Earlier this year we discussed the federal legislation regarding immigration reform. You will recall that the media described it as a “grand compromise.”

At the time, Washington politicos wanted comprehensive legislation to provide amnesty to individuals who had illegally entered the United States or overstayed temporary visits.

You will also recall that government proponents of the legislation as well as special interest groups and the Mexican government insisted that the federal legislation was not amnesty.

America’s citizens, including many legal immigrants saw through the ruse and, in significant numbers, communicated with Washington politicos demanding the legislation be withdrawn. And so, American federales did.

Yet, readers of this column will also recall our noting at that time that “… it’s not yet dead … deal-makers in Washington … will be back with what will be called yet another grand compromise.”

Since then, and interim to another legislative assault in pursuit of amnesty, the rule of law and proper enforcement continue to be compromised. Here are some facts about the latest end-run.

Three border states, Arizona, Vermont and Washington, previously agreed with the federales to create a new generation of super-secure driver’s licenses for U.S. citizens, but also allow illegal immigrants to get a version.

Yes, you read that correctly: “… Also allow illegal immigrants to get a version.”

Now New York has cut a deal with the Bush administration to do the same, that is, reach an agreement on federally approved secure licenses. That makes four states — and counting.

Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff is reported to have said he “was not happy that New York intended to issue IDs to illegal immigrants, but there was nothing he could do to stop it.”

Let’s understand this. Secretary Chertoff is “not happy”that New York governor Elliott Spitzer “intended to issue IDs to illegal immigrants.” That’s part of a simple declarative sentence. America’s citizens can understand that statement.

After all, who in the United States would be happy if any level of government in our country issued a license of any type to illegal immigrants?

“But, there was nothing he could do to stop it.” Huh? Is what he said actually what he meant? (What do you think?) Perhaps, the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security is telling us there is nothing he CAN do. If that is what he really meant, then it might be political.

What else did Secretary Chertoff say?

“I don’t endorse giving licenses to people who are not here legally …”

As Forrest Gump would say: “Golly gee, Mr. Secretary, I would hope so!”

Then, Forrest read that Secretary Chertoff added: “But federal law does allow states to make that choice.”

Exasperated, like so many of his fellow American citizens, Forest exclaims aloud, “What is he saying? What does he mean? Is he, trying to get us to read between the lines?”

Or, could it be the Secretary has become part of the problem? If Michael Chertoff has become part of the problem, then, when he says there is nothing he COULD do to stop it, what he means is there is nothing he WILL do to stop it.

If, however, he means there is nothing he (alone) CAN do to stop it, then he may be sending us a signal that, once again, America’s citizens must get personally active.

That is what stopped the previous ruse called comprehensive immigration reform.

American citizens, whether native born or legal immigrants who had properly entered the United States and became citizens, used telephones, fax machines, e-mails, radio show call-ins and snail-mail to get a clear message to Washington politicos.

But, be aware, this time the American public will be told there will be three or more different types of driver’s licenses, and that it is to bring undocumented immigrants “out of the shadows.”

In reality, the government end-run now under way is designed to achieve two key objectives:

• To make illegal aliens legal by providing legal licenses to position them for future citizenship through amnesty legislation, the privilege of voting and to facilitate of collection of tax withholding.

• In the interim, tactically, the effort will benefit industries including banking, mortgage, automobile finance and insurance, the latter aided by state-enforced required coverage.

These objectives will create more bureaucracy, more confusion and more costs to citizen taxpayers by all levels of government.

This time, America’s citizens will need to communicate to elected officials at every level of government: U.S. executive branch, U.S. Senate, U.S. House, governors, mayors, et al. that licenses for individuals illegally in the United States is not acceptable.

No one can read Secretary Chertoff’s mind. So, we do not know what he really means by what he said. Most Americans hope — and many pray — that he understands, supports and is absolutely committed without reservation, to effectively protecting the United States from external and internal attacks.

For many Americans that means the Homeland Security Chief must close the borders now and assertively remove illegal aliens and overstays.

Doubts have been increasing about Chertoff and his understanding what American citizens expect of him as Homeland Security Chief.

Providing legal license to illegal individuals dramatically increases those doubts.

Perhaps, it is time for Chertoff to leave his post. For some time, I have been wary and worried. The answer may come soon.

Perhaps, it will turn on whether Chertoff heeds the simple and clear wisdom of Forrest Gump. Can you hear Forrest now?

“Mr. Secretary. Never, ever give a legal license to an illegal.”