Amnesty. Instead of that, how about a WIN-WIN? Such as...?

Question

Why not offer them an ultimatum? They must either provide fuel from algae (Dept of Energy, 1978 to 1996, Aquatic Species Program: Oil from Algae) or stay in the desert.

So we set up housekeeping in the desert, allow no one with a criminal record (other than ONE illegal entry ONLY) and they study and work and work and study till the oil comes in and is cheaper than petroleum. They'd have to supply their own services (schools, medical, etc), prepare to assimilate and pay their way without costing us a cent.

It's a win-win. We NEED cheap, natural oil and algae has it. It also takes in more CO2 than all the trees in the world (see: Wikipedia - Geritol Effect... also, SoFEX).

Algae produces about 200 TIMES more oil than crops like corn and rapeseed (canola) and grows on the cheapest land...the desert. Notice how corn prices have skyrocketed since ethanol became the fad. Imagine "algae tortillas", "algae flakes" or "algae on the cob". Eewwwww!

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vlad: I feel the venom and have felt it for some time. But this plan, govt-legislated, would put them between two parallel walls - ad infinitum - unless and until they REPAY us by figuring out the algae thing and supplying our energy needs. Every DIME they've used in services, etc. And they'd be expected to assimilate fully.

Just a thought.

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Sigy:

Wow! You really did look into this! While I don't fully agree with you, I concede, at least, that it would be difficult and wouldn't likely employ all the illegals. Nonetheless, since 2 heads is better than one, 12 to 20 million, with the added benefit of desperation and ultimatum, would work wonders.

As for grading, they all pass or all fail. Replace the petroleum with bio-petroleum (bio-leum) at a lower price than petrol and all get their papers (must learn English first and other things to assimilate). Their communities would be empowered to kick out those who don't contribute, eliminating deadbeats along the way.

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Answer 1

I think it is a very creative solution to a difficult problem....

Perhaps the most thought-provoking question I have ever seen on here.

If they were able to do this, it would "prove" their dedication to the US, and, do something to better not only our country, but, potentially the world, I think that would definitely EARN their citizenship- or atleast their residency.

And, you get a star for increasing thought on this site.....

Answer 2

I'm sorry I don't think that it is a realistic idea that you describe.

1. Who will make these illegals do this? The US govt? Why? Algaeculture is a business with companies not a US govt program. They should have the workers they want and pay them like workers in general.

Getting illegals in algae labor camps in a dessert and telling them to pay for their own services looks like a situation for exploitation to me. I totally disagree with this part of your idea.
And it would never happen anyway. Oil algaeculture will be at towns with services and the people who live in them pay for services and pay taxes.

2. Even if your idea was done how many illegals do you think will be working in oil algaeculture? How many People at all will be working in oil algaeculture?

There are 12 million illegals in the US and of them are 8-9 million workers. There are < 500,000 workers in the US oil industry and < 4 million workers in agriculture. So my logic says that US oil algaeculture can never have a big effect on illegal immigration.

3. Why the dessert? The costs for water and energy and nutrient in the southwestern US dessert may be to high even if the land is cheap. If you put the algae farms near southwestern US cities than the land will be expensive.

3. I don't think that oil algaeculture is the killer app that you think it is. I calculate from the research I read that real life oil microalgae yields may be 240 barrels/acre. Do the math and you can see an acre may make $10-20,000 or even more if the price of oil is >$100.

But there are costs too. Not just growing but making oil and transporting. And it will take time and money to build the farms with the growing ponds and runways and other things.

If it is profitable to build and operate oil algae farms than people will do it. Maybe some places it is already is happening. I can tell you that it was done by people who knew the math and science and business and people who knew what they were doing when they invested on it.

Again I'm sorry but your idea just does not seem realistic.

~Sigy, La Senorita de los Bridges
[To Abusive Reporters: If I learn that this question is removed than I will write to [e-mail] to support the asker and protest the removal]

Answer 3

I agree with the girl above me (only in the part that its an unrealistic idea), this is a great idea, and i would more than love it, but its very unrealistic. It can take years to make the oil thing come true. It would be much more complicated than going through the immigration process we already have....which can mean that it would only encourage more people to come illegally. even if immigrants were motivated about this proposal, who would teach them?? where would you get all the professors from?? it would not only be difficult, but it would cost more money. i doubt many immigrants would be motivated about this. also, keeping track of every person would be complicated....would you give each person a grade based on their performance so to speak (like in school, the A,B,C, D and F grading system)?? it would be like school to them. hence why do so many people drop out of school. you would have many "drop-outs".

to sum it all up, as much of a great idea it is, it just wouldnt work. think about it with logic. imagine yourself as an illegal immigrant and if this idea were proposed to you....chances are, you would give up. i wouldnt be too optimistic of this idea working, im sorry. theres other solutions though, but this just isnt the best one in my opinion, simpy for the fact that it wouldnt function the way we would want it to if we attempted to put it into action.

Answer 4

I kind of like it and I kind of don't. The part of me who like it poses tremendous hardship to prove themselves. It adds an extra layer that legal immigrants don't have to pose. The part that I hate, is it smacks of an underclass (slavery) which is basically one of the reason I hate illegal immigration.

It's not practical though. Finding and transporting water into the desert is difficult. I think The species of algae of interest is salt water, and there are some salt water available underground in some desert areas.

Answer 5

how about this, they pay to legally come in, learn the American way. and we Americans do the algae thing our self's. now that's a win win situation.

Answer 6

Here's the thing. It's OUR border we need to defend, and THEY'RE the ones making all the demands. They are nothing more than parasites, and we should not give them ONE single inch.