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Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Pull the plug on immigration bill
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It was a worthwhile effort. But in the end, the immigration bill failed on three key points, all having to do with trust. This Congress and this Administration could never convince the country that it could or would secure the borders. It never established that the path to citizenship was anything other than wink-wink amnesty. And it never succeeded in making the case that a workable employer verification system could be established.
“It’s dead on arrival in the House,” said Rep. Mark Souder, R-Ind., an assessment affirmed by a 114-23 vote among House Republicans on a symbolic resolution to oppose the Senate bill. “A comprehensive bill will not pass the House,” said Souder. “There is significant Democratic opposition and overwhelming Republican opposition.”
Over the next two days, the Senate will take up some 26 amendments proposed by liberals and conservatives. Some are killers — including, for example, an amendment by Sens. Barack Obama (D-Ill.), Max Baucus (D-Mont.) and Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) that would ease the requirement that employers verify that all hires are legal. Instead, they’d be allowed to check only new employees and those the Department of Homeland Security believes are illegal. It would also weaken the requirement that non-citizens present a REAL ID by allowing driver’s licenses or other identification cards. Potential employees not hired under that system could appeal to the Department of Homeland Security for lost wages. The Bush Administration opposes this amendment.
In addition to possible killer amendments, details about undesirable provisions of the bill continue to surface. The Heritage Foundation, which has done a superb job of examining the fine print, argues that immigration law would be suspended under the bill. Two examples it cites: If an agent apprehends an illegal who appears to be eligible for a Z visa, he has to be released and allowed to apply for amnesty. The same applies to immigration judges, who must close any proceedings against illegals who appear to be eligible for Z visas and allow them an opportunity to apply. “These provisions (and others) will create endless litigation — tying up a legal system that’s already swamped,” Heritage analysts contend.
Both Georgia senators, Johnny Isakson and Saxby Chambliss, voted on Tuesday against taking the bill back up. “We’ve listened” to Georgia, said Chambliss. They are not yet committed to voting against the final bill. But it comes back to trust.
Any bill that passes the House and Senate will go to conference committee where provisions can be added, eliminated or rewritten entirely. Trust. It’s not there. Pull the plug.
