Bloomberg Enters Fight on Immigration

Michael Bloomberg is jumping into the immigration debate, arguing for a policy that makes it easier for legal immigrants to enter the country and the workforce, but harder for illegal ones to do so. Hizzoner will announce a coalition of mayors and business leaders backing his push today, the Wall Street Journal reports, and aides say the issue will be at the center of his third-term agenda.

“Our immigration policy is national suicide,” Bloomberg said yesterday. “We educate the best and the brightest, and then we don’t give them a green card. We want people to create jobs, but we won’t let entrepreneurs from around the globe come here.” Bloomberg’s group will also advocate stronger border security and tougher penalties for people who employ illegals, along with an easier way to verify workers’ status. They’re planning to harangue Washington with research reports, polls, and maybe an advertising campaign. (More Michael Bloomberg stories.)