President Obama will soon propose reforms that will make our current immigration system less of a living hell for employers and foreign workers. Before restrictionist Republicans — who have killed every recent reform effort — get their knickers in a knot, they should consider that the status quo they are defending is a creation of Big Labor and completely antithetical to their bedrock commitment to a free market.

In a free market, employer needs, not federal bureaucrats, would determine which and how many immigrants enter the country. Uncle Sam’s role would be restricted to conducting security and health checks.