Editorial: Same old debate

Thursday, April 12, 2007 | 7:29 a.m.

This week President Bush once again called for tightened border controls and a guest-worker program that could give people living here illegally a path to citizenship.

Bush, whose approval ratings are near rock-bottom, is hopeful that his immigration proposal will be more amenable to Congress now that it is controlled by Democrats, who are less likely than some conservative Republicans to scuttle the measure because of its potential for granting citizenship.

Bush's proposal has four major components: tighter border security; better enforcement of immigration laws, such as the one that makes it illegal to hire undocumented workers; a temporary worker program; and a process in which undocumented workers who already are in the United States can apply for three-year work visas. These visas could be renewed indefinitely and would cost $3,500 for each renewal. Workers who want to become permanent residents would have to return to their home countries, pay a $10,000 fine and apply for reentry.

A House proposal, from Reps. Luis Gutierrez, D-Ill., and Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., allows undocumented residents a path to legal status that has far lower fees and gives people six years to establish work, remain crime-free and learn English. But it also calls for people to briefly return to their home countries before being eligible for permanent status. That provision has so many exceptions - including allowing workers to avoid going back if it means they would lose their jobs - it is clear that the policy is being included only for show.

We support strict border controls and enforcing laws to prevent illegal hiring practices by U.S. companies - arrangements under which undocumented workers often earn low pay and endure poor working conditions. But when faced with losing their jobs and families or trying to obtain legal status, the reality is most undocumented workers simply would continue to stay underground and live here illegally.

Forcing people to leave after they have established lives here wouldn't accomplish anything except separating families and destroying livelihoods and stable homes. Instead of punishing undocumented workers who haven't harmed anyone, the president and Congress should create an opportunity for them to stay.