May 17, 2007

Deal Struck On Immigration Reform

UPDATED.

Congress and the White House have reached a compromise on new immigration legislation, nearly two years after President Bush made that divisive issue a central tenet of his second-term agenda.

AP reports that the proposal contains measures to tighten up the borders while also offering a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants. There is plenty here for advocates on both sides of the issue to criticize, but the compromise itself signals a willingness among partisans in Congress to let go of some demands.

For instance, those who wish to legally immigrate may be allowed to do so through a temporary worker program. But as for obtaining a green card to establish residency, education and skills will be prioritized over the applicant's family connections in the United States, according to AP.

The proposal will still have to make its way through Congress, and hardliners -- particularly those in the House -- can be expected to put up a fight. The compromise is less punitive toward illegal immigrants already in the country than a Senate bill that was passed less year, but none of the provisions allowing illegal immigrants to become legitimate will take effect until the border security requirements are met -- a concession to Republicans.

President Bush, who has faced revolt from many in his party on his immigration stance, praised today's breakthrough.

"I appreciate the leadership shown on both sides of the aisle," he said, speaking on the South Lawn with Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez and Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff at his side. The two secretaries had helped broker the deal with lawmakers.

"As I reflect upon this important accomplishment, important first step toward a comprehensive immigration bill, it reminds me of how much the Americans appreciate the fact that we can work together -- when we work together they see positive things," Bush said. Signing the immigration bill into law would represent a major domestic policy win for the president, who saw his push to remake Social Security go up in flames shortly after winning re-election in 2004.

The new point system, in which skills and education are prioritized over family relations, will be a hurdle for Democrats facing pressure from immigration rights groups. Visas would remain relatively easy for foreign-born spouses and children under the age of 21 to obtain, but less so for siblings and other relatives.

"We are wildly uncomfortable with a lot of what we're hearing," Cecilia Muñoz, chief lobbyist for the National Council of La Raza, told the Washington Post.

But California Democrat Dianne Feinstein asked activists to consider the time and work that went into the current compromise, according to the Los Angeles Times. "Please, please, please don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good," she said.

CongressDailyPM (subscription) reports, "The announcement came after a last-minute push when negotiators appeared to be backing away from concepts agreed to as late as last night. Among the last of the sticking points to be resolved was how points would be assigned to low-skilled workers."

Lawmakers hope to bring the proposal to a vote before they break for Memorial Day. See CongressDailyPM (subscription) for more specifics of the proposal.

Posted at 5:08 PM
Posted to: Congress, Immigration
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