This editorial appeared in The Fresno Bee.
President Barack Obama has authorized his administration to go after employers who hire and exploit illegal workers, and there's nothing wrong with that policy. But that can't be the only answer to the nation's immigration problem.
If Obama really wants to fix our broken immigration system, he must push hard to get a comprehensive reform package through Congress as soon as possible.
It seems the president has decided to move cautiously on getting an immigration reform bill passed into law. We understand the political sensitivity of this issue and the need to build a strong consensus that will hold up when the special-interest lobbying begins. President George W. Bush thought he had an immigration reform deal completed in 2007, but it was killed in the Senate by Democrats and Republicans.
Delaying a solution to this contentious problem is akin to embracing the status quo of an immigration system that has outlived its usefulness.
Last week, Obama reiterated his commitment to immigration reform, saying he wants a "more thoughtful approach than just raids of a handful of workers." That sounds a lot like "we'll get it done, but we're not sure when."
Well, there's no time like the present. So let's get moving on an immigration reform plan that deals with all aspects of the issue. It's time for the nation to begin debating this issue.
To read the complete editorial, visit The Fresno Bee.