Immigration Reform

Immigration reform has been the hot topic in politics in the last two weeks. and Chuck Hagel has been right in the middle of it.

Yesterday a compromise bill was put forward in the Senate by Chuck Hagel and Mel Martinez (R-FL) that looked like it had enough support to pass (and it has the best chance of any bill in the Senate on the issue) that calls for tighter border security and enforcement, but also provides a path to legal status for many of the undocumented aliens now in the U.S. The legislation has been praised by President Bush.

Senator Hagel sent a letter to his supporters recently and his is what he said about immigration reform:

“America cannot continue to defer making tough choices about its immigration policy. It is not in our national security interests to have 12 million undocumented individuals living inside our borders. Last year, after meeting with many Nebraska law enforcement officials, community leaders, business owners and immigration lawyers, I re-introduced a comprehensive package of immigration reform bills. My legislation will enhance America’s national security, protect our workforce, and bring accountability to those living in America illegally. This month, as the Senate begins work on legislation to provide comprehensive immigration reform, I plan to be a part of that debate with my legislation.”

Technorati tags: Chuck Hagel, Immigration, Immigration Reform