Stupid Republican (but I repeat myself) immigration plan

A Republican (who else who think of something this stupid?) plan:

The estimated 12 million illegal immigrants in the U.S. would be allowed to apply for a “Z Visa” that would be renewable every three years. Applicants would have to pay $3,500 with each renewal, some of which would be shared with localities as an “impact fee.” Z Visa holders would be eligible for emergency social services, and primary and secondary education.

If illegal immigrants wanted to begin the process of applying for citizenship, they would receive no special preference, and would have to pay $2,000 when they applied for a legal permanent resident visa, or green card, and $8,000 when they were approved. The standard fee for citizenship applications is set to rise from $400 to $675 in June.

Household heads would have to leave the country and reenter to complete the process, with their reentry guaranteed by their Z Visa.

What planet are these guys from?  10,000 bucks to get a green card?  And you wonder why people just come illegally.  Who the hell is emigrating with that kind of money (OK, besides Cuauhtémoc — below)?  The polleros are gonna love this.

A sombrero tip to Laura Fern, at One Step Closer.  Laura has been living and working in Mexico, dealing with the absurdities of life in general, and the idiocy surrounding her husband, Fermin’s, immigration to the United States, in particular.  Recommended reading for anyone who thinks immigration is just a simple matter of waiting in line and filling out some forms.