borders improperly.  It must stop.

A Problem Not Going Away Soon

America has always been a nation of colonists and immigrants.  We must remember that we are a beacon to the world – a place where a better life can be had regardless of caste, class, social status or family history.  The American Dream is still the envy of the world, because at our very core we hold to truths and ideals that are evident in every human.  We are a country where those ideals are put into practice.

Illegal and unchecked immigration has diluted the American dream.  It has turned our country into conclaves of cultures instead of a melting pot of the culture of the United States.  Illegal immigration takes jobs away from American workers, siphons millions of dollars away from our economy by transmission of those funds to families living outside our borders and threatens our communities with crime and drugs.   This is a problem that has festered for a while.  While quick action in some areas can and should happen, President Trump needs to be engaged in creating long-haul policies that will address today’s and tomorrows immigration issues.

Next, President Trump needs to empower the National Economy.  There are quick ways, and longer ways – but it needs to be done.