Arizona Interfaith Network

Migrant bill means amnesty - for politicos

E.J. Montini
Arizona Republic columnist
May. 24, 2007 12:00 AM

Earlier this week, Dick White, the vice president of Valley Interfaith Project, sent out a notice urging the rest of us to call the offices of Arizona Sens. John McCain and Jon Kyl in order to thank them for their support of the Senate's immigration proposal and to encourage them to "stay the course."

But after listening to critics of the bill and seeing footage of demonstrators outside Kyl's office, White isn't sure that was necessary.

"How many people were at his office? Twenty?" he said. "Kyl is a very sophisticated politician. I believe that he and many others have come to realize that doing something about the immigration problem is absolutely vital. Not just to the country, but to them." advertisement

In other words, the critics might be correct. The immigration debate comes down to amnesty. Not for illegal aliens, but for politicians.

"Hopefully, we'll get past the mentality that says close the border and get rid of them (illegal aliens) and nothing else is acceptable," White said. "First, you'd do serious damage to the economy. And it's not possible anyway. Luckily, business has begun to step forward and express the need to do something. Crafting this legislation has to happen for our national security and for our economic security."

White's organization is one of many that for years have called for immigration reform. In order for that to occur, however, they all know that we're going to have to deal with the A-word.

"It's amnesty, pure and simple," said one of the senators hoping to kill the bill, dismissing the proposal's fines, its requirement to go to the back of the line for citizenship and other provisions.

For some critics, the argument is simple: "What part of illegal don't you understand?"

How about the inconsistent part? In everyday life in Arizona there are examples of something awfully close to amnesty that no one complains about.

Late last year, for instance, more than 1,300 criminal suspects turned themselves in to a church under what was called the Fugitive Safe Surrender program.

All were subjects of criminal warrants that ranged from drug charges to burglaries to assaults. And while authorities claimed that the program was not "amnesty," the fugitives were promised "favorable consideration," which included things like release without bail and leniency at sentencing.

Even the Internal Revenue Service has a program called Offers in Compromise in which those who haven't paid taxes can work out a deal to get a break on interest and penalties.

Some things we do because they're practical. Following a what-part-of-illegal-don't-you-understand approach in the previous two cases only would have caused the suspects remain on the lam and the taxes go unpaid.

"There's a lot to dislike about the Senate proposal on both sides," said White, who calls Arizona "ground zero" on immigration.

He added, "No one is happy with all of the provisions. But politics really is the art of compromise. We've got to be able to approach this in a comprehensive fashion or we will repeat the mistakes in the past. We're in a better position at least having a discussion. Hopefully, elected officials have gotten the message from voters and will get something done."

Doing so may well be our politicians' way of seeking amnesty for themselves. If recent Arizona elections have shown anything, it is that a politician who spends his time insulting the opposition and avoiding compromise will have a very successful career. As a radio host.

Reach Montini at (602) 444-8978. Read his blog at montiniblog.azcentral.com.

Other media generated by leaders and clergy from Arizona Interfaith Network organizations:

If we fix broken immigration system, we fix families
Dick White, (VIP Leader), Op-ed, East Valley Tribune, 5-23-07

Report on U.S. Senate Immigration Debate
Tony Paniagua, Arizona Illustrated, KUAT-TV, 5-23-07 (Interview with PCIC Leader Melanie Nelson)

Border compromise no hit with state GOP officials
Paul Giblin, East Valley Tribune, 5-22-07 (Quotes VIP Leader Dick White)

Immigrant issue has human face Msgr. Richard O'Keeffe, (Yuma County Interfaith Clergy), Op-ed, Yuma Sun, 5-10-07