The search for immigration reform legislation that would correct the U.S. immigration system – in the opinion of many, it has been "a failure" for years – continues to be a delicate matter. As the Senate begins debate, the fate of 12 million undocumented immigrants is at stake.
On March 9, Senator Bob Menéndez (D-NJ) spoke with El Diario La Prensa about immigration reform and his support of Senator John McCain’s (R-AZ) proposal, which he believes is “complete,” because it grants undocumented immigrants the opportunity to get U.S. residency, reinforces the nation's security and "reflects the country's present economic reality."
"I believe we need a tough, intelligent and complete immigration reform," Menéndez declared. "This country ought to find a way to deal with the problem of illegal immigration, but it must be done in a sensitive and humane way."
For a week now, the Senate Judiciary Committee has been debating several proposals that would set up the steps toward immigration reform, keeping in mind that President George W. Bush has made it clear that any changes must include a program of six-month guest workers.
It was not until March 8 that Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY) took a clear position on immigration reform, attacking the Republicans for trying to persecute undocumented immigrants, by creating a "police state."
Clinton, senator of the state with the fourth-largest number of undocumented immigrants, according to statistics compiled by the Pew Hispanic Center, criticized House Bill HR 4437 proposed by Representatives James Sensenbrenner (R-WI) and Peter King (R-NY).
This proposal, approved by the House of Representatives and the basis for the Senate debate, would criminalize the undocumented immigrants in the country, as well as those who assist them, and would seek to build a wall more than 700 miles long along the Mexican border.
"Let us not turn our backs on those who have made this a powerful country," said the senator and possible 2008 presidential candidate.
New York's other senator, Charles Schumer, also took a position on immigration reform. A press release from his office states: "Senator Schumer has long supported just and balanced immigration reform," said Risa B. Heller, Schumer’s press secretary. "The Senator is vehemently opposed to Sensenbrenner's bill. And he hopes to work on legislation that secures our borders, provides a path to citizenship, and rationalizes the flow of legal immigration that is vital for our city, our economy and the nation."
Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) could not be reached for comment.
It is estimated that more than 350,000 undocumented immigrants live in New Jersey, making it the state with the seventh largest concentration of undocumented immigrants.
