The president needs to exhibit firm leadership on the immigration issue before he completely loses any substantive influence on the matter. It appears he is now becoming aware of this:

President Bush finally re-entered the immigration debate last week to appeal for civility and compassion. He's way late. The debate is already bitter and divisive, especially within the Republican Party, and it's only getting worse.

More than 200 House Republicans are on record as favoring a draconian border security measure that would make it a felony simply to be in the United States illegally, or to offer assistance - even a meal, a ride or counseling - to an illegal immigrant...

Polls suggest that the public is massively confused and ambivalent about immigration. A Quinnipiac University survey last month found that 54 percent of voters want to make it harder for illegal immigrants to work in the U.S. legally. But a Time magazine poll showed that 76 percent favor earned legalization.

This is a moment for presidential leadership. Bush has limited political capital left, but social peace is a cause worth spending it on.