1. United States
2. Fla.
3. Letter

I am writing as a citizen who believes deeply in the rule of law, national sovereignty, and the idea that America should welcome those who respect our laws and contribute meaningfully to our society. My concern is straightforward: our current immigration system does not reliably select for those values. I know this not as an abstraction, but personally. I immigrated to the United States as a child from the former Soviet Union. This country gave my family a lawful chance to build a life. Because of that opportunity, I am now a board-certified neurologist, a physician caring for American patients, a mother raising American children, and a contributing member of society. Had the United States not been willing to open its doors to a law-abiding immigrant family, my life—and my ability to give back—would look very different. Today, however, our immigration system makes it extraordinarily difficult for people who follow the rules to remain here. My family previously hosted an au pair from Italy—law-abiding, hardworking, English-speaking, culturally compatible, and deeply respectful of American law. When his program ended, he left the country as required, even though overstaying would have been easy. Despite doing everything right, there is no realistic legal pathway for someone like him to return and remain in the United States permanently. At the same time, our system too often rewards those who violate immigration law with eventual work authorization or status adjustments. This creates a perverse incentive: obedience is punished, while defiance is rewarded. That undermines respect for the law and erodes public confidence in immigration enforcement. I support strong border enforcement and the removal of illegal immigrants, particularly those who pose security risks or reject the values that sustain a free and stable society. But enforcement alone is not sufficient. We must pair it with legal pathways that favor the kinds of people we actually want to admit. I respectfully suggest the following policy reforms: 1. Create a merit- and character-based visa pathway Establish a points-based system that rewards English proficiency, employment history, education or vocational skills, clean legal records, and demonstrated compliance with U.S. law. Character should matter alongside competence. 2. Allow lawful temporary workers to adjust status Au pairs, caregivers, and other temporary workers who complete their programs lawfully, pass background checks, and secure U.S. employer sponsorship should be allowed to adjust status without being forced to leave the country. 3. Expand employer-sponsored visas beyond elite credentials Our economy depends not only on highly credentialed professionals, but also on reliable, industrious workers who meet real labor needs without displacing American workers. 4. Pair enforcement with clear legal doors Border enforcement without meaningful reform reduces lawful labor options and incentivizes illegal entry. Clear, enforceable, lawful pathways reduce chaos and strengthen compliance. America should be selective—not only about skills, but about values. If we are going to welcome immigrants, they should be people who respect our laws, contribute to our communities, and strengthen the social fabric of this country. That is the opportunity America once gave me. It is an opportunity we should continue to extend—wisely, lawfully, and intentionally.