From PRI, Public Radio International and KCRW Santa Monica, this is To the Point.

Illegal immigration and the politics of punishment.

Hello again, I'm Orman Alney, and this is To the Point from Public Radio International,

a daily look at the issues Americans care about most.

Having failed at what he calls comprehensive immigration reform,

President Bush has vowed to crack down on undocumented workers.

Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff warns that tough enforcement

will cause economic pain, but that employers should have seen it coming.

Opponents say it'll make things worse.

Supporters say it's about time.

On to the point, we'll debate the impact on the construction industry and grocery prices.

Can local communities take matters into their own hands?

On reporter's notebook later on, a possible new American challenge to Iran.

First, here's the news.

Support for To the Point comes from subscribers of KCRW Santa Monica

and from the Public Radio International Program Fund,

whose contributors include the Ford Foundation and the John D.

and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.

Hello again. Warren

Alney, back with To the Point. The Bush administration is cracking down on illegal immigrant

workers at the same time, warning of unhappy consequences for the economy. On To the Point,

we'll debate what those consequences are likely to be. Will they create new impetus for

...