Bush must lead immigration reform

President Bush was in Mexico last week meeting with President Fox on immigration reform.?Meanwhile, members of Congress took to the floor and demonstrators took to the streets on this same issue.

Illegal immigration has become a hydra-headed monster in the United States in recent years.?The numbers alone boggle the mind.

Some 11 to 12 million illegal immigrants are now in the United States.?Of that number, some 60 percent are from Mexico.? This influx of illegal immigrants poses many thorny problems, for the president, for Congress, and for our country.

Problems, real and perceived, regarding illegal immigration run the gamut: from concerns about border security, to the social, political and economic impact of vast numbers of illegal immigrants entering the country.

Emotions run high regarding what to do about these problems.?Proposed legislation reflects these emotions.?President Bush clearly favors some form of immigration reform that includes a guest worker program, but not amnesty, for the millions of illegal immigrants now in the country.?

Conversely, Congress is deeply divided over whether to take more punitive measures to stem the flow of illegal immigration.?Some in Congress want to make illegal immigration a felony.?The problem with this approach, it seems to me, is what then??

Do we deport millions of illegal immigrants, mostly back to Mexico??Or, do we incarcerate them for their crimes??Either measure seems extreme and impractical.?Both beg further questions.?If we deport illegal immigrants, what about their children, born on American soil, and therefore, American citizens??Do we deport them, too??If we throw illegal immigrants into prison, who takes care of their children?

The current controversy over illegal immigration differs only in degree from our long-standing, love-hate relationship with immigrants. We are a nation of immigrants.?For nearly 400 years, immigrants have been drawn to these shores by the promise of a better life.?Despite daunting challenges, they have seen that promise largely fulfilled.?Along the way, they have made invaluable contributions to the rich culture and history of the United States.

Still, every wave of immigration to this country has created a counter-wave of nativism. Immigrants, legal and illegal, have been seen by some as a threat to the fabric of our society.?

American history is replete with examples of anti-immigrant thoughts and deeds.?However, as these immigrants proved their worth, and their loyalty to this country, by hard work, persistence and patriotism, they were gradually assimilated into the mainstream of American culture.

We now have an opportunity of historic proportions to resolve the current controversy over illegal immigration.?Congress and the country are divided.?President Bush could become the uniter he has longed promised to be.?Ineligible for reelection, unlike all the House and roughly one-third of the Senate, the president could be the honest broker for a lasting solution to the vexing problems of illegal immigration.?

These problems didn?t occur overnight and they won?t be solved overnight, but some visionary leadership by the president would be a very good start.?

Thomas B.Vaughn is a professor at Motlow College and co-host of ?Viewpoints,? a radio show broadcast on 91.3 FM, WCPI.