Realistic immigration reform is needed

To the editor:

As the media continues to cover immigration issues, it is clear that many candidates for president are resorting to rhetoric in place of real policy solutions. As other Republican candidates consider their views on immigration, it is time for a realistic and honest discussion of how we can fix our broken immigration system.

Border security is an important part of the solution, but we must also find a remedy for the 11.5 million undocumented immigrants already here. Deporting all of them is simply not realistic or feasible.

With the significant costs to taxpayers - estimated to be around $600 billion in an American Action Forum study published earlier this year - it is up to Iowans to engage these candidates and let them know we expect an honest discussion on immigration reform. Our broken immigration system will not be fixed overnight. However, we should encourage candidates to propose realistic reforms that address the situation rather than creating headlines.

Kathy Potts

Cedar Rapids