I’m a Democrat, and while I do not wish the GOP too much success, it’s vital that Republicans offer workable, sane solutions to the nation’s challenges. Mitt Romney lost, in large measure, on the issue of illegal immigration. Latinos voted No to “self-deportation.”

Undocumented immigrants are here because of our failures — and their grit! Legislators at every level of government pandered to the business interests that required cheap labor and porous borders. Brave souls left their home countries for a better life in a new land. How many of us would have the courage to do the same?

It is time to stop punishing the so-called illegal immigrants for our errors of policy and politics. They should be respected for their gumption and their willingness to work within our system.

We must develop a compassionate, intelligent answer, offering the undocumented a path to citizenship, then developing an immigration policy for countries to our south. If it is a wise one, enforcement will be beneficial to all.

John Kichi, Sewickley Hills, Pa.