* Making individuals fully responsible seems like a pretty good idea to me.
Potential immigrants could post their particulars onto an online exchange.
U.S. citizens could opt to sponsor these immigrants. Judging from the vehemence of my pro-immigration facebook friends they would undoubtedly be snapped up in no time, especially the Muslims.
The downside would be that these sponsor are responsible for any costs associated with accommodating these new immigrants. There would be NO public assistance for these new arrivals. If they cannot support themselves, their sponsor must pick up the slack. Further, if these new arrivals or their offspring commit a crime, their sponsor could be sued for damages.
For an upside, in addition to helping America “live up to our values” and welcome the vibrant diversity that “is our strength” the sponsor could negotiate with the immigrant for a piece of whatever positive gains that immigrant generates. For instance, whoever sponsors the next Elon Musk could be getting a stream of income from whatever businesses he generates.
These sponsorships could be bought and sold, and naturally a robust market for evaluating risk & rewards of various demographic groups would develop, created by people with genuine interest in best-case scenarios for America.
Privatized gains and losses, harnessing the power of the market to identify risk/reward, plus the opportunity for individuals to put their money where their mouths are… what’s not to like?
* As an economist, I like talking finance on Christmas Day. The insurance idea is very good. The post suggested on wrinkle, cohorts.
1. Here’s how cohorts could work. Immigrants are organized in cohorts of 200. They have to find a cohort willing to let them join. People who don’t know anybody will have to join a cohort of the friendless. One way to get in would be to post a money bond. The bond would be forfeited (or partially reduced) if any single member misbehaves. They would have to keep their addresses on file with a cohort leader, so there’d be some chance of keeping track of each other. If a member turns in another member, he gets bonus points, a specially large share of the bond back. (Of course, this would have to be verified for double-crossings.) If a member is especially helpful to police, same thing. After 20 years they get their bond plus interest. Or this could be privatized and they’d get back whatever rate competitive bidding results in.
Most people wouldn’t be able to afford to post much of a bond— though I bet everyone could post $2000. Remember, they have enough money to bribe people and get over here. This would be a different category. They would pay for their bond ex post. They would pay nothing initially, but after 20 years they would have to pay the bond plus interest. If nobody misbehaves, they pay nothing. If somebody does, then they pay up to their share of the bond amount. If they don’t pay, it is like not paying income tax— the government seizes your truck and garnishes your wages– or, better, yet, like student loans and not dischargeable in bankruptcy. Better yet, your assets are seized PLUS you are deported together with any children you had.
A part of this would be that death does not discharge the debt. The heirs are liable for the parents’ bond.
2. Another idea. FOr the impecunious cohorts, an American citizen can act as guarantor. He pays the bond, and he gets it back in 20 years. Thus, someone who likes immigration could invest in it.
