Congress May Yet Move on Immigration

US legislators are polarized over immigration reform, but they also recognize that voters on both sides – those who welcome hardworking illegal immigrants who otherwise don’t break laws versus those who want to deport all illegals – are passionate about the issue. Voters question the ability of Congress to act on an obvious and glaring problem, with more than 12 million illegal aliens in the US. Immigration is emerging as a major issue in many local elections. Every seat in the US House of Representatives is up for grabs in November, and so a compromise could still be possible. Both sides must come to agreement on improving workplace and border enforcement, the ethics of any guest-worker program and security checks on increased numbers of visas. Congress could take action this fall, following hearings throughout the summer. Candidates, particularly in California, Arizona, and other border states, are especially sensitive. Inaction carries costs, and demand for some version of reform comes from all directions, including businesses, immigrants and neighborhoods. – YaleGlobal