Senate Leader Rushes Harsh Immigration Bill

The rush to come up with a restrictionist bill has caught up with the Senate anew when Senate Majority Floor Leader Bill Frist (R-TN), introduced his own bill on March 16.

Senator Frist’s bill is heavy on enforcement measures and does not contain legalization provisions for the undocumented. He will directly bring it to the full Senate effectively bypassing the Senate Judiciary Committee, unless the Committee produces a bill by March 27.

The Committee is close to agreeing on key provisions such as a path to legalization for undocumented immigrants, a guest worker program and strengthening border patrol.

Frist Rush

During the Committee deliberations on March 16, Senator Specter, the Chairman, said it would be a colossal mistake for Senate Majority Leader Frist to bring an immigration bill to the Senate Floor that had not been completely vetted by the Committee, according to an update from the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA).

Senator Frist claims in a recent Washington Post report to be motivated by a belief that only prompt Senate action will allow Senate and House negotiators to reach a compromise on a final bill this year.

The WashingtonPost also reported that many Republicans believe a new law to get tough on illegal immigrants is one of the few pieces of legislation that must be passed before the November elections if the GOP is to maintain the allegiance of conservative voters.

Senator Frist refused to ease up on the March 27 deadline he imposed on the Committee, despite the requests of his colleagues in the Senate.

Committee Compromise

The Committee reached a breakthrough when it finally discussed the issue of undocumented immigrants on March 16. Senator Kennedy assured Senator Specter that the earned adjustment program will not allow undocumented immigrants to jump the line in front of those who have been using legal channels.

According to the AILA update, Senator Specter said he was willing to find a way to put the undocumented on a path to citizenship at the end of the line.

Senator Kennedy for his part said he was willing to accept an amendment that would ensure that permanent residence would not be granted to undocumented immigrants until the current backlogs are cleared.

The Committee passed by voice vote the amendment of Senator Brownback that will permanently authorize the J-1 waiver program for foreign doctors working in underserved areas.

Committee approval for another Brownback amendment, which seeks to exempt nurses and physical therapists from the annual employment-based and per-country caps was, however, deferred.

The Committee will reconvene on March 27 to work out the details of the compromise which hopefully will be submitted to the full Senate on time.

Immigrant Action

There is too much at stake in the long-winded process of passing an immigration reform law. The immigrant community cannot afford to stand idly by and just let things happen. It must take the lead in consolidating the pro-immigrant forces, which by this time already include business establishments, labor groups and faith-based organizations.

At present, the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) is currently circulating a petition letter seeking support for comprehensive immigration reform.

Organizations and individuals can do their share in raising public awareness about immigration reform. Everyone must know that the immigration reform law that will emerge from Congress will affect citizens and non-citizens alike. We must take part in shaping what could be the most important piece of immigration law passed by the US Congress. We must have a hand in shaping our future.

You can start by calling before March 27 the Judiciary Committee members who will vote on immigration reform: Joseph R. Biden, Jr. (D-DE), 202-224-5042; Sam Brownback (R-KS), 202-224-6521; Tom Coburn (R-OK), 202 224-5754; John Cornyn (R-TX), 202-224-2934; Mike DeWine (R-OH), 202-224-2315; Richard J. Durbin (D-IL), 202-224-2152; Russel D. Feingold (D-WI), 202-224-5323; Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), 202-224-3841; Lindsey Graham (R-SC), 202-224-5972; Charles E. Grassley (R-IA), 202-224-3744; Orrin G. Hatch (R-UT), 202-224-5251; Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA), 202-224-4543; Herbert Kohl (D-WI), 202-224-5653; John Kyl (R-AZ), 202-224-4242; Charles E. Schumer (D-NY), 202-224-6542; Jeff Sessions (R-AL), 202-224-4124; Arlen Specter (R-PA), 202 224-4254.