Congress may yet move on immigration

Is immigration reform defunct for the 109th Congress? It's looking that way, but there are also new pressures for compromise, especially when lawmakers factor in the cost of doing nothing.

House Speaker Dennis Hastert's call last week for new "field hearings" on the Senate bill puts off serious negotiation over competing bills until just before midterm elections, if ever. It's also a slap at President Bush, who backs the Senate's comprehensive approach to immigration reform and has been meeting privately with groups of lawmakers on the issue two or three times a week.

With immigration, Republicans have hit on an issue that rouses many of their voters, disappointed over their party's handling of war, deficits, and spending. Mail in many congressional offices is running 400 to 1 against the Senate's comprehensive approach to immigration, including a path to citizenship for millions in the US illegally.

Then there's the name that many House Republicans use to refer to the Senate bill: the Kennedy Democrat bill – despite the fact that 23 Senate Republicans backed it. It's meant as a red flag to the GOP base, and a signal that the issue is anchored deep in electoral politics.

Immigration emerged as a deciding factor in the June 6 special election to replace convicted former GOP Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham in California's 50th district. The importance of the issue to voters in this staunchly Republican district stunned many House Republicans.

In addition, on Tuesday, Rep. Chris Cannon (R) of Utah faces an unexpectedly tough primary from a challenger attacking his support of Mr. Bush's approach to immigration.

"[California 50] was a watershed that sent a loud message that people want border security," says Rep. Ray LaHood (R) of Illinois, who favors the Senate's approach. He describes GOP House leaders' plans for field hearings as "a way to kill comprehensive immigration reform for this year."

Still, it's possible that support could build for action this fall. Sen. Arlen Specter (R) of Pennsylvania, who chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee and backs the Senate bill, is opening his own field hearings in Philadelphia on July 5 on guest workers and a path to citizenship for undocumented workers.

Some recent polls signal that those who are registered Republicans and likely to vote are open to plans that require undocumented workers to leave long enough to legalize their status.

"There is still the possibility of finding common ground," says Tamar Jacoby, a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute, a free-market think tank. Last week, the MI released a poll showing that 72 percent of likely Republican voters want Congress to solve the problem of illegal immigration this year. Eighty-five percent say it is not realistic to deport 12 million illegal immigrants, and 1 in 2 opposes a proposal to deal with those here illegally through a policy of attrition.

"Everyone agrees we need better enforcement both on the border and in the workplace. And there's increasing agreement that we need more visas for foreign workers. I believe that airing the issues for a few months will increase the appetite for a solution," she adds.

Meanwhile, a proposal by Rep. Mike Pence (R) of Indiana adopts border- security measures in the House bill. Instead of the path to citizenship provided in the Senate bill, the Pence plan requires those in the country illegally to apply for a work visa outside the United States. Private companies would issue work visas and conduct background checks of workers, as well as providing biometric identifiers for guest workers.

Page: 1 | 2