America cannot let comprehensive immigration reform (CIR) go the way of health care reform.

Unlike health care, there are relatively few special interests whose profits depend on immigration reform failing. Although this does not mean the end of ideological rhetoric (particularly from conservatives), it could mean less fear-based television advertising geared to misinform gullible Americans. But I see relative lack of corporate unity against immigration reform as an opportunity for a true bipartisan solution.

In a previous article I suggested that progressives consider the possibility of ending birthright citizenship of children born to foreigners as a way to get conservative support for comprehensive immigration reform. Whether or not this is a valid scenario, I believe this could low hanging fruit for compromise. Now before you send me hateful comments, let me explain further.

The so-called "anchor baby" issue is one that galvanizes conservatives. As a progressive who strongly supports the need for reform, I do admit some resistance to the idea that a pregnant citizen from any foreign country come here (legally or not) and deliver an American citizen. And then, courtesy of immigration law, eventually sponsor their relatives to come into our country via "chain migration".

Having said that I'm personally not wedded to the idea of ending birthright citizenship, except as a possible compromise mechanism to help pass CIR.

The Birthright Citizenship Act of 2009 (HR 1868) would require at least one parent to be either a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident. However, it won't necessarily stop poor women from, say Mexico, from having their babies in El Paso to get better health care. But we will likely see fewer temporary visas issued to pregnant travelers from abroad. Under this scenario, a valid question remains whether some of these children would be "stateless" or not.

Although Republican leadership in Congress is currently focused on stopping progress on virtually all legislation, this strategy will ultimately backfire when Americans finally lose patience with the Party of No and understand it is no one's interest to turn the upcoming immigration debate into a partisan spectacle.

The full text of HR 4381, Comprehensive Immigration Reform for America's Security and Prosperity Act of 2009 (ASAP), available at myUSAi.org, details the House of Representatives version of the bill. Whether or not the Senate version eventually includes a provision to end birthright citizenship, I strongly recommend you download and read it.

Let's face it, to pass CIR, something needs to give. The question is, what?