Chattanooga Times Free Press
May 18, 2006

Secure our borders, then do the rest

With 12 million (or more) illegals having invaded our country, everyone should agree we must secure our borders. That may be hard to do, but it can be done. Even then, there will remain many other more difficult immigration issues to be debated, dealt with and solved.

That's why it is a shame that the U.S. Senate voted only 40 for and 55 against Georgia Republican Sen. Johnny Isakson's proposal to secure our borders first, while we face the other complex issues.

The Senate majority insisted the issues not be separated, but that one comprehensive immigration reform bill be adopted. That will be OK if the comprehensive bill does soon all that it should do. But with at least 40 amendments already being offered, quick and sound action without tooth-pulling compromises won't come easily. It would be better to start immediately on real border control while our lawmakers sort out the rest.

Unfortunately, we are likely to have unnecessary delay and then adopt a measure that will not do all that needs to be done to stop the massive invasion of our country and also deal appropriately with illegals -- without U.S. surrender.

The majority of the American people seem to agree that effective action needs to be taken. But partisan political maneuvering is standing in the way.