Why Immigration Reform Will Pass Next Year

The Obama administration is optimistic that the comprehensive immigration reform bill which includes the legalization of the 12 million undocumented aliens in the U.S. will pass next year.

This was expressed by Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano in a major speech at the Center of American Progress last November 14.

“The immigration landscape has changed since comprehensive reform efforts fell short in 2007”, Napolitano said. “I know a major shift when I see one and what I have seen makes reform far more attainable this time around.”

The change that she talked about refers to the improvement of immigration enforcement and border security. Congress did not pass immigration reform in 2007 because many of its members doubted the existence of an effective strategy in dealing with enforcement and border security issues at that time.

Since then, border patrol forces have increased to over 20,000 and 600 miles of border fence have been built. The number of aliens illegally entering the country has been reduced by more than half from the busiest years. 111,000 criminal aliens have been identified since last year when the Secure Communities program was expanded.

Napolitano said that there had been an increase in worksite audits and compliance efforts through the expansion of E-verify “ the electronic verification of employment eligibility of new hires which resulted in improvement in worksite enforcement. More than 167,000 employers at 639,000 worksites now use the internet-based system.

She also pointed to the clearing of the backlog of immigration background checks speeding up the processing of naturalization and green card applications. All these, she said, had been geared to prepare for the comprehensive immigration reforms which the Administration stressed is a necessary component in facilitating economic growth, prosperity, and national security.

She explained her three-pronged approach to immigration reform. The so-called “three-legged stool” includes a “commitment to serious and effective enforcement, improved legal flow for families and workers, and a firm but fair way to deal with those already in the U.S.”

“Everybody recognizes that our current system isn’t working and that our immigration laws need to change¦ Law enforcement and government at every level are asking for reform,” Napolitano emphasized.

Under the Administration’s plan, undocumented immigrants will have to undergo a criminal background check, learn English, and pay all taxes and penalties.

By making them come out of the shadows and become full taxpayers, the Administration believes that they will benefit our economy and will make it easier to enforce the laws against unscrupulous employers.

The Administration is also seeking to add more employment and family visas and a guest worker program.