Immigration reform can’t wait

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

— Although President Obama promises to make immigration reform an urgent priority in his second term, other issues are taking center stage in Washington, including the debt ceiling, gun control and a host of new Cabinet appointments that some Republicans are vowing to oppose.

The legislative and political calendar is already becoming crowded. Unless reform advocates are prepared to insist that an overhaul of immigration must be at the top of the agenda for the president and Congress, fixing the system may be sidetracked once again by diehard opponents and the need to deal with other pressing issues.

The new debate should go beyond enforcement and the laudable but piecemeal attempts by Mr. Obama to tinker with the system, including his unilateral declaration of a new work permit policy that came in the middle of the presidential campaign. What is needed is a comprehensive approach that includes a practical and orderly path for legalization that can benefit some of the 11 million undocumented people living here.

Mr. Obama has made it clear that he understands his debt to the Hispanic community, whose votes helped him win re-election and who by and large want to see significant changes in the way this country deals with immigration.

Some Republicans get it, too. But that doesn’t guarantee a victory for immigration reform.

Advocates have momentum coming out of the election, but support from the White House and some parts of Capitol Hill won’t last unless supporters make it clear that they aren’t willing to wait like they did during Mr. Obama’s first term, when immigration was overshadowed by the economy, healthcare reform and other issues.

The president must lead by becoming more involved in the immigration issue, and proponents must keep up the pressure for change. There won’t be a “next time” or another second term. Customarily, presidents lose much of their political clout in the later years of a second term-there’s no point in waiting until manana.

Editorial, Pages 12 on 01/22/2013