Can Obama Be Quiet and Let Congress Deal with Immigration

Dear readers, in the next several weeks, we will examine the major pieces of the program set out by President Obama in his February 12th State of the Union Address. Today, let's consider one item that seems to the only piece of the President's agenda that almost everyone in Washington agrees on - America's immigration policy needs to be changed. The lone outsider...as usual...is President Obama, who does not want to wait until the borders are secure and the United States is in control of immigration to grant a citizenship path to illegal immigrants. This may be the sole time when Barack Obama's penchant for non-leadership on important issues could actually be helpful. As the President mentioned in his State of the Union Address last night, a bipartisan group of senators has announced a "Bipartisan Framework for Comprehensive Immigration Reform." They propose a "tough but fair path" to citizenship for illegal immigrants that would begin only after the federal government has secured the borders and put in place systems to prevent visa violations, as well as helping employers verify that new employees are legal. This "border-security first" solution would require those now in America illegally to register with immigration officials and pass a background check. Those with a serious criminal record or who pose a national security threat would be deported. The rest would pay fines and back taxes to earn "probationary legal status." Then, they would have to wait to begin the process of applying for a green card and citizenship until after a commission of border state governors, attorneys general and community leaders declare that the border is under operational control. This process of regularization could take years, perhaps a decade. Meanwhile, these "probationary legal residents" would not be eligible for welfare, ObamaCare or other public assistance. The framework also calls for a market-driven guest worker program. Supporters say this is important not only for agriculture. It is also critical for reducing pressure at borders and making operational control easier. The bipartisan plan would also increase US competitiveness by giving a green card to foreign students graduating from American universities with a Ph.D. or master's degree in science, technology, engineering and math. The ideas behind the bipartisan plan are popular. In a recent Washington Post-ABC News poll, 83% of those surveyed support stricter border control while 55% favor a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants. Bipartisan agreement on the proposed reforms also shows how important Senator Marco Rubio can be, helping convince Senate Democrats that "border-security first" and a difficult but attainable path to citizenship are essential to achieving reform. A bipartisan House group is also at work on immigration. The presence of Democrat congressmen in the group suggests that House Democrats realize that border security is a necessary precondition for getting a bipartisan deal. But President Obama disagrees with the secure-border solution. An unnamed administration official recently told the Washington Post that Obama would not endorse a security-first proposal. The White House also says that the President favors a fast, easy path to citizenship. The President could sabotage a deal by insisting on provisions such as automatic citizenship or protections for same-sex couples that appeal to his base but make it impossible to get a bill through the Republican-controlled House. If he does this, dear readers, he would be sending the message that he is more interested in immigration as a political weapon than in solving the festering immigration problem. If President Obama would simply take a low-key position, supporting the bipartisan solution and not insisting on his own version, it could be decisive for Democrats still uneasy with the secure-border approach. He should also avoid the partisan comments he seems to enjoy making, something not easy for the fundamentally partisan President. But, if he could bring himself to put bipartisanship and compromise ahead of his naturally devisive leadership style, Congress just might prove that both parties can work together for good.