Immigration Reform

It is obvious that our immigration situation is out of control.  Today, illegal immigrants pose a serious threat to our  security.  Additionally, it causes a financial drain on our economy.  Now, I am not saying that we must deport all illegal immigrants or that they are evil or anything to that extreme.  Our country is one of immigration, that is how most of us came to the United States.  However, measures must be taken to improve our current immigration situation.

First, it is silly that many people are trying to change the phrase "illegal immigrant" or "illegal alien".  One of the most popular phrases I've seen is "undocumented immigrant/alien"  Replacing the word illegal does nothing to remedy the situation.  They are here illegally, plain and simple.  The question is, what should be done?
What moral obligation does the United States have in regard to immigration?  For that answer, let us turn to the Catechism of the Catholic Church.  Paragraph 2241 states

The more prosperous nations are obliged, to the extent they are able, to welcome the foreigner in search of the security and the means of livelihood which he cannot find in his country of origin. Public authorities should see to it that the natural right is respected that places a guest under the protection of those who receive him.

Political authorities, for the sake of the common good for which they are responsible, may make the exercise of the right to immigrate subject to various juridical conditions, especially with regard to the immigrants' duties toward their country of adoption. Immigrants are obliged to respect with gratitude the material and spiritual heritage of the country that receives them, to obey its laws and to assist in carrying civic burdens.

This entire paragraph sums up how the issue of immigration should be treated by both the country and the immigrant.  The first portion states that "more prosperous nations are obliged" to accept immigrants.  If a country is able to accept the people looking for a better life, then that country is morally obligated to accept them.  The United States of America is definitely able to accept immigrants.
The second portion goes on to explain how the immigrant should behave when going to a new country.  First, the new country has every right to put regulations on immigrant in order to protect the common good.  Second, the immigrant must follow the law of the new country and "assist in carrying civic burdens".  That means, pay taxes.  Also, this means that each immigrant has a moral obligation to follow the laws of the United States.  If an immigrant is "undocumented" then they are not following the law.
The United States used to have systems and processes in place to accept and document immigrants, the largest being Ellis Island.
Today, we still have a system in place.  Go to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services homepage to find out more.  You can even change the homepage to Spanish by clicking "Espanol" in the upper right hand corner to make it easier for Spanish speaking natives.
The process is probably long and inefficient because it is ran by the federal government.  Nonetheless, there is  still a process.  The government can make it more efficient by having satellite offices along the border.  As we build the wall along the Mexican border, why not include gates with USCIS offices to facilitate those coming to America.  I am sure the locations will spread with word of mouth.  Additionally, local law enforcement need to be able to enforce the law.  No one without a green card should be able to get a driver's license, a job, or residence.
It will take time to get all those here illegally registered in the system.  However, the answer is not a broad bill that just gives citizenship to immigrants.  We must enforce the process in place for citizenship and make it more accessible for those trying to get citizenship.

The USCIS homepage has an abundance of information to include the processes for naturalization and locations of offices.  As you will notice, there are not many offices.  It also includes information on "E-Verify", which tells employers how to check the status of their employees.  Employers have a moral and legal obligation to hire only those permit to work in the country.  Please spread the USCIS homepage around to friends and family.  Word of mouth can be a powerful thing.