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Homeland Security Chief on Immigration Bill Failure
In late June, President George W. Bush's immigration plan failed to pass in the Senate, falling short of the 60 votes needed by 14 votes, a crushing defeat for Bush's major domestic policy proposal.
In an additional blow, three-quarters of the Republican senators voted against the bill. Homeland Security Chief Michael Chertoff had much to say to the Senate about this recently.
Legalization of Immigrants Not Happening
The plan would have legalized many or most of the 12 million unlawful immigrants now in the United States, while strengthening the borders and enforcement of immigration laws. It would also have required companies who wish to employ immigrants to participate in a system that checks potential employees' legal and work status.
Chertoff said that the senators who voted down the bill deprived the Department of Homeland Security of a significant tool for fighting illegal immigration.
"[The employee check system] would be the single greatest additional weapon we could use if we're serious about tackling this problem," he said. "But we will do what we have to do with the resources we have at our disposal."
Congress Still Not Acting
He expressed his hopes that an overhaul of the immigration system is still possible. However, legislators in both political parties have admitted that further action on the issue in 2007 is extremely unlikely.
"I think we're going to say to the members of Congress who think they have a better way that they should produce legislation and pass legislation, which they have not done for the past two years," he said.
Hispanic Votes for Republicans Will Fall
In a related issue, several pundits have pointed out that the immigration bill's failure to be voted in by Republicans will probably lose the Republican party many votes among Hispanics in the U.S. A majority of the illegal immigrants in the U.S. are from Mexico and Central American countries, and Hispanic voters are the largest and fastest growing minority in the U.S.
Hispanics in the U.S. have traditionally supported Democratic candidates, but in 2004 a significant switch to President Bush occurred among Hispanic voters — Bush got a landmark 40% of the Hispanic vote. This gain in Hispanic support is expected to drop at the next elections in light of the Republicans' perceived lack of support for immigration reform.
(Source: Forbes)
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