Immigration Compromise Taking Fire From All Sides

The proposed comprehensive immigration reform bill, devised behind the scenes by U.S. Senators including ultra-conservative John Kyl (R-AZ) and ultra-liberal Ted Kennedy (D-MA) and praised by the White House since it's unveiling last week, may be headed for a floor vote as early as this week. In brief, the compromise would establish a path to citizenship for many of the 12 million illegal immigrants now in the country, although one that is slow, arduous and expensive (among other requirements, applicants must pay a $5,000 fine). A guest worker program would be established to allow a limited number of aliens to work in this country legally but without any chance for citizenship, and the system for applying for immigration visas would be adjusted to emphasize job skills and education (including the ability to speak English) over family relationship to current U.S. citizens (at least beyond the narrow family circle of spouses and minor children). Chances for Senate approval are apparently slim and declining, however, as opponents from various camps turn up the volume on their criticism.

The New York Times reports today that business groups, although supportive of concepts underlying the compromise, are increasingly unhappy with the specifics. In particular, they don't view the skills-and-education point system as targeting their particular employment needs as effectively as the current employer sponsorship of work-related visas. A spokesperson for Hewlett-Packard wrote that that “a ‘merit-based system’ would take the hiring decision out of our hands and place it squarely in the hands of the federal government.” Also, employers are displeased that the bill would require them to check a federal data base on employment eligibility for all existing as well as potential employees.

On the other hand, the Washington Post today details objections from groups supporting immigrant communities, who complain that the guest worker system is immoral because it will lead to a subordinate class of people without rights, and that the emphasis on ability to speak English favors some immigrant nationalities over others, and that the dilution of the long-standing policy in favor of family reunification is "an anti-immigrant drive to end cultural diversity."

As the legislative process draws out, and GOP Senate leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has already declared that it cannot be finished before the Memorial Day recess, more and more rank-and-file legislators will take public stands against the proposal. For example, last week freshman Ohio Congressman Zack Space (D-Dover), who won the strongly Republican 18th Congressional District in the wake of the Bob Ney scandal, issued a press release emblazoned with the headline "SPACE RAILS AGAINST IMMIGRATION COMPROMISE THAT WOULD OFFER AMNESTY TO MILLIONS OF ILLEGALS." Momentum against the proposal can only be expected to build over time.

UPDATE: Add Rep. Deborah Pryce (R-Upper Arlington) to the list of vocal dissenters among the rank-and-file in the U.S. Congress. Hat-tip to the new Dispatch political blog, The Daily Briefing.