In the coming months, Congress will struggle to come to a consensus on a comprehensive immigration reform. While President Barack Obama has encouraged swift action, it is unlikely much will be done quickly. The debate will help define the character of the country, as who we choose to let in or restrict has significance. Culture and our economic future are both important factors.

During the past several years, there has been a failure of the federal government to fully regulate immigration. Legislative efforts like Arizona’s SB 1070 allowed police to stop individuals suspected of being illegal immigrants. This law invited racial profiling and was struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court. Other states close to the border have also tried to enforce immigration policy.

Much of the debate will focus on illegal immigration. There are an estimated 11 million illegal immigrants in the country. Plans to deport all 11 million people, such as Gov. Mitt Romney’s foolish idea of “self-deportation,” are unrealistic. Congress will struggle with how to handle those already in the country.

States and local governments have been forced to take measures into their own hands, but not all states have had to respond to illegal immigration. New York’s experience with immigration, for example, is different from the border states’.

The division between different states and their experiences will be a point of contention in Congress. Many Americans do not witness the effects of illegal immigration firsthand. They are not able to appreciate the perspectives of people in areas affected by illegal immigration. Representatives from states affected and unaffected by illegal immigration will need to agree on a plan.

Illegal immigration has partially helped the U.S. economy. Illegal immigrants pay an estimated $7 billion to social security, but those who pay into the system are unable to collect the benefits.

John McCain (R-Ariz.), a senator who has attempted immigration reform in the past, said, “We have been too content for too long to allow individuals to mow our lawn, serve our food, clean our homes and even watch our children while not affording them any of the benefits that make our country so great.” McCain had previously supported the SB 1070 law.

McCain and seven other senators unveiled a plan last week to solve the issue. The bipartisan plan would allow illegal immigrants a way to earn citizenship. The plan also calls for greater border security and an improved system whereby employers enforce immigration policy by ensuring only properly documented individuals can work. Illegal immigrants would also have to pay back taxes.

This policy area may be a true test of how Republicans define themselves after the 2012 election. Romney only received 27 percent of the Latino vote, and Latinos are 10 percent of the electorate. Staunch conservatives will be unlikely to support a plan that allows the 11 million illegal immigrants – many of whom are Latinos – to attain citizenship. Yet, by not supporting a plan like this, conservatives threaten the success of the party in the 2014 and 2016 elections.

The success or failure of comprehensive immigration reform will be dependent on whether America and Congress can agree on how to characterize the problems our immigration system faces. Citizens need to be able to see the problem on a national level and educate themselves about the issue.

Harmen Rockler is a senior newspaper and online journalism and political science major. His column appears weekly. He can be reached at horockle@syr.edu or followed on Twitter at @LeftofBoston.

Published on February 5, 2013 at 1:15 am