A Practical Two‑Tier Immigration Plan To Secure The Border And Stabilize America’s Workforce

America prides itself on the rule of law, yet a vast gray zone has emerged where millions live, work and contribute without formal legal status. That uncertainty harms workers, employers and the nation’s economic resilience. A clearer, pragmatic approach can restore order while preserving economic strength.

Facts First

There are an estimated 10.5–11.4 million undocumented immigrants in the United States, with about 8.5 million actively participating in the labor force. Multiple economic studies estimate these workers contribute up to $300 billion a year to U.S. GDP. At the same time, federal spending on immigration enforcement now exceeds $30 billion annually, and in 2024 the government spent more than $9 billion to deport roughly 270,000 people—an expensive strategy that often fails to produce long‑term results.

Demographics And National Competitiveness

The U.S. fertility rate is roughly 1.6 children per woman, below replacement level. Other major economies face similar or worse demographic headwinds, notably China, whose workforce is shrinking and aging rapidly. A stable, documented labor force matters to national competitiveness in an era of technological acceleration and global economic scale.

The Proposal: Two Tiers, Clear Rules

I propose a two‑tier system that balances sovereignty, security and economic reality.

Tier One: Annual Legal Presence
Annual registration would cost $1,000 per individual or $2,000 per household. Applicants must pass comprehensive background checks and maintain a clean record. Tier One would grant renewable annual work authorization, could be partially employer‑financed, and would not provide an automatic route to citizenship.

Tier Two: Path To Permanent Residency
Tier Two would provide a pathway to permanent residency subject to a $25,000 settlement fee (payable up front or financed over 10 years) and full vetting. Employer financing would be permitted. Criminal offenders would be excluded and prioritized for removal. Approved Tier Two applicants would be eligible to apply for citizenship.

Fiscal And Operational Rationale

Mass deportations are costly, logistically fraught and socially disruptive. By contrast, a structured program can produce revenue and better target enforcement. If half of the nation’s roughly 10.5 million undocumented immigrants enrolled in Tier One, the program would generate roughly $5.25 billion per year in direct federal revenue. If 5% opted for Tier Two, the settlement fees would yield roughly $13.1 billion in principal over 10 years. Those funds could modernize processing, improve targeted removals of violent offenders and reduce reliance on expensive detention operations.

Why This Is Pragmatic Governance

This plan marries enforcement with earned normalization—an approach with precedent in the 1986 reforms signed by President Reagan. It recognizes employers’ reliance on this labor while establishing accountability, taxation and legal protections. It will not satisfy every political faction, but effective policy rarely does. The objective is to secure the border, stabilize the interior, and align market incentives with national interests.

Corey Kvasnick is an entrepreneur, investor and contributor to Common Ground Thinking.

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