President Trump faces a pivotal moment as Democrats' demands in the Department of Homeland Security funding negotiations have placed immigration at the center of national debate. The current impasse over funding and enforcement policies has given Trump the chance to propose a sweeping compromise that could reshape immigration policy for decades. The article argues that Trump should push for 'regularization' of long-settled illegal immigrants, including those brought as minors and those with a record of work and good behavior, while maintaining strong enforcement against recent arrivals and violent offenders.

Such a move would allow the president to demonstrate both resolve and compassion, offering a path to legal residency for select groups without granting citizenship or voting rights. This approach, the author suggests, could unite super-majorities of Americans who favor rapid deportation of criminals but oppose mass expulsions of hardworking migrants. By seizing this opportunity, Trump could solidify his legacy as a pragmatic leader capable of both securing the border and resolving longstanding immigration challenges.