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WASHINGTON - Three U.S. congressmen from Arizona have proposed a bill that would seek a new guest-worker program that would allow a way for foreign workers to apply for residency.
The bill, which was unveiled Thursday, received immediate rejection by another congressman from Arizona, who called the proposal "a transparent path to amnesty."
U.S. Rep. Jim Kolbe, whose district includes Cochise County and who is a backing the bill - The Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act - denies the proposal is blanket amnesty for illegal immigrants.
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The bill has bipartisan support in both congressional chambers, Kolbe said. Rep. Jeff Flake and Sen. John McCain, both Republicans from Arizona, support the measure, as does Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass, and U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez, D-Ill.
"It is helpful to have someone of Senator Kennedy's stature onboard," Kolbe said, adding the senator is an expert on immigration matters.
The bill would set up two visas for foreigners wanting to work in the United States.
Both visas would lead to individuals being able to seek permanent residency in the country.
For a $500 processing fee, people can apply for a temporary visa and get in line for a job in the United States, with an estimated 400,000 per year being approved. Those with visas can apply for residency after four years.
Kolbe said this visa program is a penalty for being in the country illegally
Foreigners would have to pay $2,000 - but not all at once - and receive another visa allowing them to remain in the nation without returning to their home nation and after six years they can apply for residency, Kolbe said. To receive this visa, a foreign worker also would have to meet requirements for English.
The legislation also would double fines against companies that violate immigration. It also gives the U.S. Department of Labor expanded authority to conduct random audits of employers to ensure compliance with those laws.
U.S. Rep. J.D. Hayworth, R-Ariz., calls the proposal a reward for illegal immigrants.
Hayworth believes the bill will encourage a new wave of illegal immigrants invading the United States. If approved, the bill will "make America's uncontrolled and unacceptable immigration debacle even worse than it is now," he said.
Kolbe mildly chastised his fellow Arizonan, saying it was unfortunate Hayworth did not read the proposed bill before he made his comments.
Both men disagree on how to address the continuing problem of illegal immigration.
Kolbe calls for a fresh look and new ideas.
During a telephone conference Thursday, he said the immigration problem along the nation's southern border is bleeding.
"This is a comprehensive bill that doesn't try to solve the hemorrhaging immigration problem with a Band-Aid. This bill is major surgery," he said.
Saying the major entry point for illegal immigration is Arizona, the congressman said he will not stand by and "let southern Arizona be the doormat for this country's failed immigration policy."
The failed policy concerning border issues is something Kolbe and Hayworth agree on.
However, Hayworth said what has to be done first is to secure the border, not make a new law.
"Until the federal government is willing to enforce the immigration laws that are already on the books, Americans and most members of Congress will be highly skeptical of any additional promises to enforce a new and deeply flawed approach," he said.
Flake said other legislative proposals which would require that people here legally first go home before applying for legal status are "unrealistic."
"A large percentage of those who are here now have kids who are citizens," he said.
Kolbe said the proposed legislation will punish illegal immigrants in the country because they have broken the laws. Those who do not turn themselves in and pay a fine, if found, will be deported, he added.
The Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act establishes procedures to ensure identification documents are secure.
"It creates a new work authorization that is relatively foolproof to fraud and counterfeiting," Kolbe said.
It is unknown whether or not the bill will make it through this session of Congress.
President George W. Bush's agenda has many items, including Social Security reform, he noted.
Kolbe said he was at the White House this week and the president pulled him aside to ask about the proposal.
"He's very concerned," Kolbe said about the president and the nation's immigration imbroglio.
Randy Graf, who is getting ready to run against Kolbe in 2006, said the proposed bill will not secure the border.
"In spite of rhetoric, the bill does nothing to secure our border," said Graf, who lost to Kolbe in the 2004 Republican primary. "This is nothing more than a high-profile smoke-and-mirrors hoax."
Graf said the proposed legislation is deceptive and American taxpayers will be stuck with the bill as illegal immigration continues unabated.
"It appears this bill does not stop illegal immigration, it only subsidizes it," he said.
While Kolbe and the other bill supporters have their critics, they have supporters.
A spokeswoman for the American Immigration Lawyers Association commended those who are planning to introduce the legislation in the Senate and House of Representatives.
'"The Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act reflects the following important facts: the federal government must step up to the plat and reform our current immigration laws; that this nation cannot have border security unless we undertake such reform; that fixing our immigration system to make it safe, legal and orderly will make us more secure; we need a controlled immigration system that would replace an illegal flow with legal immigration flow; and finally, we need an immigration system that is consistent with the basic American values of fairness and equal treatment under the law," said Jeanne Butterfield, the executive director of the association.
The concept also has the preliminary blessing of Gov. Janet Napolitano. Press aide Jeanine L'Ecuyer said the governor likes the concepts.
"All of this is encouraging," L'Ecuyer said. "It's a move - and we haven't seen much movement before now."
The Arizona Interfaith Network, a coalition of churches and religious activists, also praised the federal legislation. Dick White, president of the organization, particularly praised provisions that provide more visas to reunite families now separated by the border.
And the Arizona Catholic Conference, which represents the bishops of the Tucson, Phoenix and Gallup, N.M. dioceses, also gave its endorsement.
"We can no longer accept a status quo which leads to the exploitation and death of migrants," a statement from the bishops reads. They said this measure is a "refreshing departure from punitive and restrictive proposals recently introduced in Congress."
Kolbe said the nation is at an important immigration threshold.
"We can either work hard to secure our borders through common sense reform of our immigration system, or hang on to unrealistic ideals that will never improve the safety of our country," he said.
SENIOR REPORTER Bill Hess can be reached at 515-4615. Howard Fischer of Capital Media Services contributed to this report.
nicole ray wrote on Jun 21, 2009 3:35 PM: