Linda Chavez: Now the debate on illegals can begin

“Now that the Senate Judiciary Committee has passed its own version of immigration reform ”” a bipartisan effort that won support from four Republicans and all eight Democrats on the panel ”” a real national debate on this important issue can begin. Last December, the GOP-controlled House passed punitive legislation that would criminalize the 12 million illegal aliens, along with anyone else who provides them with shelter, medical or other services. Both bills also promise beefed-up border security. The House version seems more likely to generate popular support among American citizens, but it is a shortsighted measure, which, if it becomes law, won’t solve the current crisis.

Our immigration mess is like a three-legged stool. Fixing one leg is no better than doing nothing. We need immigration reform that addresses all three parts of this vexing problem: increased border security; a plan to deal with the illegal aliens already here (the vast majority of whom are hard-working, tax-paying and otherwise law-abiding members of our communities); and more flexible and realistic legal immigration policies that allow us to admit more permanent residents and guest workers as our labor needs require.”

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