http://www.journalstar.com/articles/200 ... 188565.prt

Don Walton: Parties dodge immigration controversy


Monday, Jun 19, 2006 - 12:07:51 am CDT

Both Lancaster County political parties dodged the question of comprehensive immigration reform during their conventions earlier this month.

Republicans called on federal leaders to “secure our national borders” and declared that “immigrants must be required to enter and reside in our country lawfully.”

Lancaster County Democrats reaffirmed a position adopted two years ago that stated “reform of our current immigration system is needed to reflect the economic needs of the United States, the experience of world migration patterns, to preserve family structures and to ensure fairness to those who live and work in our country.”

Unaddressed was the key Senate immigration reform proposal championed by Republican Sen. Chuck Hagel to provide a pathway to legal status for most of the estimated 12 million illegal immigrants now living in the United States.

Everyone favors enhanced border security.

The contentious issues are the Hagel plan, supported by President Bush, and Senate-Bush proposals for temporary worker permits.

A key element of any temporary worker program is how it would be constructed.

Would a worker be tied to a specific employer?

Tied to employment in a specific occupation or industry?

Tied simply to employment?

Binding a worker to a specific employer smacks of indentured servitude. Think of the power the employer would hold over that worker. Complain, question, become sick or injured, seek higher wages or better working conditions, attempt to organize, fail to do whatever the employer says and you could be fired, lose your temporary legal status and be deported.

The Nebraska Republican Party can avoid the issue of comprehensive immigration reform later this month when it holds its state convention in Grand Island. GOP Chairman Mark Quandahl says the party adopts campaign platforms only in presidential election years.

That avoids an uncomfortable choice between the Hagel-Bush position and the opposing views of Republican Reps. Jeff Fortenberry, Lee Terry and Tom Osborne.

Do I hear a sigh of relief?