Next order of business in Washington: Immigration reform

Activists protest on March 14, 2011 outside the US embassy in San Salvador demanding President Obama a reform in the immigration regulations and to stop the deportation of Salvadorean immigrants. / JOSE CABEZAS/AFP/Getty Images

Forging ahead with what President Obama has granted top billing on his second-term agenda, lawmakers this week will introduce a plan for comprehensive immigration reform that includes a path to citizenship for those living in the country illegally, and which both Republicans and Democrats say could become law this year.

Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., who unsuccessfully tried to spearhead similar legislation before his 2008 White House bid, is part of a six-member bipartisan Senate team that for weeks has been working on a passable bill. Appearing on ABC's "This Week" on Sunday, he said evolving politics make him hopeful for better success this time around.

"What's changed is, honestly, is that there is a new, I think, appreciation on both sides of the aisle, including, maybe more importantly, on the Republican side of the aisle, that we have to enact a comprehensive immigration reform bill," McCain said.

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"We can't go on forever with 11 million people living in this country in the shadows in illegal status," he continued. "We cannot forever have children who were born here, who were brought here by their parents when they were small children, live in the shadows as well. I think the time is right."

Another member of the Senate group, Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J., agreed on "This Week" that Republicans and Democrats alike are growing increasingly amenable to a pathway to "earned legalization." He said he expects the package to also include tightened border security and a crackdown on hiring undocumented employees.

"I see things that were once off the table for agreement and discussion being on the table with a serious pathway forward," he said.

But while Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said on "Fox News Sunday" the group is "committed to a comprehensive approach to finally, in this country, have an immigration law we can live with," he added there remain "some very difficult issues" to work through.

Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., a group member whose parents were Cuban immigrants, wrote in an op-ed Sunday in the Las Vegas Review-Journal that before the government creates an avenue to citizenship for illegal immigrants, it must first find a way to improve its enforcement of immigration laws. "We... can't fix our broken immigration system if we provide incentives for people to come here illegally - precisely the signal a blanket amnesty would send," he wrote.

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[lgjhere]

Let's face it, this immigration thing is a 20th century issue that has slopped over into the 21st century. The time has come to finally resolve it in an intelligent fashion, as three-fourths of Americans favor and Obama will undoubtedly confront. An interesting new worldwide book/ebook that helps explain the role, struggles, and contributions of immigrants and minorities is "What Foreigners Need To Know About America From A To Z: How to understand crazy American culture, people, government, business, language and more." It paints a revealing picture of America for those who will benefit from a better understanding. Endorsed by ambassadors, educators, and editors, it also informs those who want to learn more about the last remaining superpower and how we compare to other nations on many issues.
As the book points out, immigrants and minorities are a major force in America, as Romney and the GOP recently discovered. Immigrants and the children they bear account for 60 percent of our nation's population growth and own 11 percent of US businesses and are 60 percent more likely to start a new business than native-born Americans. They represent 17 percent of all new business owners (in some states more than 30 percent). Foreign-born business owners generate nearly one-quarter of all business income in California and nearly one-fifth in the states of New York, Florida, and New Jersey.
Legal immigrants number 850,000 each year; undocumented (illegal) immigrants are estimated to be half that number. They come to improve their lives and create a foundation of success for their children to build upon, as did the author's grandparents when they landed at Ellis Island in 1899 after losing 2 children to disease on a cramped cattle car-like sailing from Europe to the Land of Opportunity. Many bring skills and a willingness to work hard to make their dreams a reality, something our founders did four hundred years ago. In describing America, chapter after chapter identifies "foreigners" who became successful in the US and contributed to our society. However, most struggle in their efforts and need guidance in Anytown, USA. Perhaps intelligent immigration reform, White House-Congress cooperation, concerned citizens and books like this can extend a helping hand.
Here's a closing quote from the book's Intro: "With all of our cultural differences though, you'll be surprised to learn how much our countries—and we as human beings—have in common on this little third rock from the sun. After all, the song played at our Disneyland parks around the world is 'It's A Small World After All.' Peace." www.AmericaAtoZ.com

[lillyhorton]

Illegal residents should picket their own country for better wages, safer streets and better sanitation. Where do they get off having a voice without documents?

[drking333]

1. There should be no amnesty for any persons who are currently residing in the USA illegally -- be they undocumented or those wh have overstayed their work visas.
2. Until the current illegal residents have largely returned to their home countries and the USA has regained full control of its borders, all legal immigration to the USA should be suspended.
3. Until the real level of unemployment in the USA drops below 3%, the federal government should focus on the enforcement actions set forth in the 1986 federal immigration law.

Everyone in Congress should remember that the promise that came with the 1986 immigration law that led to about 3 million illegaqls becoming citizens was that we would NEVER again grant an amnesty to illegals!

All citizens who value the rule of law should demand that the USA encourage all illegals to leave, suspend legal immigration until less than 2 million are in the USA illegally, and enforce the laws that forbid the employment of illegals.

[fendferyerself]

A promise is a promise? Haha! Not when dealing with Obama! He is full of hot air. Blah blah blah. "I will do this" "I will do that" He can't do anything!!! Can't believe that people fall for his line of kaka.
And he got re-elected! By the people to whom he broke his 'promise'.
This shows you the intelligence level of Obama supports.
Blindly following him lapping up every word he fills their gullible brains with. It is very sad. And scary too, that these folks now have the majority.
The uneducated, angry, chip on their shoulders, folks who don't want to work or improve themselves, just want to live on the dole, are now the majority of voters in America. America the Doomed. It is just so depressing.

[nb12345]

Yes there is, YOU are illegal if you are in this country illegally, period.

[Tango8050]

S.Korea has grown wealthy under our protection and can well afford to defend its own border.
Bring our 38,500 troops home and put them on OUR border. The troops will love being home and the locals will love having them.
. . Problem solved.

[Ladyrideraz]

This is DISGUSTING! The article is right "there is no need for them to be living in the shadows" and they wouldn't be if the current FEDERAL laws were being enforced and they got deported back where they belong. *** is this idiot THINKING? Unemployment is already high and what does he want to do? Flood the legal work market with more people?

I find is highly hypocritical that a few years back when a truck of illegals found it's way into Mexico it took less that 24 HOURS to get them all deported yet we have tons of them living here for 24 YEARS out in the open. They are laughing at the US of A. They know they can get away with anything with no consequences. Just DISGUSTING!

[Tango8050]

Secure the border.
Shoot trespassers.
Ship criminals home.
. . Problem solved.

[darkhorseky]

Wow
Like always there is more put into these ideals. What about the expansion of visas to take Americans jobs? Are the young coming out of Univeristy or collage worried about having a job. Or having thier jobs down played but cheap workers from out side. But i guess the King siad it was ok? So his loyal fans will fallow along even if it hurts them in the long run.

[Ulgnud]

There is no need for reform. Just enforcement. Turn off the jobs, the magnet, and the handouts. They can go home and be welcomed back when legal. No Amnesty. Period.