Dear Readers:

The debate on massive immigration reform is about to heat up in Washington. Over the next month, the Senate is expected to produce a bill and have a vote on an immigration bill. Will they follow the lead of the House of Representatives and pass a bill focused entirely on enforcement? Or will they pass a comprehensive bill that deals with border enforcement as well providing a legal means for employers to hire guest workers? And if there is a guest worker component to the bill, will the bill provide a path to legalization for the eleven million undocumented immigrants in the country?

If the Senate passes a bill, there will be a clash with the much more restrictive House when the two bodies try and reach a compromise bill. There are a number of factors that could influence the outcome. Will the White House, which has been vocal in supporting guest worker legislation, use its influence to the fullest extent? And given the serious political problems facing the White House today, how much power does the President really have anymore over his party in Congress?

It is now two years since President Bush’s famous nationally televised speech calling for immigration reform. Over the last two years, people on all sides of the immigration debate have been gearing up for the battle about to take place. We’ll be covering this debate closely and will send out special alerts as news develops. We will also provide information to you, our readers, on weighing in with members of Congress via fax and email.

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Not surprisingly, immigrants contributed greatly to the success of the US Olympic team. That continues a long tradition, of course. Congratulations to Tanith Belbin, the newest American on the US team who with partner Ben Agosto, won a silver medal in Ice Dancing, the first US medal in the sport in three decades. And kudos to Korean-born Hyo Jung Kim who competed in short track speed skating and Russian-born Denis Petrukhov, who also represented America in ice dancing.

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In firm news, I will be speaking on two panels at the annual immigration law conference of the State Bar of Texas. The meeting is Thursday and Friday of this week in Houston. I’ll be speaking about immigration resources on the Internet on one panel and then I’ll be moderating a panel on dual representation, client agreements and fee agreements. If you’re interested in attending, you can view a course brochure and register online at http://www.texasbarcle.com/CLE/AABuy0.asp?sProductType=EV&lID=5835.