March 27, 2007
The House will consider a new immigration reform bill that is said to be the size of an average telephone book. It bothers me when legislation is that complicated. It says to me there are too many ways around it.
The Washington Post says the House measure has something for everyone – a path to citizenship for 12 million illegals already in the country, but only after border security is addressed. The bill requires a large increase in border control personnel, electronic monitoring, tougher penalties for crimes committed by illegals and a system whereby employers can electronically verify that employees and job applicants are authorized to work in this country.
All of that sounds good, but liberals are sneaky. We got a deal like this nearly 20 years ago. In that deal we absorbed millions of illegal immigrants but nothing was done about border security. Liberals want the votes of these people. Conservatives want to preserve what makes America unique and make people obey our laws. All of us should monitor this phone book legislation.
Cal Thomas is a nationally syndicated columnist based in Washington, D.C.
