More on the Politics of Immigration Reform

After years of stalemate and partisan divide over immigration, supporters of a major overhaul yesterday said they have hopes that this could be the year that Congress finally passes comprehensive legislation.

Yet while prospects are buoyed by the shift in control of the House and Senate today from Republicans to Democrats, and the support of President George W. Bush, the supporters say potential pitfalls lie ahead and there is a relatively small window of opportunity.

“We have the best chance we’ve had in the seven years that I’ve been working on this issue,” said John Gay, co-chairman of the business-backed Essential Worker Immigration Coalition.

“I still put the odds of success at just a little better than 50-50. Some of the barriers have been cleared, but new barriers are going to come up,” he said. “It’s a complicated issue. We don’t know how Democrats are going to act in the majority, and we don’t know how Republicans are going to act in the minority.” Click here.

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