The group agreed to focus initially on four central issues — the millions of undocumented workers, border security, interior enforcement and a guest-worker program. The committee will use what Iandoli called a discussion-draft bill circulated by Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., as the foundation for discussions at the next meeting on Feb. 7.

Immigration attorney Timothy Wheelwright provided a brief outline of problems with immigration policy, including the U.S. government's cap of 65,000 annual visas for highly skilled workers (those with bachelor's degrees or better). The entire fiscal year's quota was gone on Oct. 1, the first day they were available, he said, and the last of an additional 20,000 visas later issued for workers with master's degrees from American universities disappeared last week.

"We want to welcome the best and the brightest," Wheelwright said, "but our immigration policies are offending the best and the brightest because they are so hostile, so unpredictable and in a lot of ways so unfair."

Immigration attorney Jeff Hammond asked the other committee members to avoid both extremes.

"Immigration is one of those issues where the nearer you get to the middle, the more it makes sense," he said. "On one side, some want to seal the border and deport 11 to 12 million people, but that's not workable; it would be a fiscal disaster. But on the other side, opening the borders and having no laws would be a disaster."

Throckmorton said his goal has been to create motives for undocumented workers to comply with U.S. law. He cited a Senate proposal to require undocumented workers to return to their native land to qualify for legal guest-worker status.

The committee began to form a statement of values to govern its discussions and members mentioned a desire to seek workable, reasonable, business-friendly solutions that recognize the dignity of individuals and are viable in the long-term.

"I'm excited about this group and the opportunity to look at this from multiple perspectives," Throckmorton said. "This is the kind of debate we should be having around the United States."

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