Illegal immigration: The next battle
Democratic Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York and Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina have crafted a pragmatic proposal to tackle immigration reform.
At last, “an elegant proposal for immigration reform” that a majority of Americans can support, said Froma Harrop in The Providence Journal-Bulletin. Democratic Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York and Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina have crafted a pragmatic, bipartisan compromise that would provide a legal path for temporary workers from Mexico and other nations to enter the country to do necessary jobs. Those already here would get a route to citizenship—but only if they pay a fine and back taxes and learn English. In return, the new law would beef up border enforcement and crack down on employers who hire undocumented workers. Everyone in the U.S. would be issued a Social Security card with a biometric marker, such as an iris scan or a fingerprint, making it clear who is eligible to work in the U.S. and who isn’t. Sadly, “it will take a miracle” to get this bill passed, said the Los Angeles Times in an editorial. In the wake of the ugly fight over health-care reform, Republicans and Democrats are more bitterly divided than ever.
Dealing with illegal immigration will always be hard and divisive—“so why not now?” said The Arizona Republic. The Schumer/Graham proposal has all the elements for “meaningful reform,” with measures that should assure both those who want undocumented workers treated fairly and those who oppose a simple “amnesty.” Right now, we have the momentum, said Gabriel Thompson in The Nation. Just weeks ago, 200,000 people descended on Washington to call for immigration reform, and more demonstrations are planned throughout the nation. Latino voters have “growing clout,” and it’s time to let millions of people who want to work “come out of the shadows.”
There’s a much simpler solution, said George Will in The Washington Post. End “birthright citizenship”—the policy that automatically makes citizens of any children born to illegal immigrants on U.S. soil. That policy has served as a magnet for people to cross the border, and accounts for nearly 10 percent of all U.S. births in recent years. By tweaking the wording of the Civil Rights Act of 1866—a time when, it should be noted, there were no illegal immigrants—Congress can take away this incentive to cross the border. That reform, in itself, would “drain some of the scalding steam” from the fight that’s now brewing.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
-
Passenger: 'pleasingly off-kilter' ITV crime drama
The Week Recommends There's 'plenty to be feared' in this British murder mystery set in a quiet northern town
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
Crossword: March 27, 2024
The Week's daily crossword
By The Week Staff Published
-
Sudoku hard: March 27, 2024
The Week's daily hard sudoku puzzle
By The Week Staff Published
-
The debate about Biden's age and mental fitness
In Depth Some critics argue Biden is too old to run again. Does the argument have merit?
By Grayson Quay Published
-
How would a second Trump presidency affect Britain?
Today's Big Question Re-election of Republican frontrunner could threaten UK security, warns former head of secret service
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
'Rwanda plan is less a deterrent and more a bluff'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By The Week UK Published
-
Henry Kissinger dies aged 100: a complicated legacy?
Talking Point Top US diplomat and Nobel Peace Prize winner remembered as both foreign policy genius and war criminal
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Last updated
-
Trump’s rhetoric: a shift to 'straight-up Nazi talk'
Why everyone's talking about Would-be president's sinister language is backed by an incendiary policy agenda, say commentators
By The Week UK Published
-
More covfefe: is the world ready for a second Donald Trump presidency?
Today's Big Question Republican's re-election would be a 'nightmare' scenario for Europe, Ukraine and the West
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Xi-Biden meeting: what's in it for both leaders?
Today's Big Question Two superpowers seek to stabilise relations amid global turmoil but core issues of security, trade and Taiwan remain
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Will North Korea take advantage of Israel-Hamas conflict?
Today's Big Question Pyongyang's ties with Russia are 'growing and dangerous' amid reports it sent weapons to Gaza
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published