Pundits from both ends of the political spectrum have a new pastime. It's a doom and gloom game called "What's Not Going to Happen in Congress." Topping their list of things that are dead on arrival: immigration reform.
But I believe Congress can pass immigration reform this year. It may not be all that immigration advocates want and it certainly won't live up to the dire prophecies of immigration opponents, but it can be meaningful.
We have an immigration system badly in need of overhaul. Our borders are more secure, but far too many people still are crossing into the U.S. illegally. Unscrupulous employers continue to hire undocumented workers, and illegal hiring is not sufficiently penalized. The 12 million illegal immigrants already in this country live in the shadows and do not contribute fully to our society. These problems sap our national productivity and prosperity and erode a concept central to our national identity — that in America, if people work hard and play by the rules, they can get ahead.
That's what led Sen. Dick Lugar, R-Ind., and me to introduce the Dream Act, a bipartisan bill to help students brought to the U.S. illegally at a young age.
These students have lived in this country for most of their lives and it's the only home they know. Because they are undocumented, their options are limited and they could be deported at any time.
The bill would permit these students to become permanent residents if they came here as children (younger than 16), have been here for five years, have good moral character and attend college or enlist in the military for at least two years.
The bill isn't amnesty. It's narrowly tailored to assist a select group of young people in earning legal status. Most of these young people came here with their parents when they were too little to understand the consequences. This bill would allow a generation of immigrant students with great potential to contribute more fully to our society.
We've come close to making the Dream Act law. Last Congress, our bill received 52 votes in the Senate, a majority vote — including 11 Republicans — but we needed 60 under Senate rules.
The bill is part of the answer, but it's not the whole solution. Last month, another bipartisan team, Sens. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., and Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., laid out a framework for comprehensive immigration reform. President Barack Obama has since called on them to translate their framework into legislative language. Their proposal calls for an upgraded and tamper-proof Social Security card, stronger and smarter border security, tougher penalties for employers who hire illegal immigrants and a rigorous but fair path to legal status for undocumented immigrants. And it includes the Dream Act.
I hope Sens. Schumer and Graham are able to reach an agreement and introduce a bill soon. My commitment to immigration reform has not wavered, but we cannot pass immigration reform without more Republican support.
Last month, tens of thousands filled the National Mall in Washington, D.C., to make their voices heard on the immigration issue. Saturday, thousands will gather in Chicago to push for the passage of comprehensive immigration reform in Congress.
Overhauling the system will not be easy or painless. And it will require more cooperation and less demagoguery — on the part of Democrats and Republicans — than we have seen in previous national debates.
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin represents Illinois.
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