Schumer seeks consensus on immigration reform

Now that illegal border crossings are down and the border is more secure, Sen. Schumer says it is time for immigration reform. - - Donna Poisl

BY TOM BRUNE

WASHINGTON - Citing new figures showing arrests for illegal border crossings down 27 percent since October, Sen. Charles Schumer on Wednesday argued that the federal government is fulfilling its promise to secure the nation's borders, so now it's time for "immigration reform."

Declines in the arrests indicate fewer people are trying to enter illegally, border patrol officials said Wednesday, whether because of tougher enforcement or the bad economy.

With such testimony in the second Senate hearing this year on an ambitious overhaul of immigration laws, Schumer, a New York Democrat and chairman of the Senate's immigration subcommittee, sought to address the issue he says sank previous legislation.
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