In an effort to once and for all fix the immigration laws in this country, a bi-partisan group of Senators have reached an agreement on comprehensive, immigration reform.  If it does lead to the implementation of new immigration policies, it would mark the first time since President Obama took office in 2008 that there was a bipartisan effort in enacting serious legislation.  The Senators endorsing the immigration reforms are Democrats Charles Schumer of New York, Dick Durbin of Illinois, Robert Menendez of New Jersey and Michael Bennet of Colorado; and Republicans John McCain of Arizona, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, Marco Rubio of Florida and Jeff Flake of Arizona.  Senator McCain is no stranger to immigration reform having worked closed with former President George Bush in 2007 and the late Democratic Senator Edward Kennedy, only to have it die in the Senate when McCain couldn’t garner enough Republican support.  Speaking on the ABC News show, “This Week”, McCain said, “What’s changed, honestly, is that there is a new, I think, appreciation on both sides of the aisle — including maybe more importantly on the Republican side of the aisle — that we have to enact a comprehensive immigration reform bill.”  According to documents obtained by the Associated Press, the reforms include, 1) a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants already here, contingent upon better border control and tracking of immigrants here on visas.  2) Creating an effective way of verifying that employers are not hiring those here illegally.  3) Reforming the legal immigration system, including awarding green cards to immigrants who obtain advanced degrees in science, math, technology or engineering from an American university.  4) Allowing more low-skilled workers in to the country if an employer can verify he/she couldn’t find an American worker to do the work i.e. agricultural jobs.  While there appears to be growing bi-partisan support, real reform is anything but assured.  It’s a hot-button issue and one that will meet some resistance, particularly from the “Tea Party”.  As important as immigration reform is, the antiquated, outdated “Citizenship Law” of the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution that states, “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside”  needs to be addressed.  We no longer require people to settle the frontier.  Simply being born here is not enough to make one a citizen, especially if the parent is here illegally.  That’s the very reason for enacting reforms; consistent policy.  Allowing people to come here legally and providing a path to citizenship, should be the goal.  The rules can’t apply to some people and not others.  It must be consistent for all.  Tightening security at the border as part of reform is the starting point and has been agreed to by all of the Senators.  There can be no progress without a secure border.  Presidential spokesman Clark Steven said, “As the president has made clear for some time, immigration reform is an important priority and he is pleased that progress is being made with bipartisan support.”  For a change, it looks like our Representatives might be on their way to earning a paycheck.  If accomplished, it will be another giant piece of legislation tackled under this President, so he must receive at least some of the credit.  Although large divisions remain in the country, President Obama has managed to force our legislators to deal with issues from which others have shied away.  Despite the apparent impasses, things are being accomplished.  Maybe, this President is on to something afterall….