House immigration group at an impasse

The most polarizing disagreement is over a so-called trigger that would eliminate the legalization process for 11 million undocumented immigrants if an employment verification program — called E-Verify — is not in place in five years. Most Democrats consider that trigger too harsh, but Republicans insist on it.

There is also an ongoing divide over how undocumented immigrants would be covered by the nation’s new health care law — Republicans are accusing Democrats of walking away from an agreement that they should provide their own health insurance, and instead insisting on Senate-blessed language.

Furthermore, House Republicans continue to reject a compromise on the number of visas to be issued to low-skilled or guest workers. That compromise was painstakingly crafted between the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and labor interests before the introduction of the Senate bill.

There are disagreements between and within the parties on these key policies, and real uncertainty on when the group should release a framework. Some Democrats and immigration reform advocates don’t want the House to move quickly. They are pressuring the group to slow down and wait until the Senate passes a bill before announcing a compromise, fearful that a conservative House bill would pull the reform effort to the right too soon.