Senators try to revive immigration debate

02/28/2007

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Months after last year's immigration reform effort died in Congress, senators are trying to revive the debate.

The Senate Judiciary Committee heard Wednesday from Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff and Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez in a hearing about the state of illegal immigration and proposals to fix the problems.

Both men echoed administration support for a guest worker program, a stance they share with Democratic leaders in Congress but a position which splits
Republicans.

Senators pointed to a wealth of serious issue from enforcement red tape to the ease of obtaining fake documents.

"Could I get a Social Security card illegally by midnight tonight?" Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-South Carolina, asked Chertoff.

"I don't know if you could," replied Chertoff, sparking laughs throughout the room, "but I think probably an illegal immigrant can."

Hovering over the complex issue is the question of whether Congress will act at all this year.

Chertoff insisted changes need to be made to the system now or the American people will be in a "very difficult situation."

But freshman Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-Rhode Island, expressed doubts, pointing to the lack of agreement among Republicans. "If there isn't a really serious and sincere effort to get there, then this is all a lot of talk," he said.