20070610 For more information on Immigration reform

For more information on Immigration reform

June 10^th, 2007

For more information on Immigration reform on “Soundtrack” click here: Immigration Reform

To view past Tentacle columns on Immigration reform go here:

May 9, 2007, Déjà Vu, All Over Again, by Kevin E. Dayhoff

and here:

May 31, 2006, The Great Mexican Maginot Line, by Kevin E. Dayhoff

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On May 9, 2007, in “Déjà Vu, All Over Again,” I wrote in part:

Our Congress is embarking on yet another curious and quixotic adventure, almost like the movie "Ground Hog Day." This time it is again delving into a perilous journey to develop a cogent approach to immigration reform.

Yes, it was just about a year ago that we were all debating and then wrestling to the ground S.2611, the "Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006," and the House version of immigration reform, "The Border Protection, Antiterrorism, and Illegal Immigration Control Act of 2005"

For years Congress has grappled with the first major overhaul of our country's immigration laws since a 97-3 majority passed Senate Bill 1664 in 1996.

That 1996 legislation was huge on several fronts. Scores of measures were enacted to limit the opportunity for illegal immigration. The border patrol was increased in both funding and staffing. Provisions barred an apprehended illegal alien for re-entry into the country for 10 years.

The most noteworthy legacy of the 1996 legislation was that it was a huge failure.

With the exception of that 1996 legislation, all immigration reform since 1990 has been ad hoc and piecemeal, all with the same results - failure to regulate and manage demands on immigration labor and maintaining a secure border with Mexico.

Alright - all immigration approaches by Congress have failed since the ill-fated 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act was passed by Congress.

[…]

Nevertheless, it appears that this year the divisions in both the Democrat and Republican parties have deepened to the point that any discussion resembles a circular firing squad.

The Washington Times quoted "a senior Republican aide," who nailed it: the Democrats "want the issue, not an accomplishment." The immigration issue divides the Democrats as much as the Republicans. The aide went on to add "that Mr. Reid's move appears designed to force Republicans to filibuster the bill, thus allowing both sides to point fingers at each other.

"He wants us to save Democrats from themselves - 'Stop me before I take bad votes again.' That's where (Senator Reid) is. He wants us to be (the) grown-ups."

Read the entire column here: Déjà Vu, All Over Again

On May 31, 2006, The Great Mexican Maginot Line, I wrote in part:

Last Thursday, the United States Senate passed the "Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006" by a vote of 62 to 36. The legislation has sparked rigorous and rancorous debate as it supports a bi-partisan, multi-disciplinary approach to the challenges of immigration reform embraced by President George W. Bush.

The Senate legislation connects the necessary security of the border with Mexico with a "guest-worker" program, which will enable immigrant laborers to work in our country. It also creates a procedure for current undocumented workers to pay back taxes, pay a fine, learn English and apply for citizenship.

[…]

There is no doubt that the border with Mexico must be secured. One of the basic definitions of a nation-state is definable and defensible borders and right now the border with Mexico looks more like the Kashmir region between India and Pakistan.

Nevertheless, overlooked in the great immigration debate is the critical need for immigration reforms that will secure a legal and stable workforce - especially in agriculture. The House "enforcement only" legislation ignores agriculture's labor needs and will have a huge negative effect on our food supplies, on American farms and the economy.

[…]

Read the rest of the column here: The Great Mexican Maginot Line

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