Editorial: Failure in the Senate

2007-07-02

Source: Charlotte Observer

Many North Carolinians agree with Sen. Elizabeth Dole's opposition to offering illegal immigrants a path to lawful status. Just as many agree the nation needs greater proof the Mexican border will be made secure.

Yet Sen. Dole did not act in the state's interest when she led the conservative opposition that helped kill a decent overhaul of the nation's broken immigration system. Sen. Dole, along with Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C., and Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C., let down their Carolinas constituents when they helped slam the door on that legislation in the U.S. Senate.

The bill wasn't perfect. But it would have ended the chaotic status quo -- a welcome step for the Carolinas, where as many as 400,000 illegal immigrants live.

Those three senators took a disappointing hard line on lawful status and border security, issues that called for practical compromise, not rigid ideology. Contrast that to the leadership shown by Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., who offered crucial amendments that provided funding for border security and middle ground on guest worker wages.

Opponents such as Sen. Dole stirred up deep emotions by calling the bill's path to citizenship for illegal immigrants "amnesty." But it was not. The provision required fines, fees and other steps before offering any hope of citizenship -- a fair, realistic approach.

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Immigration is a federal issue, yet its effects are felt locally. That means this bill's demise is a hollow victory for opponents such as Sen. Dole. Making life harder for the communities you represent is nothing to brag about.

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