WASHINGTON: If you are not already overwhelmed and perhaps apathetic due to the onslaught of legislation working its way through the halls of Congress this year, then toss this latest straw upon the camel’s back.

Members of the House have unveiled a bill authored by Illinois congressman Luis Gutierrez, which I affectionately call “Immigration Reform version 2.0.” Because this bill, as opposed to the defeated immigration bill of 2008, by Astroturf activists, would have to be new and improved. It must be fresh and innovative; otherwise what’s the point? The American people have already said no to previous attempts at reform.

Here is the meat of Rep. Gutierrez’s new bill. It would allow migrants to legalize their status without returning to their home countries. It would give nonimmigrant status to the 20 million illegal aliens living in the United States upon registering with the federal government, paying required application fees and a $500 fine, plus pass a criminal and security background check. And best of all, the bill eliminates the ability of local law enforcement from enforcing immigration laws. Thus only the federal government and its agents will have the ability to arrest and prosecute immigration violators.

If this all sounds vaguely familiar, then it should. Rep. Gutierrez’s bill, for the most part, includes the same ideas that the American people soundly rejected in 2008. The number one item that Americans take issue with is that the bill grants amnesty to lawbreakers, and strips states and cities of their ability to deal with illegal immigration. Read more…