Posted by Liz Kaplan, Legislative Assistant

Comprehensive immigration reform advocates took a moment to celebrate last week. Despite Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist’s (R-TN) decision to introduce a harsh, enforcement-only bill to be voted on by the Senate during the week of March 27, members of the Senate Judiciary Committee led by Senator Arlen Specter (R-PA) are working hard to compromise on an alternative bill that will allow undocumented immigrants the opportunity to earn legal status. An article from Reuters explains the events and issues at stake pretty well: “Senators near compromise on immigration.”

This positive development reflects true bi-partisan compromise and hard work on the part of a broad coalition that has included immigration advocates, religious groups, labor organizations, and members of the business community (even the U.S. Chamber of Commerce). This work will continue as we look forward to the final Senate Judiciary Committee vote and to the full Senate’s action later in the month.