Immigration debate hinges on several factors
By: Carrie Budoff
May 15, 2007 09:35 PM EST


The Overview

Congress is trying to find a way to deal with an ever-increasing flow of illegal immigrants into the country. Many conservative and liberal members agree that the approach must go beyond simply securing the border or addressing the status of the 12 million undocumented immigrants who are already here. So, with the backing of President Bush, congressional leaders have been trying to draft a single bill that takes a comprehensive approach to the complex issue. Their failure to deliver a bill last year, and the slow pace of negotiations this year, underscores the seeming intangibility of a resolution.

The Process

About 10 Republican and Democratic senators have been meeting privately for weeks in an attempt to write a new bipartisan bill, but they remain far apart on many key issues. Despite that, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) wants to begin debate Wednesday on a different bill -- the one that passed the Senate last year with bipartisan support but stalled in the House. Reid said he is using this bill as a starting point while bipartisan negotiations continue. But that move has irked Republicans, even those who voted for the bill less than a year ago. They say Reid should avoid any debate until the bipartisan group strikes a deal or calls off talks. Some in the GOP have threatened to block the debate through procedural maneuvers.

The Players

This year's Republican team includes more conservatives than last year's, mollifying border-first advocates but raising concerns among immigrant-rights activists that the final bill could be unpalatable. The GOP regulars include Jon Kyl of Arizona, John Cornyn of Texas, Mel Martinez of Florida, Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina.

Democrats have largely delegated the task to Sen. Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts, who was an architect of last year's bill. Also joining him are Robert Menendez of New Jersey and Ken Salazar of Colorado.

The Other Players

Immigration has divided the natural constituencies of both parties. Portions of the conservative Republican base want to stanch the flow of immigrant workers, who they believe drive down the wages of American workers. But Republican-leaning business groups see a benefit to creating such a labor pool. Dividing along similar lines, labor unions have also sent conflicting messages to Democratic Party leaders.


With bipartisan negotiators plodding slowly toward a compromise on an overhaul of the nation's immigration system, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) has threatened to reopen debate on last year's bill. Here is a primer for the debate, which is now set to begin Monday:


The 'Grand Bargain'

The senators agreed, in very general terms, to what the bill must do. Tighten border security. Establish an employer-verification system. Address the status of the 12 million existing undocumented immigrants. Create a system to deal with the future flow of immigrants.

The Buzzkill

It's the details that matter -- and agreement on those have so far been difficult to come by.

The Bottom Line

Even if the Senate passes a bill, it would face a tough slog through the House. Democrats control that chamber, too, but some of the newest members ran on a conservative approach to immigration.

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