Mickey Kaus outlines an alternative immigration reform plan, less ambitious than the “Gang of 8” plan but possibly more likely to pass:
Immigration reform doesn’t have to be all or nothing. The obvious mini-deal, that would give something (but not everything) to several important constituencies would involve a) mandating the “E-Verify†system for checking new employees for their immigration status b) in exchange for formalization of the “DREAM Act†mini-amnesty for immigrants brought into the country as minors and c) some measured liberalization of high-tech and agricultural visas to please business interests.
People that wouldn’t satisfy at all:
- Democrats who want a club to beat over the heads of Republicans.
- Republican Know Nothings who want to end immigration full stop.
- Activists for whom nothing less than amnesty now with potential citizenship later is acceptable.
I’ve already expressed my views on immigrations reform. Legislate in haste, repent at leisure.
