The shift to Democratic control in the new Congress may resuscitate the stalled effort to revamp federal immigration policy. Says Marshall Fitz, American Immigration Lawyers Association advocacy director: "I think we've got a better opportunity to get things done and done right than, quite frankly, we ever have."
Kelly Knott, an Associated General Contractors' congressional relations director, sees improved chances for a broad-based immigration bill in the House and points to previous work in the Senate. "The Senate has already demonstrated that they can and want to pass comprehensive reform," she says, adding that the situation in the House is still "an uphill battle." AGC favors a package combining stronger border security, a new guest worker program and a viable way to address undocumented workers.