The Senate is poised to act on a far-reaching but flawed immigration bill, drafted by the unlikeliest of allies. Much energy and excitement surround news of this breakthrough, because the prospects for actually enacting a comprehensive reform bill have never been better. We have a bipartisan Senate poised to act, a reform-friendly House waiting in the wings, and a willing President with his bill-signing pen in hand. The Senate draft starts a process that, with fixes, could lead to a bill signing before the end of the year. Read on for quotes from editorials from across America in recent days.
“Breakthrough on Immigration,” Washington Post, 5/18/07
The bipartisan deal on immigration announced in the Senate yesterday is a breakthrough: It probably represents the best hope in decades to fix this country's non-functioning immigration system. Most important, it would allow millions of illegal immigrants already here to put themselves on the right side of the law and on a path toward eventual permanent residence. But like most rough drafts, this one needs work. It's critical that in addressing one set of immigration problems, the legislation doesn't create a new set.
“Immigration Innovation,” Los Angeles Times, 5/18/07
The consequences of failure this spring would be catastrophic — not only would serious reform likely be put off until after the 2008 election, but few of the presidential candidates seem eager to tackle the issue. The country can't wait until 2009.
“Immigration Opening,” The Wall Street Journal, 5/19/07
The White House and key Senators struck an immigration deal this week that looks like the best chance in years to balance border security with human and economic realities. There's room for improvement and a long way to go before any reform becomes law, but Senators Jon Kyl of Arizona and Ted Kennedy of Massachusetts deserve high marks for making progress.
“A big deal on immigration,” Boston Globe, 5/19/07
Defending the immigration reform compromise he helped to broker this week, Senator Edward Kennedy reminded Americans that ‘politics is the art of the possible’ -- that is, not of perfection. The intricate proposal now before the full Senate is far from perfect. But it is also far better than the status quo, and, just as important, it has a realistic shot at becoming law.
“Mending fences on immigration,” San Francisco Chronicle, 5/18/07
The details, however, should not obscure the central accomplishment, which was to figure out a way around the ‘amnesty’ bogeyman that has blocked meaningful immigration reform for most of the past decade. The agreement affirms a principle that has been at the core of America since its founding: that this is a nation of immigrants, regardless of where they came from or how they reached our shores.
“Best chance yet at immigration fix,” Cincinnati Inquirer, 5/20/07
A new, bipartisan compromise on immigration reform being considered in the U.S. Senate offers some hope - finally - that the political impasse might be broken on one of the thorniest issues facing America: what to do about the estimated 12 million people who are here illegally. The product of three months of negotiations among lawmakers, the plan announced Thursday (see outline at right) is far from ideal, and we're likely to see substantial changes before - and if - it is approved by both houses of Congress. Conservatives object to some parts of it; liberals object to others. But politicians and members of the public who don't see this complex, 380-page bill as their preferred solution shouldn't dismiss it out of hand.
“Cooperation Works,” Baltimore Sun, 5/18/07
Lo and behold, it's still true that if negotiators with divergent views but a common goal work hard enough and long enough, they can produce a workable compromise - even on one of the nation's most contentious issues.
“12 million immigrants out of the shadows,” Seattle Times, 5/20/07
The immigration-reform deal among a bipartisan group of U.S. senators is a key milestone in what will continue to be a bruising debate. . . . Kennedy, Kyl and President Bush made serious compromises to achieve a basis to restart the overdue legislative debate—perhaps the last chance before presidential politicking distracts and polarizes. An urgently needed solution to the nation's dysfunctional immigration system is at stake. This can't wait another two years.
“Illegal—but paying taxes,” Denver Post, 05/19/07
Immigration reform is long overdue, and it's encouraging that congressional leaders and the president have advanced a plan to secure the borders and allow businesses to legally hire workers who have shown they want to be responsible contributors to American society.
“A Good Starting Point,” Dallas Morning News, 5/20/07
Thanks, however, to brutal negotiations involving the White House and dedicated senators from both parties, the Senate will start with a bipartisan bill. Deserving of Texans' thanks for renewing the debate are President Bush, who has kept the issue alive in speeches, and lead Senate negotiators Ted Kennedy and Jon Kyl. As an editorial board that has pushed hard for immigration reform, we think this bill is a good place to begin – but with the understanding that major work is still to be done.
“Senate Compromise is Humane Proposal,” The Daily Record (Morris County, NJ), 5/20/07
The compromise proposes to deal humanely with a very complicated problem. We think those representing New Jersey in the House and Senate should support it.
“Immigration bill may be best solution,” Leaf-Chronicle (Clarksville, TN), 5/20/07
Let's face the facts. A bill never will be crafted that will appeal to everyone—and it's physically impossible to simply deport 12 million illegal immigrants. A bipartisan group of senators worked on this legislation for months and did the best it could. Congress is urged to give it the fair hearing and consideration that it deserves.
“Deal on immigration,” Ventura County Star, 5/20/07
The compromise between President Bush and bipartisan Senate leaders is the last, best shot at meaningful immigration reform. . . . Much in this bill demands improvement, but the alternative is to go on as we've been going patching the border with a wall here, some barbed wire there and meanwhile the illegals still keep coming.
“An opportunity for immigration reform,” Daily News Tribune (Waltham, MA), 5/20/07
House Republicans should remember that their leaders shot down comprehensive immigration reform last year in hopes that being anti-immigrant would benefit them politically in last year's election. It didn't work out that way, because most voters want more than self-righteous huffing and puffing when it comes to immigration. They want real solutions that address both security and economics that are both practical and humane. This bill, though no one's ideal, is the closest thing to a workable solution we're likely to see for years to come. Congress must not squander this opportunity.
“Deal on immigration is based in real world,” The Republican (Springfield, MA), 5/20/07
We strongly support the compromise bill, and urge House members to follow the lead of their colleagues in the upper chamber. The bill is realistic. It seeks ways to deal with the fact that there are some 12 million people who are here illegally. Those who seek to simply wave that away as unacceptable, as ‘amnesty,’ are dealing only in theory. The bill also contends with the serious matter of border control. A sovereign nation must have control over its own borders. Of this there can be no real debate.
“Congress should seize the day on immigration,” Albuquerque Tribune, 5/18/07
The Senate bill offers a chance for the nation and both parties to come together to resolve a major issue at the top of the country's agenda with a minimum of discord. It's a fine thing to see and could be a model for addressing a range of controversial, partisan issues, from Social Security reform to a national health care plan. Before we are Republicans or Democrats, we are Americans. And immigration reform is all about adopting and implementing immigration rules that serve the country's best interests and those of the current and next wave of new Americans.
“Don't squander opportunity for immigration reform,” Des Moines Register, 5/19/07
A bipartisan group of senators and President Bush have done the nation a great service by delivering the outlines of a workable plan for immigration reform. That in itself is a significant breakthrough in an era when bipartisanship and compromise are all too rare. Now, it's crucial that the rest of Congress work diligently to reach agreement.
“Immigration Intrigue,” Newsday, 5/19/07
A tip of the hat is in order for the bipartisan group that negotiated the framework for immigration reform announced this week. Illegal immigration is a complex, divisive problem that the nation has to solve, and the agreement is a solid point of departure for the debate to come. But with contentious details yet to be resolved, reform is far from guaranteed. The framework does contain the key elements of a workable approach. It provides for tighter border security, a path to a life above ground and eventual citizenship for undocumented immigrants, a guest worker program, and tougher workplace enforcement. All those elements, in some guise, need to survive the bruising battle ahead.
“A new plan for immigration reform deserves support from the House,” Orlando Sentinel, 5/19/07
This isn't a perfect plan, but it's a sound foundation. The demagogues -- Mr. Keller, talk show host Lou Dobbs, Republican Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite of Brooksville -- shouldn't be allowed to poison the discussion. Americans don't want to hear the negative chatter anyway. A recent USA TODAY/Gallup poll showed overwhelming support -- 78 percent -- for allowing immigrants who came to the U.S. illegally to apply for citizenship if certain requirements are met. And that's the exact intent of this bill. It's time to get past the emotion, and finally end the turf wars on immigration.
“Immigration compromise offers promise,” San Diego Union-Tribune, 5/18/07
A bipartisan group of senators has produced the outline of a compromise immigration bill that, while not perfect, represents an important first step toward comprehensive reform. . . . Senators need to give this compromise bill a full and fair hearing, and offer constructive amendments to make the legislation better. Then, members of the House have to do likewise when they pick up the issue with a bill of their own next month. And at the end of that process, lawmakers in both chambers need to send to President Bush a bill that offers a real and thoughtful solution to this most challenging of public policy issues.
“The deal on immigration: Much to be liked, but flawed,” Rocky Mountain News, 5/19/07
[W]hile the latest compromise appears to be the best comprehensive plan yet, and clearly has the makings of a good law, it still needs tweaking before it reaches President Bush's desk.
“At last—a fair approach to immigration reform,” San Jose Mercury News, 5/18/07
Immigration reform took a huge and promising step forward Thursday. The policies recommended by key Senate negotiators and supported by President Bush would accomplish much of what’s needed to restore a rational immigration policy that is both fair and humane.
“Immigration plan offers one way to fulfill youthful dreams,” San Jose Mercury News, 5/18/07
The immigration compromise that senators announced Thursday would encourage youngsters who were brought to America illegally to graduate from high school and go on to college or join the military. For a nation facing a critical shortage of educated workers and a Latino dropout rate approaching 50 percent, that’s enlightened policy.
