By Alexander Stillwell
September 24, 2007

While Senate legislation on comprehensive immigration reform collapsed last year, hearings have started in the House of Representatives following the August recess to restart the process.

The House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security and International Law, headed by Rep. Zoe Lofgren (CA), held a Sept. 6 hearing on H.R. 1645, a bill that mirrors the failed Senate legislation, the “Secure America Act” sponsored by Senators John McCain (AZ) and Ted Kennedy (MA) and strongly supported by the Bush Administration. The House revision, “Security Through Registered Immigration and a Vibrant Economy Act of 2007” mirrors the McCain-Kennedy attempt at comprehensive immigration reform. Chief sponsors are Rep. Jeff Flake (AZ) and Rep. Luis Gutierrez (IL).

The two testified at the hearing and were joined by Representatives Joe Baca (CA), Ray LaHood (IL), and Brian Bilbray (CA) and an additional panel of citizens.

Flake noted that “the first half of 2007 saw more then 1,400 bills dealing with immigration introduced in state legislature, with 190 laws enacted in 41 states.” Flake said he and Congressman Gutierrez drafted this bill as a fundamental first step in the process of stopping the immigration and problems the country has today.

The highlights of the bill cover:

• Increase in border security by means of personnel and asset increases, technology increases and international cooperation;

• Tighter control of unauthorized aliens working through implementation of electronic employment verification system;

• Temporary guest worker program (New Worker Program) which allows 400,000 aliens to work in US for up to 6 years;

• Adjustment of status to permanent resident if alien has been in the US for 5 years, pays $500, and is pursuing English and U.S. history education;

• 6-year conditional nonimmigrant status for qualifying aliens who have been here illegally if pays $500 fee and is not a criminal;

• Gives opportunities for agricultural jobs if alien has been employed in US agriculture for 150 work days.

Ranking Subcommittee Minority Rep. Steve King (IA) discussed the meaning of amnesty and how it applies to this act. King said the bill was flawed and amnesty is not the correct method of choice due to the failed results of 1986’s similar bill.

The panel of the Congressmen noted that deportation could not solve the issue of illegal immigration. Gutierrez mentioned that at the current rate (the U.S. deported an unprecedented 80,000 illegal aliens in 2006) it would take us 80 years to deport all illegal aliens, which is estimated at about 12 million people. Other representatives mentioned that deportation is “just not practical,” and would “close American small businesses.”

As US Mayor when to press, there were no additional hearings scheduled for this bill.

The United States Conference of Mayors immigration policy is that reform is needed and it must be comprehensive. Citing the enormous contributions of immigrants to the economic, cultural, and political life of the U.S. and its cities; the engines of the national economy, contributions recognized and honored throughout the history of the country and across the political spectrum; the nation’s mayors are adamant that reform must uphold our basic values as a nation and should include the following key elements:

• a viable and efficient guest worker program to satisfy the country’s labor and employment needs that provide a safe and orderly process for enabling willing immigrant workers to fill essential jobs in our economy. Undocumented workers fill key roles in the country’s city and state economies;

• strengthened border security; and

• a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants living and working in the country.

Furthermore, the Conference opposes any efforts in the Congress to criminalize the presence of undocumented workers. The mayors have a long'standing record of opposing efforts by the Congress to impose unfunded federal mandates on cities and other local governments requiring, without reimbursement or training, enforcement of immigration violations that are by nature a Federal responsibility.