Chicago Sun-Times (Editorial): When gridlock keeps you from moving forward, be careful not to slip back.
The Obama administration acknowledged that reality last week when officials began training immigration agents in a new policy to stop deporting as many illegal immigrants who have no criminal records.
The philosophy behind President Barack Obama's earlier ramping up of deportations was to demonstrate that current laws are being enforced, creating a climate leading to reform of immigration laws. The administration has deported nearly 400,000 people each year for the past three years.
But have you heard about much progress on comprehensive immigration reform in Washington? Neither have we.
Congress hasn't even been able to pass the Dream Act, which would give legal status to young people who have lived in the country for years if they join the military or go to college.
So why are we tearing apart families to deport individuals who have broken no laws other than the immigration regulations themselves? Why are thousands of people being held in prisonlike conditions, awaiting deportation hearings in a system that has a backlog of 300,000 cases? Why not devise a system that encourages legal instead of illegal immigration?
The new program, which will be tested in Baltimore and Denver starting next month and expanded next year, could put deportations on hold for elderly immigrants, military service members, children who have been here at least five years and others. The Department of Homeland Security has set a goal of speeding up deportations for convicted criminals -- an excellent plan -- while halting those for people with no criminal record.
Of those deported in the most recent fiscal year, almost 55 percent had criminal records. The totals include people caught illegally crossing the border.
Why is Obama doing this now? For the political payoff, in part, as he heads into the 2012 election. He needs all the Latino votes he can get. But it's also good public policy, even if some Republicans are calling it "backdoor amnesty."
Around the nation, any number of signs indicate immigration laws aren't working and reform is needed.
According to the Georgia Restaurant Association, some restaurants in that state are losing $21,000 a month due to a stricter new immigration law.
Apple growers in the State of Washington say they could have had one of their best years ever if immigration crackdowns by the federal government and such states as Arizona and Alabama hadn't scared off so many workers that fruit was left on the trees.
In Alabama, some Republicans who voted for that state's widely criticized new immigration law are considering changes. Since the law, considered the strictest in the nation, went into effect in September, Alabama farmers and poultry plant operators have complained about labor shortages. The federal government has sued over the law and also has filed suits in Arizona and South Carolina.
Shifting the emphasis in deportations to criminals is the right move. But it's not enough.
The United States still sorely needs comprehensive immigration reform.
The Obama administration acknowledged that reality last week when officials began training immigration agents in a new policy to stop deporting as many illegal immigrants who have no criminal records.
The philosophy behind President Barack Obama's earlier ramping up of deportations was to demonstrate that current laws are being enforced, creating a climate leading to reform of immigration laws. The administration has deported nearly 400,000 people each year for the past three years.
But have you heard about much progress on comprehensive immigration reform in Washington? Neither have we.
Congress hasn't even been able to pass the Dream Act, which would give legal status to young people who have lived in the country for years if they join the military or go to college.
So why are we tearing apart families to deport individuals who have broken no laws other than the immigration regulations themselves? Why are thousands of people being held in prisonlike conditions, awaiting deportation hearings in a system that has a backlog of 300,000 cases? Why not devise a system that encourages legal instead of illegal immigration?
The new program, which will be tested in Baltimore and Denver starting next month and expanded next year, could put deportations on hold for elderly immigrants, military service members, children who have been here at least five years and others. The Department of Homeland Security has set a goal of speeding up deportations for convicted criminals -- an excellent plan -- while halting those for people with no criminal record.
Of those deported in the most recent fiscal year, almost 55 percent had criminal records. The totals include people caught illegally crossing the border.
Why is Obama doing this now? For the political payoff, in part, as he heads into the 2012 election. He needs all the Latino votes he can get. But it's also good public policy, even if some Republicans are calling it "backdoor amnesty."
Around the nation, any number of signs indicate immigration laws aren't working and reform is needed.
According to the Georgia Restaurant Association, some restaurants in that state are losing $21,000 a month due to a stricter new immigration law.
Apple growers in the State of Washington say they could have had one of their best years ever if immigration crackdowns by the federal government and such states as Arizona and Alabama hadn't scared off so many workers that fruit was left on the trees.
In Alabama, some Republicans who voted for that state's widely criticized new immigration law are considering changes. Since the law, considered the strictest in the nation, went into effect in September, Alabama farmers and poultry plant operators have complained about labor shortages. The federal government has sued over the law and also has filed suits in Arizona and South Carolina.
Shifting the emphasis in deportations to criminals is the right move. But it's not enough.
The United States still sorely needs comprehensive immigration reform.
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