Outside temporary VISAs (which are large in number), there are two categories: those here illegally and those entering legally, and potentially getting Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) status.
First, I believe we absolutely need to enforce the border. (The Trump Administration has done well in this regard.)
For those here illegally, I’m against ICE mass deportations. But, criminals with felony convictions should be deported. People brought here as children should be allowed to stay, and be granted a path to U.S. citizenship. BOTH major parties let in illegals immigrants, not just the Biden Administration. For those with clean records, assuming they continue to remain clean, they can stay but will be punished. The punishment is the following: (1) they will not receive any day-to-day entitlements (e.g., Medicaid and food stamps) or refundable tax credits (e.g., the earned income credit); (2) any history with Social Security and Medicare will be eliminated; and (3) their eligibility date for both Social Security and Medicare is 3 years after the ordinary eligibility date. They must report to USCIS to receive this treatment. Failure to do so will result in deportation if found. Going forward, regarding who we let in legally, the U.S. annually allows approximately 1,000,000 people (out of a population of 350,000,000) to become LPRs. The vast majority come in through family “chain migration.” Only 40,040 ordinary working people are permitted, with a limit of 10,000 on the unskilled, and then only if there is a need not being met in the U.S. I think these figures are unreasonably low. I believe we should increase the 40,040 by 100,000. Also, I think family chain migration needs to be reasonably reduced, to not allow parents absent significant need or significant hardship abroad that cannot be remedied (including by moving to another country other than the U.S.) Also, we limit the number of LPRs from any country to 7%, instead of pro-rating based on relative population. I think we should replace the 7% per country limit with pro rata based on world population (from each country). The U.S. also permits 55,000 people per year to enter from underrepresented countries. I think we should increase the limit on underrepresented countries from 55,000 to 100,000. Finally, all of those coming in should not be eligible for day-to-day entitlements, such as Medicaid and SNAP (food stamps) or refundable tax credits.