Months ago when there was a traffic jam of presidential contenders, it appeared that immigration reform would be a key issue of the campaign.
The other Republican wannabes were dumping on John McCain for having the audacity to suggest a vehicle for illegal aliens to become legal residents. Meanwhile, Hillary Clinton stammered as she tried to explain why she understood, even if she didn't support, a move to allow illegal immigrants in New York to obtain driver licenses.
Since then, McCain has locked up the Republican nomination, and the Democrats are down to Clinton and Barack Obama, both of whom agreed with McCain's immigration reform efforts in the Senate.
Since President Bush months ago gave up fighting for a new standard, it will be up to one of these three to move the ball.
The thousands who participated in May Day immigration reform rallies across the nation Thursday can take some solace in that. They know the next president is unlikely to settle for the status quo.
The candidates aren't talking about it, but immigration remains an important issue. At least 12 million illegal immigrants are in this country; most of whom are never going back home.
This nation needs to help as many as possible become taxpaying, productive residents. Now, they're criminals who must hide, are exploited by employers, and add to the burden of social services for the poor.
Congress has repeatedly failed to address the need both to provide a process for illegal immigrants to become legal and to make it more difficult for them to illegally enter the United States.
Instead, federal immigration and Homeland Security agents have stiffened border enforcement and cracked down on U.S. employers. Last fiscal year, more than 4,000 illegal immigrants were arrested at work compared with about 700 in 2004.
The states, too, are trying to fill the federal void. More than 1,000 bills pertaining to immigrants have been introduced in 44 states this year. Twenty-six states now have immigration laws or resolutions.
But these punitive steps do not consider the value of immigrants, even undocumented ones, in the U.S. labor force. Many agricultural and manufacturing businesses have been hurt by the crackdown. Tax revenue has been lost. Yes, many illegal immigrants pay taxes.
A new, comprehensive federal immigration law is needed to supersede the patchwork of statutes now being stitched by the states. That must become a top priority of the next president.