Thousands of people last weekend across the country rallied in support of immigration.

Politicians for too long have dodged this issue lest they be labeled racist. In the meantime, the illegal immigrant population has ballooned to 12 million since amnesty was issued in 1986. By 2015, the number will swell to over 30 million. That's 10 percent of the U.S. population.

First off, let's make one thing perfectly clear to everyone: Illegal immigrants are not U.S. citizens and, therefore, are not entitled to the same rights or privileges as official residents. As such, they have no right to have their voices heard in this debate. Only when they have become legalized citizens should they be allowed to actively participate in this forum.

Second, legal Hispanics, not just in Milwaukee County but throughout the country, need to seriously reevaluate their perspective toward the issue of immigration. To this day I have yet to fully grasp why Hispanics who came to the United States legally are so adamant in their support, intentional or not, of illegal immigration. Stop waving the Mexican flag and start thinking sensibly for a moment. Why have reminders of the place you escaped from if you chose to come to America?

Let's face facts, rounding up all 12 million illegal immigrants, while desirable for some, would be impractical. Not only would it be hideously expensive, it would be an improper allocation of resources. On the other hand, however, I am strongly opposed to a call for an all-out amnesty as it only stands to further aggravate the problem rather than solve it.

Make applying for citizenship in the United States much easier. My 5-year old sister who was adopted from Romania with all legitimate paperwork in order spent months without legal U.S. citizenship because of bureaucratic red tape. This is unacceptable for individuals who legitimately want to live and work in America.

Grant the 12 million illegal aliens who are actually working in this country a set period of time in which to register for U.S. citizenship or else face being deported back to Mexico or face jail time here.

The costs of being caught crossing the U.S.-Mexican border illegally must drastically outweigh the benefits. This means tightening control on the border by whatever means necessary. Build a concrete wall between the U.S. and Mexico, dig a ditch with barbed wire placed inside — do whatever needs to be done.

A fixed date in which all illegal immigration across the U.S.-Mexican border is to be halted entirely must be set. It is on this date that the first person to be caught crossing the border illegally is to be arrested live on television. This will send a clear signal to other potential illegals that we mean business.

As it stands, illegal immigration is a violation of the law and yet at the same time it is not a crime because there is nothing on the books to enforce it. Illegal immigration must be made a punishable offense if we are ever to expect it to decrease. The rule of law must be enforced without question. As a country at war with Islamic fascism, we can no longer afford to be vulnerable on our borders.