The hidden rule of 1 in 20 workers

A study that found one in every 20 workers is in the United States illegally underscores what's at stake as the U.S. Senate takes up the issue of immigration reform.

The Pew Hispanic Center estimates there are 12 million illegal immigrants. If they were all deported tomorrow, that would surely slow the rate of housing starts (one in seven illegal immigrants works in construction) and keep many stomachs growling for lunch (one in eight in food service). That's if the restaurants could even get their produce (one in four on farms). No bill will solve the problem without acknowledging — and making accommodations for — the role illegal immigrants have come to play in the U.S. economy, thanks to flawed policy and lackadaisical enforcement.

The senators can't help but do better than the head-in-the-sand approach the House passed in December. The bill, among other things, would build a 700-mile border fence across parts of the U.S. border with Mexico and force local police agencies to enforce federal law or lose funding. The proposal has irked doctors, teachers and clergy members, who say it would criminalize their interaction with illegal immigrants.

On the issue of the United States' reliance on these 12 million people, the bill is irresponsibly mute.

The Senate Judiciary Committee last week approved a proposal for increased border enforcement and fencing. But U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., is committed to tackling the more-critical issue. He is trying to negotiate a compromise between feuding factions as he presides over the Judiciary Committee.

Two bills with the most traction do permit guest workers, although one would put them on a path to citizenship while the other would not.

This editorial page supports the bipartisan bill proposed by Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona and Democratic Sen. Ted Kennedy of Massachusetts. Their bill, which has the support of both business and labor advocates, would require illegal immigrants to pay a fine but then permit them to earn legal residency status over a period of years.

Specter has proposed a compromise bill without a citizenship path. His goal is to negotiate the heel-digging on both sides and bring a bill to the Senate floor by March 27 — and to do it in an election year. That will be something.