Governors of 13 states have sent a joint letter to both the Senate and the House, imploring them to let Congress increase quotas on H-1B work visas and employment-based green cards. In the letter, they cite the worrisome U.S. "shortage of highly skilled professionals in math and science," pointing out "that foreign talent has a role to play in our ability to keep companies located in our state and country." The letter calls for swift legislation to address the visa shortages.

So why are these governors--of Arizona, California, Colorado, Indiana, Kansas, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New York, Texas, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming--so impatient with the usual legislative process?

Because time is a ticking, and nothing is happening.

While lawmakers and the general public seem to agree that the U.S. immigration system is fractured, a serious division persists, mostly between liberals and conservatives, over what constitutes appropriate reform.

This letter may raise awareness of the distinction between legal and illegal immigrants. So far, legislation on both groups has been lumped together, with conflicts over illegals delaying every other aspect of immigration reform. Hopefully our government leaders will realize that reform absolutely has to be divided into two vastly different categories: Those who overstayed visas or even jumped border fences, and those who are here, legally, and now want to help America keep its competitive edge.

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