May 21, 2007
The senate is likely to vote today on what is called “comprehensive” immigration reform. Frankly, I trust neither the Congress, nor the White House when it comes to immigration.
The bill under consideration is 600 pages long. A lot can be hidden in 600 pages. Conservatives want tougher border control and penalties for those who have violated our laws. Many would settle for a path to citizenship for these illegals, as long as the law is upheld and they paid fines and went to the end of the line, behind those who have followed the law. Some conservatives think the illegals should go home first and then apply. We must also do something about court interpretations of the constitution that grant legal status to a child of an illegal born on U.S. soil. Relatives of illegals ought not to automatically have a right to immigrate.
Republicans and democrats are pandering for the votes of the illegals, once they are made legal, so don’t look for them to put the country ahead of their own political interests. This is a problem that should have been fixed a long time ago. I’m not optimistic it will be fixed this time.
Cal Thomas is a nationally syndicated columnist based in Washington, D.C.
