Thread: Find way to settle immigration (gag-worthy)

Find way to settle immigration

By MATTHEW I. HIRSCH

DELAWARE VOICE

Within the past year, America's immigration policy became one of the country's most debated issues.

In December 2005, the House of Representatives passed the get-tough Border Protection, Antiterrorism and Illegal Immigration Control Act. Advocacy groups across the country began to join together to demand recognition of the realities of a problem that encompasses at least 10 million undocumented immigrants.

The Senate Judiciary Committee, under the leadership of Republican Arlen Specter, brought forth alternate reform proposals. The Senate's comprehensive approach was intended to also take on the challenging question of what to do about millions of undocumented but productive workers and the needs of industries and employers that rely on them.

The Senate considered a guest worker program and increasing visa numbers in family and employment categories, to reduce lengthy backlogs and bottlenecks, and resolve the disconnect between the needs of our economy and current immigration laws.

With support from the White House, the Senate passed its bill with a bipartisan margin of 62- 36.

At that point in May, optimism was rampant among advocates for immigration reform. Polling from throughout the country indicated there was nationwide support for regularizing the status of the undocumented, creating a guest worker program and toughening enforcement at the border.

With a difficult mid-term election ahead, it became apparent to the Republican congressional leadership that immigration reform was a no-win proposition for its candidates.

The outcome of the election has been interpreted by talking heads and columnists of every stripe. But one conclusion is inescapable: The restrictionists lost.

Accusations of "amnesty," which some strategists saw as a trigger for polarizing the electorate, failed to sway voters. In a survey taken just before the November election, a majority of likely voters said they considered enforcement measures to be only a part of the solution to America's immigration problems.

Several factors suggest that comprehensive immigration reform might become a lasting legacy of the Bush administration. First, Republican strategists know the party's inability to pass immigration reform hurt them badly with Hispanic voters.

In 2004, President Bush carried 44 percent of the Hispanic vote. In the most recent elections, Republicans won only 27 percent of that diverse demographic. This sends an important message to presidential and congressional candidates, who understand the political power of America's fastest-growing voting bloc.

Second, powerful lobbies favor comprehensive immigration reform, which includes legalizing millions of undocumented workers and creating a guest worker program.

Trade associations representing employers throughout the United States have called for increases in visas for both highly skilled workers and less-skilled workers. Agricultural producers, meat and poultry processors, construction, hospitality, health care and other sectors are straining to keep up with current and projected labor shortages and would be crippled by a nationwide sweep of illegal workers.

Microsoft, Dell and Intel are using their considerable influence to press for reforms that facilitate hiring foreign workers, especially in science, mathematics, engineering and technology.

Domestic political considerations and presidential politics may cut a path toward comprehensive immigration reform. President Bush wants immigration reform -- including legalization of the undocumented -- and the new Congress may be more likely than the old one to give it to him.

Americans are weary of stalemate and partisanship. The next few months may offer a window of opportunity for the new Democrat-led Congress to join with moderate Republicans and the president to push a multi-faceted approach to illegal immigration, closing the reality gap between economic needs and current immigration laws.

As many commentators have pointed out, President Bush needs a "win" to counteract months of falling poll numbers and a dearth of meaningful legislative victories.

Proponents of immigration reform still face difficult challenges. The new Democratic leadership has many priorities, and it remains to be seen whether they are willing to take on the daunting and divisive issue of immigration reform.

There are competing constituencies within both parties that do not share common views on how to address the complexities of controlling the border, workplace enforcement, labor shortages and national security.

With the electorate split on these issues, it is likely that any broad legislative solution will combine elements. This will require compromise on the part of constituencies, interest groups and politicians.

Ultimately, it will be up to the public to demand that elected officials take up this challenge. If we are complacent or accept stalemate from unwilling politicians, then we only have ourselves to blame for an immigration policy harmful to the American economy, threatening to national security and inconsistent
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Matthew I. Hirsch is an adjunct professor of immigration law at Widener University School of Law. He is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association and the American Immigration Law Foundation.

http://www.delawareonline.com/apps/pbcs ... 08/OPINION

I have no respect for some who call themselves Americans who would sell this country of ours out to criminal invaders. No matter what they do they are criminals (illegals) and always will be no matter what Congress does. These kind will be the first to be yelling when because of these illegals America's economy falls in the gutter and we become just another third world cesspool. We already see the effect in our cities what these illegals have done. Not to mention the many American lives including children ended by them. How sad these individuals who call themselves American don't even take time to look at the undeniable facts. I see many of America's elderly living in squalor while our tax dollars go to these illegals, who in many cases are stealing them out of the mouths of our elderly and children!

I believe my ginger snapped

This sends an important message to presidential and congressional candidates, who understand the political power of America's fastest-growing voting bloc.

propaganda...blah, blah blah

and this is exactly why we will not just let them threaten and force their way into citizenship...when they clearly have an agenda for complete and total control...MEXICO'S GOVERNMENT IS OUR WORST NEIGHBOR along with many other folks in WASHINGTON DC