Sullivan: Congress considering guest-worker bill
By RANDY KREHBIEL World Staff Writer
8/23/2008
Last Modified: 8/23/2008 2:52 AM

BROKEN ARROW — Congress is leaning toward a guest worker-type program as one means of addressing illegal immigration, 1st District Congressman John Sullivan said Friday at a Broken Arrow Chamber of Commerce breakfast.

"One of the proposals being looked at is a card for those who want to work here that would be good for, let's say, three to five years," Sullivan said. "There'd be some sort of biometric identification and a background check to make sure they're not a criminal. They'd be able to work here, and they'd also pay taxes. "

Sullivan said the card would allow the holder to leave and re-enter the United States and could be renewed but would not confer citizenship.

"If they want to become a citizen, they can apply for a green card (signifying permanent resident status) and go through the process," Sullivan said.

The Tulsa Republican said he expects some action on the issue after the coming presidential election, regardless of who wins.

Sullivan was among the earliest members of Congress to make illegal immigration an issue but has not talked about it as much recently. On Friday, he said rhetoric on both sides of the issue has gotten out of hand.

"We need to put all of that aside and have a good debate on it," he said.

Sullivan said little is being accomplished in Washington because the two presumptive presidential nominees are U.S. senators.

"If (an issue) doesn't fit their agenda exactly, it's going to be held up," he said. "Or, if it's something one of them wants to take credit for after we come back. So it's actually hurting the legislative process."

Sullivan said he is hopeful, though, that an agreement can be reached to help Oklahoma hospitals with low-income and uninsured patient care. Because the state has a high percentage of uninsured residents and few publicly owned health care facilities, the issue is an important one to Oklahoma medical providers in general and Tulsa-area hospitals in particular.

"We spend hundreds of millions of dollars a year on indigent care," Sullivan said.
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