President Bush has often said that he supports immigration reform legislation - but that
  support generally has been nothing more than vague generalizations of principles.

  And now, in the past few days, Bush's true lack of commitment to meaningful
  immigration reform became clear, when Secretary of State Colin Powell said the topic is
  not on the administration's agenda.

  In interviews with two Spanish-language television networks, Powell said Bush will not
  push administration reform in Congress this year or next. Powell attributed Bush's lack of
  interest to election-year politics and continuing fallout from the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist
  attacks.

  That, quite plainly, is a cop-out.

  Congress is always either in an election year or building up to one. If Bush is waiting until
  politics subside to discuss immigration, the discussion will never come.

  And while it is true the country and Congress still have 9-11 jumpiness, that cannot be
  justification for halting all legislation relating to immigration.

  Immigration is not an insignificant issue that will resolve itself. There are an estimated 9
  million illegal immigrants in the United States - 1 of every 33 people living here. And the
  number of illegal immigrants is climbing.

  It is unfortunate that Powell's comments came just before today's visit to Phoenix by
  Mexican President Vicente Fox. Fox has repeatedly nudged Bush to reopen immigration
  discussions that were slammed shut 9-11, but to no avail. It also is less than two weeks
  before U.S. and Mexican officials meet in Washington, D.C. to discuss a number of issues
  - including immigration.

  It now appears those talks will be pointless.

  Powell said Congress is reluctant to enter the immigration debate because "of the need
  we have to guard our borders and to make sure we knew who was coming into our
  country and who's still here and who may have left."

  But that is one reason immigration reform is so badly needed - to improve security along
  the borders.

  The Border Security and Immigration Improvement Act, introduced by three Arizona
  members of Congress, will give immigrants who want only to work a legitimate way to
  enter the country. That will allow authorities to concentrate on the small fraction of
  illegal entrants who are coming here to do us harm.

  Yet not only has Bush refused to propose immigration reform legislation of his own, he
  has shied away from endorsing the legislation introduced by Sen. John McCain and Reps.
  Jim Kolbe and Jeff Flake, all Arizona Republicans.

  Bush must back up his tepid expressions of support for immigration reform with deeds.
  His inaction is shameful.