Since when does the U.S. REWARD law breakers? Creating a pathway to citizenship for illegal immigrants flies in the face of one of this nation's founding principles -- rule of law.

Law breakers deserve to be punished, and so our government should continue to give illegal immigrants what they deserve -- a ticket home. Yes it may take a while to remove the millions who are here, but our nation can wait. We've endured this problem for decades, what are a few more years?

No one wins when 12 million reside in the shadows of our country. Employers exploit them. Taxpayers support them. And they're not going home. A solution is needed.

Some would say round 'em up and send them back, but that's simply not feasible. The best option is to simply create a path to citizenship that allows those who reside here illegally to come out of the shadows and into the mainstream of American life.

Thus, I propose that as the federal government steps up its protection of American borders it should develop a process that allows illegal immigrants already here to pay a fine (they did break the law) and go then go through the same process of naturalization that others seeking citizenship in our country go through.