Hayworth ouster removes an obstacle to real immigration reform

From the Business Journal of Phoenix:

Democrats win could pave way for immigration reform

The Democrats' takeover of Congress and ouster of some immigration hawks such as Scottsdale Congressman J.D. Hayworth could clear the way for approval of comprehensive immigration changes. Those could include a guest worker program, more enforcement, stiffer penalties against employers who hire illegals and pathways to legal status for undocumented workers already in the U.S.

The biggest impediment to a guest worker program and other immigration reforms in Congress was the conservative Republican contingent such as Hayworth, who favors a security-first approach to the issue.

Hayworth lost on Tuesday to Democratic challenger Harry Mitchell, and the GOP got booted from its congressional majority by voters upset with the Iraq War, ethics scandals and the lack of progress on immigration.

President Bush, Arizona Sen. John McCain, business groups and many Democrats, including Gov. Janet Napolitano, Mitchell and new Tucson Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, support a guest worker program and some type of legal status for the estimated 12 million illegals already in the U.S.

That could create enough consensus to enact a more comprehensive plan, said Farrell Quinlan, vice president of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry.

Democrats also could push for tougher sanctions and penalties against employers who violate federal laws by hiring undocumented workers. The Dems criticize the Bush administration for failure to act in that area and there is strong public support in Arizona and nationally for punishing employers that hire illegals.

Peter Jackson, spokesman for the Arizona Democratic Party, said being in the majority gives his camp the chance to show they can get results on the issue, which was largely stalled when under GOP rule.

"Democrats in Arizona campaigned this year on the idea of comprehensive immigration reform against this do-nothing Republican Congress that couldn't get anything done on immigration," said Jackson.

Major state and national business groups -- including the state chamber and U.S. Chamber of Commerce -- support a guest work program.

Absolutely. Now that the obstructionists are out of the way, hopefully we can move forward and make some real progress on this important issue. Count on a realistic, tough, business-friendly and comprehensive reform package to be introduced by the Democrats next year and passed by a sound bipartisan majority.