WASHINGTON (Mike Madden, Arizona Republic)
November 12, 2005 — With lawmakers under increasing public pressure to
take on illegal immigration, the House could act before the end of the
year on legislation to beef up border security and enforcement.But the speedy schedule has some members, including lawmakers from Arizona, and immigration experts worried that whatever passes could be a mostly cosmetic attempt to declare victory on the issue and move on.
Passing an enforcement bill this year "is a way to say, 'Hey, we're doing something,' " said Rep. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., who is pushing a broader proposal that would allow immigrants to become guest workers and earn legal status. "Unfortunately, I don't think it's going to make much difference."
Taking up immigration reform sooner, rather than later, is both practical and political.
Congressional leaders say they need to help communities along the border and around the nation cope with an increasing number of undocumented immigrants. But they also recognize there could be fallout in next year's midterm elections if they don't do something.
Senate leaders already have said they will not work on comprehensive immigration-reform legislation until early next year.
In the House, some broad outlines of proposals that may be considered next month have emerged. A bill introduced last week by Rep. John Hostettler, R-Ind., who chairs the immigration subcommittee of the House Judiciary Committee, would increase sentences for smugglers and for people with a criminal record who are caught coming back to the United States after being deported.
It also would require the Department of Homeland Security to quickly return non-Mexican immigrants to their countries of origin and cut off immigration from nations that don't accept re-entry. Other legislation might increase penalties for employers who hire undocumented workers.
But none so far would address the question of what to do about the estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants already here.
"What's troubling about the entire process is that many involved seem to view this as a political problem to be managed, rather than an illegal invasion to be stopped," said Rep. J.D. Hayworth, R-Ariz., who opposes letting undocumented workers legalize their status through a guest-visa program and wants a "zero tolerance" approach to illegal entries.
Meanwhile, supporters of a guest-worker program worry that any bill that passes now will sap the political will to take up the issue later.
"If they deal only with the enforcement now, what incentive is there later to come back and deal with the tougher, harder parts?" asked Rep. Jim Kolbe, R-Ariz., who is co-sponsoring comprehensive reform legislation with Flake and Rep. Luis Gutierrez, D-Ill. Their bill is matched in the Senate by legislation sponsored by Arizona Republican John McCain and Massachusetts Democrat Ted Kennedy.
White House aides say President Bush still favors comprehensive immigration-reform legislation. He has called for some form of guest-worker program, though whether workers could earn legal status to remain in the country indefinitely is unclear. Aides to House Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., did not return calls.
Immigration experts predicted that neither side would be happy with whatever emerges this year.
"They just don't have time for a full debate over a big package," said Rosemary Jenks of Numbers USA, a group that wants to reduce immigration. Pushing through some measure now is "about being able to claim credit while they're at home."
That may not get them very far, other analysts said.
"Folks are desperate," said Angela Kelley of the National Immigration Forum, a Washington-based group that advocates for immigrants and less-restrictive policies. "There needs to be a solution. Policymakers need to move beyond sexy sound bites."
