AZ to DC

With the recent immigration controversy in Arizona, it seems the democrats are being forced to deal with immigration reform in Washington D.C. This past week Senator Harry Reid of Nevada, the Democratic majority leader, announced the Senate would take up an immigration bill. Although some Republicans like Senator Lindsay Graham of South Carolina stated the other day that he would not support acting on immigration this year. The democrats may have to move forward without bipartisan support. This is a very emotionally explosive issue, which could be bad for both parties during this mid-term election season.
Both parties agree on one thing; there is a need for better border security. There are many other issues to consider that the parties do not agree on, for instance, how to deal with the illegal immigrants already in the United States. Some feel they should be given a chance to become legal. Employers, who rely on the cheap labor and those working-class voters who see undocumented workers as threats to their jobs and wage levels, believe it is time to change immigration. There have been bipartisan talks for months, hashing out immigration issues that both parties could agree on. Surprisingly, there is well established framework for what is proposed.

• Establish "zero tolerance" for illegal border crossers by adding enforcement personnel, technology and tracking systems for departing foreigners.

• Over six years, issue new biometric Social Security cards linked to fingerprints and machine scanners to all U.S. workers and employers to verify work eligibility.

• Ease immigration for highly skilled foreign students in the sciences, and create a new temporary worker visa for low-skilled non-agricultural workers.

• Add protections for U.S. workers and wages, and grant redress to any American worker displaced by a temporary worker.

• Clear immigration backlog of close relatives waiting to be reunited with legal permanent U.S. residents within eight years.

• Register, fingerprint and screen 10.8 million illegal immigrants. After eight years, non-criminals who learn English and civics and pay taxes and fees may apply for permanent residency.

• Begin issuing biometric Social Security cards within 18 months linked to fingerprints or other biometric identifier.

• Deploy a scanner system nationwide over six years that will require all employers to verify workers' eligibility using the cards.

Along with beefing up Border Patrol, customs, immigration enforcement and judicial personnel, there would be and expand use of sensors, military equipment, transport and tracking systems. As much as they have achieved in their bipartisan talks, Republicans want to focus on the energy and climate change legislation before moving onto immigration. That move may not leave enough time this year for reform.