Using 1986 as his starting point, what he termed "the first big reform," Paruch, a Royal Oak-based internationally active immigration attorney, said there were an estimated 2 to 4 million illegal immigrants at the time. That compares to today's estimated 12, 15, 20 million, depending on who is doing the guessing. He reviewed in informative detail the principles, procedures, policies, documentation, enforcement of the ever-changing immigration rules from 1986 through the reforms of 1990 and of 1996, to the present. In no particular order, here are some highlights from Paruch's presentation:

• 20 years ago, the Immigration Service "did it all." Today, some of those early duties, like border enforcement and tracking entry and departure of individuals from the United States and regulating customs activities and document verification, are spread through multiple agencies.

• Even then, the agriculture industry in the West and Southwest made it quite clear that if the use of temporary immigrant workers was reduced too much or prohibited "we'll have to plow over our fields." It remains true that there are some jobs most Americans are simply unwilling to take.

• Today's documents, including new passports, (the "green card is no longer green") contain electronic data which simplify meeting responsibilities by individuals, employers, and government agencies.

• The shifting rules -- 1986, 1990, 1996 -- have resulted in some people who came in legally becoming "illegal" for such reasons as their visa running out or confusion over whether a temporary job is truly temporary.

• Such confusion was made worse by almost eliminating the discretion of immigration judges.

• Today, an "affidavit of support" makes it harder for immigrants to abuse the family-friendly procedures which permit legal immigrants (even those who have become citizens?) from brining in relatives who end up on welfare.

• Deport the 12 million? "It would take 70 years to process them," says Paruch.

• Stop all immigration, including legal, for x-number of years? Entire industries will suffer, including the high-tech, high education sector, Paruch maintains.

• Let only the highly educated in? Where is the logic in demanding extensive education for harvesting crops or working in a meat-packing plant? Paruch said.

Obviously dedicated to promoting legal immigration and just as obviously in love with his work, Paruch touched on categories of quotas for "replenishment"; on the description of "aggravated felony"; the benefits of inviting "investor" immigrants to start up new companies or to rescue American companies in trouble. (America requires the creation of 10 new jobs or saving 10 existing jobs. Canada's requirement, "more welcoming than ours," is for 5 jobs created or saved.)

Paruch named several principles which he feels should permanently guide immigration policy. Among them:

• It is unwise, even futile, to attempt to eliminate the market-driven need to match "willing workers with willing employers."

• Immigration policy should always remain "family friendly."

• Providing more discretion to immigration judges.