The return of immigration ‘reform’
June 19, 2007| By Nathaniel Ward
Liberals in Congress—and a few self-described conservatives as well—are working hard to revive the flawed immigration bill, which was withdrawn from consideration just two weeks ago.
Heritage experts are already working hard to ensure Congress and the public are informed about this version of the legislation. To that end, they have secured a copy of the legislation to ensure the public—and even members of Congress—know the revised bill’s consequences.
Read the whole text of the bill on Heritage’s Web site.
Heritage experts have already begun an analysis of the new immigration proposal. Here’s what they’re saying:
- National security expert James Carafano warns conservatives to be wary of liberal promises of expanded border security funding in the immigration bill. Their pledge to throw more than $4 billion at security funding, he writes in National Review Online, “allows them to say they’ve ‘done something,’ even though the extra spending may not accomplish anything.”
- “The legislation would actually create a national security problem by providing new opportunities and advantages for alien terrorists currently operating on American soil,” argues visiting fellow Khris Kobach. He outlines several ways a would-be terrorist could exploit the immigration bill’s many loopholes. For example, he could simply make up a new name and apply for amnesty.
As before, lawmakers must be careful not to fall into the liberals’ trap. The need to do something about immigration must not be used as an excuse to expand government or grant favors to special interests. And it is not necessarily the case that “any bill is better than no bill.”
Nathaniel Ward is the Editor of MyHeritage.org—a website for members and supporters of The Heritage Foundation.
