Those that are already here ought to be given a pathway to legalisation, including green card and citizenship in due course. They must qualify for it as any outside applicant insofar as being clean of crime, be physically fit enough, get a sponsor willing to cover them, be barred from welfare, not be politically undesirable (like someone calling for terrorism, etc) and willing to truly integrate, pay all back taxes, sign for military selective service and serve if called, etc. The immigration code should be simplified on procedures and sufficient staff hired to reduce backlog with immigrants and/or sponsoring families and employees assessed costs of processing. The nation needs a large immigration admittance to do the tasks and pay the costs needed to compete, especially since the Baby Boomer generation will now be entering their retirement years where they will live longer due to health advancement but need significant care due to their age, who also won't be working as much or at all due to retirement and health reasons, and who again won't be paying income taxes for the same reasons. This is especially true in the working trades and physical labour sides.

Once that is achieved, I'd increase border control and surveillance and pass strong laws and serious enforcement to anyone who seeks to hire illegal entrants to send a message that any person or corporation that looks to cheat on the immigration and labour laws will face serious sanctions, including extensive prison and fines. I'd also treat it as a felony to further the public message. Employers must verify employees' status and report all non-US citizens for verification of authenticity of legality. This would also aid with catching legally admitted immigrants who may have broken laws, as that information will be checked for criminal backgrounds. This in turn creates an ongoing check where they are and that they are working and gives entrants every incentive to obey the law or leave if they have broken it. I'd get the IRS also involved in its audits to look out for unusual incomes and assets from employers and employees. I'd also make it a criminal offence to be here illegally and punish them for it to create an incentive not to ignore a fair entry policy and to stay out if the nation has already deemed you unfit to be here due to a criminal record, political undesirability, etc. I would also examine our policies with Mexico, given it is a corrupt and poor place that drives immigration, with all carrots and sticks on the table for consideration. Those are some ideas for starters.

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