The Business Journal of Phoenix

by Mike Sunnucks

The Business Journal

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.

However, there still is public support for tougher security controls. State voters approved ballot measures Tuesday denying illegals the ability to sue for punitive damages; the right to bail when they face serious charges; and eligibility for adult education classes and public day care subsidies. A referendum making English the state's official language also passed.

President Bush said Wednesday that he sees immigration as a possible area of cooperation.

"There's progress being made on the border in terms of security, and I would hope we can get something done," Bush said. "It's a vital issue. It's an issue that -- there's an issue where I believe we can find some common ground with the Democrats."

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