Advocates say immigration bill a good start but in need of amending

Published: 2007-05-18

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- An immigration reform bill worked out among Senate and White House negotiators would give the vast majority of the nation's illegal immigrants a chance to legalize their status, but also would completely restructure the system for legal immigration. The negotiated bill announced by a bipartisan group of senators May 17 and quickly endorsed by President George W. Bush includes some unexpectedly generous provisions as well as elements that backers of a comprehensive reform approach said might be unworkable. Kevin Appleby, director of migration and refugee policy for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, said May 18 that the "imperfect bill" was a workable starting point, but that the church would be pushing for amendments on the floor to fix what he considers problems with its provisions for temporary workers and family immigration, among others. The Senate was to begin debate on the bill late May 21.

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