Few would argue that U.S. immigration laws are working. Ever since passage of the well-intentioned Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, signed by President Reagan, shortcomings of that law have been clear: a still-porous U.S.-Mexican border, an inadequate guest-worker program and too-lax penalties for companies that employ illegal workers.

For years, any significant overhaul of U.S. immigration law was considered a pipe dream, with opposition fierce — at least until the border was deemed “secure.” But the politics of this issue has changed, with Republicans eager to reach out to Hispanics after a dismal electoral showing in 2012.

Optimism has grown for comprehensive immigration reform, with a “Gang of Eight” U.S. senators shepherding a bill for consideration. Here are the key features we believe are essential for any reform to succeed:

• Truly securing the border. This will require a significant investment by the federal government, not mere window-dressing. Securing the border means closing the floodgates that have allowed an estimated 11 million illegal immigrants to cross into the United States.

• A guest-worker program that provides U.S. agriculture and industry with an adequate supply of seasonal workers who can come to the country legally to address labor needs.

• Stiff penalties for U.S. companies that hire undocumented workers.

• A path to citizenship for existing undocumented workers who desire it, provided that they obtain legal status and pay outstanding fines and taxes.

We would also like to see provisions, either as part of immigration legislation or separately, for the Startup Visa initiative that would provide legal status for foreigners who want to launch businesses in the United States.

Indications are that each of these measures could be included in a final bill. Could Congress finally get something right?