PenceBlog: <b><i>WSJ's</i> Fund: Pence Immigration Plan "Workable Compromise"<b> - U.S. Congressman Mike Pence : 6th District Of Indiana

In his column today, the Wall Street Journal's John Fund calls Congressman Pence's immigration proposal a "workable compromise."

Excerpts:

That's why it's good news that the glimmer of a workable compromise surfaced this week, courtesy of Rep. Mike Pence of Indiana, head of the Republican Study Committee, a group of 115 conservative House Republicans. Mr. Pence, proud grandson of an Irish immigrant, says the only bill that can pass in this year's hothouse environment may have to be one that couples stiffer border enforcement with a no-amnesty guest-worker program.

His proposal (which can be found here) would have the U.S. government contract with gold-standard private employment agencies such as Kelly Services to establish offices called Ellis Island Centers in countries that supply the most illegal alien labor today. The centers would provide an incentive for illegals to leave the country and apply for guest-worker visas in the U.S. that would be granted within a week by matching workers with jobs employers can't fill with American workers. They would also make criminal and other background checks. Guest workers would be able to apply for citizenship, but they would have to follow current rules with no favoritism over those now waiting legally in line.

***
His proposal is already building bridges between the warring immigration camps. Tamar Jacoby, a pro-immigration scholar at the Manhattan Institute, says the Pence approach is a middle ground that bypasses the cumbersome federal bureaucracy. Rep. James Sensenbrenner, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee and a fierce opponent of President Bush's approach to immigration, is also conciliatory. "A guest worker program I think can be on the table if it does not contain an amnesty," he says.

Not surprisingly, Mr. Pence's approach immediately drew fire from the extremes of the debate. Nativo Lopez, president of the Mexican American Political Association, who helped organize an economic boycott by illegal aliens earlier this month, demands "immediate legalization without conditions." He opposes any guest-worker programs, calling them an infringement on the rights of those who want to come to America.

Just as hostile was Rep. Tom Tancredo, leader of Congress's anti-immigration hard-liners. He posted an appeal to his supporters on the Web site of his political action committee to "call Pence at [his Washington office's number] and let him know that you do not support his 'no amnesty' amnesty," He says the Pence proposal is merely "dressed up amnesty."
Given the virulence of the attacks on him by both sides, perhaps Mr. Pence is on to something.

***
For all its limitations, Rep. Pence's proposal is an innovative idea that can be used as a platform on which to build upon in the future. In the current political storm, it may be a port worth seeking shelter near.

***

posted by Pence Press Office # 7:19 AM