Security - What's New - Archive

WomenMatter will continuously post updates on all this and other issues as we monitor the continuing philosophical and practical debates nationwide. Please check back often for updates. Past updates are available for reference on the Security Archives page.

The Immigration Question: How do you Answer it?

How can the United States secure its borders? What issues crosscut immigration? What does it mean to send our National Guard to the border to stop illegal crossings?

On Monday, May 15, 2006, President Bush addressed the nation and presented his answers to the immigration question.

President Bush decided to order as many as 6,000 troops to the U.S.-Mexico border in order to prevent unlawful immigration. He also reiterated his support for a plan that would give a chance at citizenship to undocumented workers already living in the United States. Not all Republicans support this plan, and not all Democrats oppose the National Guard move. For more about the guest worker plan, click here.

The immigration issue is dividing the parties in new ways and causing alliances and splits among Republicans and Democrats.

Meanwhile, Congress is hoping to deliver its own solutions to the immigration question. But because states experience illegal immigration so differently, it will be difficult for legislators to do what they are hired to do – represent their part of the country by trading votes in a compromise with others.

What about the National Guard?

Many are wondering how the National Guard will affect the immigration issue. Some wonder if it is a good idea to make more demands on the Guard, which is already needed in Iraq and is on call in case of a national emergency.

Up to 156,000 troops would be needed to keep 6,000 National Guard Soldiers at the border for two-weeks at a time over the next year. The Bush administration has not said how much this will cost, but they claim it can be funded by the $1.9 billion already allotted to border control in the fiscal 2006 emergency supplemental bill.

Despite the plan for troop deployment, the Bush administration insists it does not want to militarize the border. But Mexico’s President, Vicente Fox, is worried. Fox, an ally, wants comprehensive legislation that would create a legal flow of workers.

But many legislators believe that government must stop the illegal flow of immigrants from Mexico before it can create any sort of guest-worker plan.

Others wonder if this order-of-operations is best or should Congress and the White House create a plan that considers the many components of this problem and addresses them all at once?

What are the ideas in Congress?

A bill sponsored by Republican Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania is a prominent piece of immigration legislation in the Senate. The bill is the product of a compromise between Republicans Chuck Hagel of Nebraska and Mel Martinez of Florida. It includes both the border-security piece and the guest-worker plan in hopes of winning support from all sides.

But some Senate Republicans feel it is still too lenient on undocumented workers, who don’t deserve to become legal, they say. These legislators tried to pass an amendment sponsored by Republican Johnny Isakson that would have required the Department of Homeland Security to declare U.S. borders secure before any legalization or guest worker programs could begin.

On May 16, 2006, the Senate defeated this amendment 40-55, with eighteen Republicans voting against the amendment and seven Democrats voting for it, including Ben Nelson of Nebraska, Mary L. Landrieu of Louisiana, Ron Wyden of Oregon, Robert C. Byrd of West Virginia, North Dakotans Kent Conrad and Byron L. Dorgan, and Debbie Stabenow of Michigan.

These Senators face tough re-election races in states where workers worry about losing their jobs to undocumented immigrants. They want to show voters that they understand their concerns.

But different states produce different concerns. Some states have deeply-entrenched Mexican-American communities that prefer a guest worker program to arresting illegal workers. While states with a lot of lower-wage factory workers want a tougher policy that would protect citizens’ jobs.

The Kennedy amendment

On May 18, 2006, the Senate reversed a decision it made only the night before, deciding to adopt, 56-43, an amendment by Democrat Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts that allows temporary workers to petition for green cards without the active cooperation of their employer.

Incredible foresight

The immigration question illustrates how the system works. By bringing together representatives from every state, the framers of the Constitution required a compromise that would suit the majority.

Complex issues like immigration promise a long fight, and as many legislators choose to represent their constituents before their party, we see the importance of electing a representative who truly represents us.

How do your representatives answer the immigration question? Do you feel represented? Which points of view are not represented in the immigration debate? What would you add?

Your input matters

Your representatives DO care what you think. Especially now -- 2006 is an election year and many representatives will be looking to reconnect with their constituents. Let your congressmen and women know what you think! Give your senators a piece of your mind! To find your reps, click here.

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Update Posted on: 5/19/2006