Immigration reform’s new hurdle
Last week's compromise on immigration reform remains tenuous as critics attack it as too easy on illegals from one side, unfair to them from the other. But the deal stands its first test on Capitol Hill today, John Dimsdale reports.
TEXT OF STORYLISA NAPOLI: The Senate begins debate on comprehensive immigration reform today. Despite a hard-won compromise reached last week, congressional approval is far from a sure thing. From Washington, John Dimsdale reports.
JOHN DIMSDALE: Under the proposal, undocumented immigrants would get more preference points for job skills over family ties. The Brookings Institution’s Audrey Singer says that’s a big change.
AUDREY SINGER: By prioritizing skills and de-prioritizing family, we’re moving away from what we’ve stood for, for a long time.
The compromise is under attack from lawmakers on the right who think the proposal is too easy on illegal immigrants and from the left who think the lengthy path to citizenship will only encourage more illegal behavior.
California Democrat Diane Feinstein, who helped craft the deal, acknowledges it won’t make everyone happy.
DIANE FEINSTEIN: To the American people I’d like to say ‘please, please, please don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good.’
In today’s first test, at least 60 Senators will have to vote to bring the compromise up for debate.
In Washington, I’m John Dimsdale for Marketplace.