Standing along the border between the United States and Mexico, President Bush on Monday renewed his call for more secure borders and a path to citizenship for millions of illegal immigrants.
The time to act is now.
A small window of opportunity has opened in Washington, where a bipartisan compromise can be hammered out on this red-hot issue. But it’s a brief moment. Political posturing and jockeying for the 2008 elections will begin in earnest this fall, and that can quell bipartisan efforts faster than you can say, “Tom Tancredo.”
Congress and the president need to invest the energy and the political will now to help enact sensible, comprehensive immigration reform. If they wait too long, chances for a solution may get pushed to 2009, with a new president and a new Congress.
“It’s a matter of national interest and it’s a matter of deep conviction for me,” Bush said Monday. His plan, bits of which were leaked to the media over the weekend, is built on five planks: beefed-up border security; a temporary worker program; sanctions against employers who knowingly hire illegals; a “practical solution” on what to do with the 11 million already here illegally, short of granting amnesty; and assimilation of immigrants, including requirements that they learn English and American history.
By making the tough-on-security pitch Monday, Bush was trying to appeal to some Republicans and others who he needs to join the coalition of Democrats who backed comprehensive reform last year.
While we were pleased to see him beating the drum, the initial plan is far from perfect, and Congress can use it as a starting point.
One provision that has raised concerns from Democrats would prevent guest workers from bringing their families to the U.S. and require them to renew work permits at a cost of $3,500 every three years. One of the reasons a guest-worker program is needed is to unite families and reduce the number of dangerous border crossings.
To get a green card under the Bush proposal, immigrants would need to return to their countries and pay a $10,000 application fee. The staggeringly high amount is so unrealistic, given the kinds of jobs that many illegal immigrants do, that it likely would only serve to discourage people from complying with such a law.
A number of measures over the past few years have made it more difficult for immigrants to illegally cross into the U.S. from Mexico. It’s an important first step toward getting a handle on immigration.
However, it’s been a year since the massive rallies in cities across the country, including Denver, and America is still without a more humane and responsible system.
The president and Congress shouldn’t waste this “off year” opportunity.
