Congress sees eye to eye on helping one immigrant group -- entertainers
With support from both sides of the aisle, the House and Senate are working to clear visa hurdles for fashion models, singers and pro athletes to enter the country.
WASHINGTON — Twice in the last two years, Congress tried to overhaul the nation's immigration laws and failed, leaving the explosive issue for dead. But during an election year in which no action was expected, the House and Senate now are quietly helping certain groups of immigrants favored by both ends of the political spectrum.
Even in polarized Washington, Democrats and Republicans can appreciate immigrants who throw a fast pitch, have a beautiful face or sing a catchy song. Bills to make it easier for athletes, fashion models and performers, such as British singer Amy Winehouse, to work in the United States have enthusiastic support, even from some of the most hard-nosed immigration critics.
Congress has been able to make incremental changes to immigration laws, despite its overall paralysis, by focusing on narrow issues on which compromise proved possible.
Immigration bills still being considered in the House cover foreign students, religious workers, foreign investors and relatives of a few illegal immigrants killed in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Other measures are planned.
"It's the art and age of compromise, especially on an issue this sensitive and this important," said Rep. Lamar Smith (R-Texas), the ranking member on the House immigration subcommittee who is known for his conservative views on the subject.
The reason these bills can be approved, said the subcommittee's chairwoman, Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-San Jose), is that they are more "housekeeping items" than substantial reform. Though important, Lofgren said, the bills are not "part of the overall immigration debate; therefore, the contentious nature of the discussion is less."
In 2007, the Senate failed to pass an enormous bill that sought to make changes to border security, work site enforcement and a guest-worker program. It also would have allowed illegal immigrants to gain legal status, a provision that led to the bill's collapse after opponents labeled it amnesty.
Since then, Lofgren has steered the immigration subcommittee toward agreement on small issues and, with Smith, passed the bills with wide support.
The House approved a bill this month that would speed visa processing for foreign artists and musicians. Winehouse had to appear via satellite at this year's Grammy ceremony because there was not enough time to process her visa after she was cleared to enter.
