Immigration Bill Brings Out 'Best,' 'Worst' of America

New Republic warns 'draconian' measures will follow if compromise fails

By Jonas Oransky, Newser Staff

Posted Jun 15, 2007 2:22 PM CDT

(Newser) – Calling the immigration bill currently fighting its way through the Senate "the best that liberals are likely to get," the New Republic's editors tepidly endorsed the legislation that would bring 12M laborers closer to US citizenship even as they condemned the implications of the bill's proposed guest-worker program.

Insisting that it’s time to act on immigration lest "nativism" grow in coming years, the center-left editors nonetheless deliver a stinging rebuke of the guest-worker proposal, which would bring foreign workers into the US without any path to permanent residence. Though the ultimate compromise is worthwhile, it comes at the cost of a program that, they write forcefully, follows the "unsavory tradition of the African slave ship, the Chinese coolie, and the Mexican bracero."

Donna Newnan protests an immigration bill and shows her displeasure with Sen. Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., near Chambliss' office in Smyrna, Ga, Thursday June 7, 2007. Chambliss just as he gears up for a... (Associated Press)

Day laborers, who identified themselves as illegal immigrants looking for work, gather around a potential employer that stopped to hire workers at a street corner where illegal immigrants gather in Dallas,... (Associated Press)

Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., listens as President Bush, not pictured, speaks about immigration reform at the National Hispanic Prayer Breakfast in Washington, Friday, June 15, 2007. (AP Photo/Charles... (Associated Press)

President Bush speaks about immigration reform during an address at the National Hispanic Prayer Breakfast in Washington, Friday, June 15, 2007. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak) (Associated Press)

Abdeloihab Boujrad holds a photo of his son, Ahmedyassine Boujrad, during in an interview on Tuesday, June 12, 2007 in Herndon, Va. For more than two years Boujrad, a U.S. citizen, has fought unsuccessfully... (Associated Press)

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Immigration Bill Brings Out 'Best,' 'Worst' of America

New Republic warns 'draconian' measures will follow if compromise fails

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For Illegals, No More Mr. Nice Border Patrol

'Consequence delivery system' won't just turn border crossers around

France Toughens Citizenship Gauntlet

Now citizens must pass test of language, 'values'

Hire Local? Farmers Who Seek US Workers Hit Hard

Even with high unemployment, Americans walk off too-hard job

Alabama Enacts Harshest Illegal Immigration Law Yet

Arizona, eat your heart out

US Court Upholds Block on Ariz. Immigration Law

Backs lower court that staved off key parts

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Immigration Bill Brings Out 'Best,' 'Worst' of America

New Republic warns 'draconian' measures will follow if compromise fails

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

immigration • illegal immigrant • immigration reform • citizenship • legislation • reform • guest worker

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

For Illegals, No More Mr. Nice Border Patrol

'Consequence delivery system' won't just turn border crossers around

France Toughens Citizenship Gauntlet

Now citizens must pass test of language, 'values'

Hire Local? Farmers Who Seek US Workers Hit Hard

Even with high unemployment, Americans walk off too-hard job

Alabama Enacts Harshest Illegal Immigration Law Yet

Arizona, eat your heart out

US Court Upholds Block on Ariz. Immigration Law

Backs lower court that staved off key parts

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

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What is Newser?