Marietta Daily Journal
January 22, 2007

Isakson's illegals bill seems promising
By Don McKee

U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson wants to pull the trigger on illegal immigration reform.

He has the plan, a simple little bill he introduced last week. The plan looks like the best shot at fixing the problems short of trying to deport 12 million to 20 million illegal immigrants.

The first step is "to secure the U.S. borders," the senator insists. That's why his bill prohibits implementing any guest worker program, he said, "until the Department of Homeland Security certifies to the president and to the Congress that the border security provisions in the immigration legislation are fully funded and operational."

Isakson's bill would substantially increase border security manpower, detention facilities for illegals, border barriers, surveillance and identification.

The plan calls for 14,000 more full-time Border Patrol agents, 2,500 new port of entry inspectors and 250 more deputy federal marshals; 20,000 more detention beds for illegals in order to stop the totally unacceptable "catch and release" practice; and additional fences, underground sensors and other barriers along the border.

Isakson also proposes a major outlay for high-tech surveillance equipment - $450 million for "a squadron of unmanned aerial vehicles" employing sensors linked to satellites for round-the-clock coverage of the border. That alone should assure passage of the bill if the Senate and House are serious about the matter.

Finally, Isakson's plan would set up "a biometric secure identification card program," enabling employers to verify the legal or illegal status of an immigrant.

In introducing the bill last week, Isakson told his Senate colleagues he believed the measure "is the bridge from where we are to where we must go." He said he was "ready to work with any senator on comprehensive immigration reform as long as securing the borders is the foundation of that reform."

Once the border security provisions have been implemented, then Isakson proposes the following program to deal with illegal immigrants in the United States:

They would have one year to come forward and identify themselves. They would have to clear the terrorist watch list and criminal background investigation, and provide proof of employment by the individual or head of household.

Those persons clearing the hurdles would be issued a two-year temporary work permit, "renewable as long as they remain law-abiding, remain employed and complete within those first two years an approved assimilation program that incudes English and civics lessons."

As for citizenship, immigrants would have to pursue it through normal channels, no special deals.

This appears to be a reasonable and workable plan.

What are its chances of passage?

Isakson believes his border-security-first idea has gained support since last May when his amendment requiring the trigger for a guest worker program lost 40-55.

A member of Isakson's staff pointed out that, after the senator's Senate speech last week, a colleague took the floor in support and said he believed the Isakson plan would attract 85 to 90 votes.

Now that would really be pulling the trigger on immigration reform.