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Arizona
lawmakers get more support for guest-worker bill 2003-12-08 The Arizona Republic Sergio
Bustos
The runners from the Asociacion Tepeyac of New York presented Rep. Jim Kolbe, R-Tucson, and Rep. Jeff Flake, R-Mesa, a petition containing more than 2,000 signatures urging Congress to approve the Border Security and Immigration Improvement Act. The bill would create a nationwide guest-worker program and would offer scores of undocumented immigrants the chance to become legal residents. The group is trying to call attention to immigrant rights as part of a 60-day pilgrimage that began Oct. 12 in Mexico City and ends in New York City on Dec. 12. The runners, carrying a torch between the two countries, are making stops in nine Mexican cities and 36 U.S. cities along the way. Lawmakers are banking on this kind of grass-roots support to boost their bill's prospects. But the measure has a long way to go before becoming law. Many Republicans, especially in the House, oppose any legislation that would reward those who broke the law to enter the country. The House version has just five co-sponsors. The Senate version, sponsored by Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., has only one co-sponsor - GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina. The bill was introduced in both chambers in July. A Senate hearing to review the legislation is scheduled for Feb. 5, but passage appears unlikely next year, said Kolbe. "Next year is a year to build support, but I don't expect legislative action," he said. Joel Magallan, executive director of the Asociacion Tepeyac of New York, said the bill's passage is long overdue. "We need a new immigration law
that brings dignity to not only immigrants in the United States but
their families who live abroad," Magallan said. |
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