Some groups advocating a broad rewrite of U.S. immigration law this year are now seeking a piecemeal approach, conceding a lack of support for a comprehensive measure.

Some of the groups intent on offering citizenship for millions of undocumented workers are pushing Congress to move one or two smaller bills this year. They say November’s congressional elections lessen the chances of going further, even when many advocates say Arizona’s enactment of its own tough immigration law shows the need for a new federal plan.
“I think it’s difficult to get comprehensive immigration reform done before the elections,” said Brent Wilkes, national executive director of the League of United Latin American Citizens. “In the meantime, we’re supporting what you would call a down payment on comprehensive reform.”
This sentiment represents a split among the Hispanic groups and labor unions that united behind demands that the Democrats who control Congress enact an immigration overhaul this year or risk paying a price at the polls. Opponents of relaxed rules for undocumented immigrants say lawmakers could pay another price for a sweeping overhaul.
While immigration is one of President Barack Obama’s top priorities, he said in April that Congress may lack the “appetite” to deal with it this year.
The Senate in 2007 blocked lawmakers’ last effort to enact the first major rewrite of immigration laws since 1986.
Now, Senate Democratic leaders are drafting a plan to bolster security at U.S. borders before providing a way for some of the 11 million undocumented immigrants now in the country to become citizens.
Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois, the second-ranking Democrat, said this week he doesn’t want to enact piecemeal immigration laws. Durbin, sponsor of one of the limited bills, said he views such proposals as lures to bring Republicans on board for farther-reaching changes. “I am loath to even suggest” a piecemeal plan, Durbin said. “I am for comprehensive immigration reform.”
Other Democrats question whether any immigration plan, big or small, can be enacted after the long debates over revamping health care and Wall Street rules. No Senate Republicans support immediate changes in immigration law. Democrats control 59 Senate seats, one short of the number needed to force a vote, and Republicans hope to win some of those seats in November.
“It’s almost impossible to get consensus on anything,” said Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy, a Vermont Democrat. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a California Democrat, has repeatedly said she won’t push a measure in her chamber until the Senate acts.
Some groups in the immigration debate are dismayed at talk of a piecemeal approach and say they haven’t given up on an overhaul this year.
Eliseo Medina, executive vice president of the Service Employees International Union, said there is momentum for change after enactment of the Arizona measure. The law, starting in late July, makes it a state crime to be in the U.S. illegally and requires police to check the status of anyone suspected of being in the country without documentation.
“I think we have a shot at getting it done,” Medina said. “It’s going to be difficult, but it’s not impossible.” Groups advocating smaller measures cite two bills with some bipartisan support.
The first would allow illegal immigrants who arrive in the U.S. before age 15 and remain at least five years to become permanent residents after graduating from high school. Introduced by Durbin and Republican Senator Richard Lugar of Indiana, it would affect about 65,000 illegal immigrants.
The second bill, sponsored by Senator Dianne Feinstein and Representative Howard Berman, both California Democrats, would create a pilot plan to legalize the immigrant status of undocumented agricultural workers laboring on farms for at least two years. It would affect about 2 million workers and their families.
“We’re looking at the possibility of doing one bill that might help move the broader debate forward,” said Tyler Moran, policy director of the National Immigration Law Center in Washington. She said the measure targeting young immigrants who finish high school affects a “compelling constituency” and may have the best chance of approval.
Senator Jeff Sessions of Alabama, the top Judiciary Committee Republican, said his party probably won’t support any legislation until Obama can control the flow of illegal immigrants into the U.S.
“You show us you’ve ended this massive illegality that is occurring every single day, and then we can begin to talk about people who have been here a long time,” Sessions said.
Clarissa Martinez, director of immigration and national campaigns at National Council of La Raza, said a broad measure is achievable in coming months though she said a move by Obama to bolster border security may have undermined efforts to get Republicans to sign on.
Obama said May 26 he would send 1,200 National Guard troops to the border with Mexico and seek another $500 million for border security, a step Martinez said might have been offered in negotiations over a broader plan.
(Source: Bloomberg)