I wasn't going to write a weekly report this week as there hasn't been much happening.  My Oatman bill is still stalled in the Senate; House and Senate leadership is talking about the budget differences (but there's been no update on what, if any, progress is being made); and we're taking a day off because there's so little going on!

However, my office has been getting many phone calls regarding the current illegal immigration bill and Sen. Kyl's part in drafting it so I thought the best way to handle answering those questions would be through a statement on the website.

I have long been a supporter of Sen. Kyl.  In fact, I have often said I have only one senator because I don't believe John McCain represents many of my views.  But on this issue, I cannot continue that support. 

There is an "issues and answers" column on immigration that was written last year, and is still available for review (click here to read).  I have always stated that the first step in any process must be securing the border to stop the flow of illegals.  One of the biggest failures of the 1986 amnesty was that we were promised border security that never materialized.  That, I believe, is why there is so much angst against the current proposal -- no one believes that the border measures contained in it will be implemented.  Thus, we'll have legalization and a continued inflow of those who hope to become legal in the next go around.

I do believe we need to know who is in our country and why they are here.  Once we have a secure border, I could support some sort of registration process wherein those illegals here now and working could come forward and receive a temporary work permit.  After a short period of time to allow for the process, anyone found not to be here legally or not registered would be immediately deported -- no other questions asked.  Once registered, a background check would be done and for those who have no criminal record, a more permanent work permit would be issued.  But there would be no "path to citizenship" and no additional family members would be permitted to enter.  If any of those workers truly desired American citizenship, they should return to their country of origin and get in line.

I have no faith that the other provisions will be taken any more seriously than the border security portions.  That is, the penalties and fines will be waived, the point system will be disregarded in favor of family reunification, and things will go on as they have for the past 20 years.  I take no delight in doubting Congress or Sen. Kyl in particular.  I believe he believes he is acting in the best interests of Arizona.  But I also believe he puts too much reliance of the will of our federal legislators to be certain that whatever is passed is carried out to the last detail.

The other question that must be addressed is that of the "anchor babies."  No one born in the US to illegal aliens should automatically become an American citizen.  That is not the intent of the 14th Amendment, and discussion at the time of its enactment clearly show that, but there is no mention of this aspect in the current bill and there will not be anytime soon. 

So, while some are saying that this is the best we can get and we need to "do something" on immigration, I disagree.  Anything that has Ted Kennedy's fingerprints on it cannot be the best we can get.  And I fault the Republicans who controlled both houses of Congress and the Presidency for six years and failed to act.  Now they're letting the Democrats call the shots, giving us another unworkable amnesty and opening the floodgates once again to an unsustainable influx of people who in another 20 years will be screaming for legalization.

Until next week,

Nancy McLain

Nancy McLain
nmclain@azleg.gov or
nmclainbhc@aol.com