The underfunding goes back to the systematic gutting of all government departments over the last 40 years. Hell, even the DOJ cannot get the proper funding.
- Allow more work visas or guest workers into this country. Start with the ones that are already here. Come up with a time frame for these visas/permits to be obtained.
- The number of permits allowed should correlate with the unemployment rate. If the unemployment rate is going up, scale back on work visas/guest worker permits. If the rate is down, issue more.
- After an allotted time period for the new guest worker program to take place, increase the penalties on employers who hire illegal immigrants. Prosecute it as a human trafficking crime with severe fines and jail time.
- Strengthen ties with Latin and South America. Our focus should be in our own back yard first. We've done some ****** things there and we need to work hard to get these countries back on our side. China is already taking great steps to increase their influence in Latin and South America. Open up relations with Cuba (a key to improving relations elsewhere). Give Mexico any support they need in dealing with drug cartels. If Columbia (with our help) can suppress the influence of these cartels, then certainly we can work with Mexico to do the same on our border and within our neighbor's country. Invest in Mexico. Help them raise their standard of living and reduce the incentive for their citizens to cross the border.
We can hire all the ICE personal we can and put as many troops on the border as we want. None of that gets at the root of the problem. It's time we shifted our attention and money away from the middle east and over to our neighbors to the south.