The discussion surrounding the recent raid in Postville in search of illegal immigrants has centered mostly around whether or not our immigration laws should be enforced. The answer is simple: Yes. We do not pass laws and not expect them to be followed or enforced. We spend millions of dollars paying legislators to legislate. It wouldn't make sense to then not enforce the laws they enact.

There was much concern expressed about arresting hard-working people, splitting up families and causing much hardship because of the law enforcement. Unfortunately, this distracted us from the real question: Are the laws appropriate? A much tougher question.

As with many public policy debates, there is no right or wrong answer.

It once again distills down to values and when values are the issue, there seldom is a correct answer. On the labor side, it is generally in the best economic interest of American workers to favor strict immigration policies. Controlling the supply of labor will usually lead to increased wages and result in higher incomes. Can it be wrong for workers wanting to earn more in order to have a better life?

On the management side, companies will want loose immigration laws that will increase the supply of labor, lowering wages. This in turn leads to more profits, and, remember, without profits, companies cease to exit.

Further, in the case of corporations, profits are distributed to owners as dividends. Your retirement account and investments depend heavily on profits. Can investors wanting to earn more to have a better life be wrong?

A third group, seldom heard, is consumers. Strict controls on immigration will probably drive up prices of goods and services, but since the increases will probably be small, consumers generally avoid the debate.

But, how can it be wrong for consumers to want lower prices?

Yet another value represented is the spirit that helped our country grow. The words on the Statue of Liberty, which begin, "Give me your tired, your poor …", have reflected our attitude for generations. Are the values embodied in those words to be discarded by those of us whose ancestors immigrated here in the last century or before? Some say yes, others no. Again, no correct answer.

Thus, It becomes clear why we have an ongoing debate. There are powerful forces with much at stake driven by complicated but legitimate value differences.

It should be obvious there is no right answer, no clear-cut solution, no silver bullet. Anything we come up with by necessity must be a compromise that gives something to all stakeholders. No group is going to be completely satisfied but that is usually the nature of public policy decisions where conflicting values are represented.

What should we do? We can begin be recognizing most immigrants are here seeking economic improvement. They feel driven to the U.S. not so much by the hope of freedom from oppression (as in times past) but more by the hope of a better standard of living. They leave home, family and friends for a chance at economic gain. If their home country offered this, the incentive to come to the U.S. would be greatly diminished. If we relaxed trade restrictions with our Central American neighbors and put other programs in place to help stimulate their economies, we would reduce the incentive to immigrate to the U.S.

We could ease the procedures for immigrating to the U.S. Some people wait years to immigrate legally, all the time enduring a subsistence living.

Small wonder they choose the quicker, illegal path. Further, a relaxing of our temporary worker status requirements could help. We apparently have a revolving door of illegal immigration. Why not make it a legal one?

Here's what is NOT a good idea: building a wall across our southern border. What a terrible symbol to display. Ronald Reagan recognized the destructive image of a wall designed to prevent people from moving across borders and told Gorbachev to tear his down. How can we justify such a barrier ourselves?

It's clear compromise is necessary for progress. No matter what change we make, there will be unsatisfied people. This does not imply we should do nothing. However, we can improve the situation only if we seek solutions, not victories, and that means compromise.