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American Morning
Al-Masri Killed?; Operation Jump Start
Aired May 01, 2007 - 07:59 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KIRAN CHETRY, CNN ANCHOR: And welcome. Thanks so much for being with us on this Tuesday, May 1st.
I'm Kiran Chetry, here in New York.
JOHN ROBERTS, CNN ANCHOR: And I'm John Roberts, in Washington.
Stories on our AM radar this morning.
Lots of immigration rallies taking place across the country today, though expecting lower turnout than we saw last year. We're going to be talking to Lou Dobbs about all of this. Lou has been known to have a thing or two to say about it.
We'll also talk with Latino radio host Eddie Sotelo. He organized rallies in the past, and he's urging President Bush to pass immigration reform.
Congress, Kiran, expected to start taking up that legislation about the 14th of May.
CHETRY: Yes. And in the meantime, there's some fallout over enforcing immigration laws, how do you do it and what happens when the heart-wrenching scenes of families being separated come to pass.
The other thing -- the other big question to be asked is, will this immigration reform make anybody happy? People on both sides seem to be taking issue with some of the ideas being floated by the White House. So, we're going to talk about that, as well.
ROBERTS: And a new survey out today finds doctors getting even closer to drug companies. Could that have an impact on how you're treated, the type of medications that they recommend?
We're paging Dr. Sanjay Gupta on this. We'll have him coming up a little bit later on this hour with this very important story.
CHETRY: Absolutely.
And we begin with some developing news out of Baghdad. The U.S. not yet able to confirm reports that al Qaeda's leader in Iraq has been killed. But that's what the Interior Ministry spokesman is saying, saying that Abu Ayyub al-Masri, one of America's most wanted terrorists, was killed in clashes between Al Qaeda in Iraq and other militant groups.
Our CNN's Arwa Damon joins us live from Baghdad with more on what they're saying there.
Hi, Arwa.
ARWA DAMON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Kiran.
Well, we also just heard from a spokesman for the Iraqi government, Ali Daba (ph), cautioning against any premature statements that al-Masri, otherwise known as Abu Hamza al-Muhajir, was, in fact, killed. Saying that Iraqi security forces and U.S. military right now were heading towards the scene where the battle took place, supposedly between tribes and elements of Al Qaeda and Iraq in an area north of the capital, Baghdad, saying that they would be conducting I.D. exams, as well as possibly DNA tests on whatever bodies they do recover from the scene of that battle now.
He also gave out some interesting information. This was not a battle that took place between elements of al Qaeda or Iraqi security forces, or the U.S. military. According to Daba (ph), tribes from Falluja and Abu Ghraib, two locations west of Baghdad, predominantly Sunni, received tips that al-Masri was in this area known as al- Niba'ie.
It is a desert area with a few houses, farmhouses here and there, and a known al Qaeda stronghold, an area that holds training camps for al Qaeda. These tribes received tips and then moved in to that area to try to take on al Qaeda and al-Masri for themselves. But again, no concrete information from the Iraqi government or from the U.S. military here -- Kiran.
CHETRY: And this is interesting. The U.S. had a $5 million bounty on Masri's head. If, indeed, it is confirmed that he was killed in some infighting between insurgents, does anyone get that?
DAMON: Well, Kiran, it really does depend. If it was infighting between insurgents, insurgent groups, probably not. If it was infighting between the tribes -- remember they're doing this also because it does currently serve their own interest to target Al Qaeda in Iraq.
Many of the insurgent groups initially had formed something of an alliance of convenience with Al Qaeda in Iraq, that being fighting the U.S. military here. But in recent months we have seen insurgent groups trying to distance themselves and, in fact, directly target al Qaeda.
Remember, al Qaeda's long-term goal is to try to set up an Islamic state in Iraq, and many of the insurgent groups here, especially the Sunni insurgent groups here, have a more nationalistic aim. They're really trying to stake out their own power, but they don't want to see Iraq turned into an Islamic state.
CHETRY: Very interesting.
Arwa Damon from Baghdad this morning.
Thank you. ROBERTS: New numbers from the State Department show that half of the terror attacks in the world last year took place in Iraq. There were 14,000 attacks in total, 20,000 people killed, about two-thirds of those in Iraq.
The Pentagon confirms this morning that I.D. cards for the Green Zone were found in a Sunni neighborhood of Baghdad. Two hundred and twenty I.D. cards were found, including two for the Green Zone and one for the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad. The announcement comes two weeks after a suicide bombing inside the cafeteria of the Iraqi parliament.
The war funding bill hits President Bush's desk today, the four- year mark since the president's speech on the USS Abraham Lincoln with the "Mission Accomplished" banner behind him. Democrats try to send a message by delivering the bill today. It includes an October 1st deadline to being pulling troops out of Iraq.
The president promises a quick veto, but he says he wants to work out a compromise. He's meeting with leaders of both parties tomorrow.
CHETRY: And we have word just in now from Cuba that Fidel Castro, the leader there, did not show for a May Day parade in Havana. There was wide speculation he would appear, but he did not. His brother Raul did.
Of course, Castro's been plagued with a lot of questions about his health. He's not been seen in public, and there was speculation that he would make an appearance. And we're getting word he was a no- show today in that May Day parade.
It's been nearly a year since Operation Jump Start began along the Mexican border, an effort to slow the flow of illegal immigrants.
AMERICAN MORNING'S Chris Lawrence is live at the border, south of San Diego, with an update for us this morning.
Hi, Chris.
CHRIS LAWRENCE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Kiran.
Yes, here in San Ysidro, more than 4,000 people come across this border every single hour, making it possibly the busiest land crossing in the entire world. Already some activity here, even this early in the morning.
And here in San Ysidro there is a constant cat and mouse game between border agents on this side and spotters on the Mexican side who are trying to help drivers smuggle people and drugs through these checkpoints here. We have seen heartbreaking pictures of men and women stuffed into the dashboard of a car, sometimes children crammed into seat covers, even a gas tank, desperately trying to cross into the United States.
But this is really just one way in which people try to get into this country illegally. And last year, President Bush launched Operation Jump Start, trying to secure the border area business twen these legal ports of entry.
It deployed 6,000 National Guard troops to help assist the border, basically giving the Border Patrol time to train an addition 6,000 agents. The idea being when the National Guard leaves next year, these new Border Patrol agents would simply take their place.
We checked to see if they're having any effect at all, and in many cases they are. We looked at the area of Yuma, Arizona, which was a flash point for illegal crossings. Last year, before Operation Jump Start, they were arresting about 400 people a day, just in terms of trying to come into the country illegally. Now, just a fraction of that, down to about 140 people a day.
In fact, if you look at the entire southern border from Texas, here to San Diego, the apprehensions are dramatically down from a year ago. But, in what some officials say is a good sign, strangely enough, the violence against Border Patrol agents is actually up. And they say that is because it is costing smugglers more to get over the border and is more difficult, and that is leading to more frustration and more protection for these smugglers. And thus, more violence against the Border Patrol agents -- Kiran.
CHETRY: Very interesting this morning.
Chris Lawrence live at the border.
Thank you.
ROBERTS: Obviously, somebody is taking a close look at that border in a helicopter, as well.
Another important immigration issue is what to do with children who are born in this country to parents who are illegal immigrants. Recent raids have separated many families.
Earlier on AMERICAN MORNING, I asked Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff about the problem.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MICHAEL CHERTOFF, HOMELAND SECURITY SECRETARY: We're obviously sympathetic to the plight of children who find themselves caught in this situation, but we do have to remember, it is the parents' choice to break the law. And I have to tell you, when I was a prosecutor, it was unfortunately not uncommon to see children suffer because parents broke the law and had to go to jail.
We always do these raids in a way that takes care of children, make sure that we have taken steps to coordinate with the local authorities. But at the end of the day, we cannot compromise on enforcing the law simply because somebody has given birth to a child in the United States.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROBERTS: Under the 14th Amendment, any child born in this country qualifies as a U.S. citizen.
CHETRY: And coming up, we're going to be talking immigration and broken borders with Lou Dobbs. Is progress being made to keep illegal immigrants out? Lou Dobbs is going to be joining us live up next.
And then there is the other side of the debate. A radio talk show host who led the call to rally tells us what he thinks has changed and what still needs to be done.
You're watching AMERICAN MORNING. The most news in the morning is here on CNN.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ROBERTS: Twelve minutes after the hour now. One thing about this country is you can always find extreme weather somewhere.
(WEATHER REPORT)
CHETRY: Well, immigration reform rallies are planned in cities across the country today, demonstrations. Last year, as you can see from the video, brought hundreds of thousands of people out. Is it going to be the same this year, and what type of progress have we made?
CNN's Lou Dobbs, host of "Broken Borders" town hall meeting -- it's going to be tomorrow night from Hazleton, Pennsylvania, one of the towns fighting back against illegal immigrants. And Lou Dobbs joins us now.
Thanks so much for being with us.
LOU DOBBS, HOST, "LOU DOBBS TONIGHT": Great to be with you, Kiran.
CHETRY: What progress have we made, if any, from last year?
DOBBS: Well, I think that there is some better enforcement at the border, but the fact is we still have a million apprehensions at the border. And that means, according to the Border Patrol's rough yardstick, somewhere between two to three times those caught. And let's call it a number of about a million getting in illegally each year.
And whether the number is a half million or a million, the fact is the government doesn't know. We're making, at the margin, progress, but it's at the margin.
And remember, we're approaching the sixth anniversary of September 11th. And this nation's borders are still insecure, there are -- our ports are -- only five percent of the cargo coming into the country is being inspected. It's a joke.
CHETRY: I think that a lot of people...
DOBBS: A sad joke, but a joke. CHETRY: Oh, yes. I think a lot of people don't believe that we're talking about the same issue -- terrorism, versus people that are come coming across the Mexican border trying to make money.
DOBBS: Well, if they don't, then they should ask themselves this question: If a million, as many as a million illegal aliens, can cross that border, who else is crossing the border? Well, we know one thing that's crossing the border, and that's drugs.
Mexico is the primary source of methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine and marijuana entering this country every year. It's as large as $100 billion business, and much of that money going to Mexico. So, if people can't see the relationship between a secure border and the welfare of the nation and the common good, then I think they're being particularly obtuse.
CHETRY: There's also a difference when you take the snapshots of the immigration issue of the border versus what to do with the 12 million, which many say is underreported.
DOBBS: Twelve to 20 million.
CHETRY: Right, of people that are here now illegally that are working in our country.
DOBBS: Sure.
CHETRY: The president's proposal -- and I want to get your thoughts on this -- is the three-year work visa. They pay money for it. They have to return to their home country, apply for residency, pay a fine and can come back.
Now, no one likes that. The immigrant groups don't like it either.
DOBBS: It's idiotic. And the fact that the president of the United States, the fact that the Congress of the United States and the Democratic leadership, particularly in the Senate, could put this legislation before the American people -- the Flake-Gutierrez bill, 700 pages of utter nonsense that, frankly, no one in Congress has read. But it's an absurdity.
It's amnesty. It would cost this country a fortune. And for what?
The issue is secure borders. The issue is not 12 to 20 million illegal aliens in this country. The issue is enforcing the law.
You know, it's fascinating to me to look down at that lower third. You see that, Kiran? It says "Immigration Nation".
What in the devil does that mean?
CHETRY: Well, we put it there because it rhymes, I think. It rhymes.
DOBBS: OK. I mean, but everyone should ask themselves, what is the mainstream media in this country doing?
They're selling an agenda. And they're not applying critical judgment. And critical judgment and skepticism is our job as journalists.
We're talking about comprehensive immigration legislation as reform. We're using the word "reform" as if it were true. There's no skepticism.
Everyone, every journalist has the responsibility to look at what's happening. And instead, I listen to Chris Lawrence and Alina Cho standing before the Statue of Liberty talking about the heartbreaking, the horrible experiences of many illegal immigrants coming into this country. All is true, but not on point, because the fact is that four industries in which illegal aliens are the predominant employee -- that is landscaping, that is leisure and hospitality, and now construction -- wages in all four of those industries have declined over the last five years.
Where is the shortage of labor? If there was a shortage, those wages would moving higher.
This is propaganda, and it's got to stop. And the mainstream media has a responsibility to challenge this nonsense.
CHETRY: Well, that's why we're glad you're here today, to bring these issues to the forefront.
DOBBS: I'm delighted to be here.
CHETRY: You can come every day, actually, if you want to.
Let me ask you this, because we asked our viewers to pose some questions to you.
DOBBS: Sure.
CHETRY: One person, William from New York, asked, "How can we deport people when our economy depends on them?" You spoke to this issue just a moment ago.
DOBBS: Sure.
CHETRY: Don't we need illegal immigrants here?
DOBBS: You do not need illegal immigrants at any time in this country. This is -- I wish it would say instead of "Immigration Nation," it said "Nation of Laws".
We need immigrants in this country. That's why we bring in more than two million. Has anybody over the past hour on this broadcast or this network reported, or any other network, reported that we bring in more than two million immigrants into this country lawfully each and every year? Has anybody on this broadcast, any news organization in the country, said, wait a minute, why in the world are we worrying about illegal immigration into this country and their -- and their situation before we're worrying about how long it takes to become a lawful immigrant in to this country and what we're doing with people who are playing by the rules?
This is upside down. It's wrongheaded. And it is simply, to me, a travesty that mainstream media journalists are not focusing on the facts.
CHETRY: And we want to ask you one more question...
DOBBS: Sure.
CHETRY: ... if we can do it quickly. Ilyse from Florida asks, "Why don't we just change the laws so that children of illegal immigrants are no longer considered U.S. citizens?"
DOBBS: That's great. You know, I love that idea. I love to tamper with the Constitution.
I love the idea of changing it to suit those who would deny gays their rights. I'd love it for those who would like to roll back the Second Amendment to deny the right to bear arms.
When you go after the Constitution of this country, I guarantee you, I don't care what it is. I'm going to fight you as hard as I can. This -- the Constitution works. What we have is a responsibility, and what this government has is a responsibility to enforce the law and look after the good of the American citizen.
As to deportation, I have never said to deport anyone. But what I have said is, go after the unlawful, illegal employers who are suppressing wages in this country by bringing in illegal labor. Yes.
Illegal employers need illegal labor. But they're pushing off the expenses, the medical expenses, social expenses, off on the rest of the American taxpayers instead of bearing that responsibility.
CHETRY: Lou Dobbs, a lot of great points. And we're so glad you could join us today.
DOBBS: Kiran, always good to be with you.
CHETRY: And we want to remind our folks to tune in tomorrow. We have a special Lou Dobbs town hall. It's live from Hazleton, Pennsylvania.
I think you like that graphic better, right?
DOBBS: You better believe it.
CHETRY: "Broken Borders," a Lou Dobbs primetime special tomorrow night, 8:00 p.m. I know I'll be watching, and I'm sure many, many will.
Lou, thanks a lot.
DOBBS: Thanks, Kiran. ROBERTS: Told you Lou had a few ideas to talk about.
Up next, the other side of the debate. A radio talk show host who is leading the charge for change joins us up next.
And does your doctor have a too-cozy relationship with the drug company? In fact, cozier than the one he has with you?
We'll get some insight from our own Dr. Sanjay Gupta when AMERICAN MORNING comes right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ROBERTS: Twenty-two minutes after the hour.
How well do you know your American history? If you're going for citizenship, like I did a number of years ago, it's stuff that you need to know, and it's all online.
CNN's Jacki Schechner is here.
JACKI SCHECHNER, CNN INTERNET REPORTER: Yes, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has just created a citizen's almanac, and the idea is it's designed to be handed out at naturalization services. There are some 700,000 people who go through the citizenship service every year. But frankly, we could probably all stand to download the primer ourselves, so I'll give you an idea what it's got inside of it.
It's got the lyrics to the -- I can't even say "Star-Spangled Banner," let alone sing it. But...
ROBERTS: That's the one that begins with the words, "Jose, can you see..." Right?
SCHECHNER: "Jose, can you see." Yes.
The Gettysburg Address, famous speeches like this. Obviously historical documents. And also, I thought this was interesting, Supreme Court cases, landmark Supreme Court cases.
It's got all the presidents inside, and it's also got prominent -- all right. Let's stop. English, first language.
ROBERTS: You sure about that?
SCHECHNER: Not today. Foreign-born American citizens like Bob Hope, Alexander Graham Bell and our very own John Roberts, who apparently also invented the telephone, by the way. We created the screen. But they've got -- did you see that?
ROBERTS: This is great. I like that. Yes.
SCHECHNER: Yes. You introduced the telephone in 1876.
ROBERTS: Fantastic. But I'm a little older than I thought I was if I created the telephone in 1876.
SCHECHNER: You're aging very, very well. The gray hair gives it away.
And you also have pocket-size versions of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.
So, all of these resources online. And they've also got flash cards online if you're studying for the citizenship -- should I stop?
ROBERTS: It's OK. We'll do English as a second language next hour.
SCHECHNER: Should I just stop? Really. You said -- but you can scroll through them, and this gives you an idea of how you can study for this test, the questions and the answers.
ROBERTS: This is terrific.
SCHECHNER: Isn't it great? Yes. So you can download these all and take a look, too. Yes.
ROBERTS: I remember when I took my oath of citizenship it was the week after 9/11.
SCHECHNER: Was it really?
ROBERTS: Yes. And there were people from about 120 different countries there. And the judge said, you know, "One of the provisions of the oath of citizenship is to bear arms for your country. And in the wake of what happened just last week, I can understand if nobody wants to take the oath."
SCHECHNER: Anybody leave?
ROBERTS: "So we'll just allow you to sit down and sit it out here." And to a person, everybody stood standing up and took the oath of citizenship.
SCHECHNER: Wow. That's a great testament.
ROBERTS: Very proud moment. Everybody wanted to be an American.
SCHECHNER: It sounds exciting.
ROBERTS: Excellent. Good to see this stuff. It's very good. Not just for...
SCHECHNER: You can go online and read it. Clearly, I can't speak.
ROBERTS: Not just for potential citizens, but for everybody else.
SCHECHNER: For us. We all clearly are going to need it, too.
ROBERTS: Thanks, Jacki.
SCHECHNER: Sure.
ROBERTS: We'll get you those English lessons coming up next hour.
Twenty-four after the hour. Here's Kiran.
CHETRY: They are vital.
Twenty-four past the hour, as you just said, John. And Stephanie Elam is "Minding Your Business" this morning.
And you have some cheap gadgets for us today.
STEPHANIE ELAM, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes. We're talking a little bit about this cheap camcorder.
It comes out from Pure Digital, and what is so cool about it, at least according to the company, is you can actually take your videos and download them straight on to YouTube and sites like that. That's what's the cool new thing about this gadget.
It's pocket size, and it said that the video is better than your phone or your webcam. Flip Video is the name of the product, and it comes out today. It's geared towards older, less tech-savvy consumers. And they're also targeting moms as well who just want to take videos of their kids playing soccer and then getting them right on to YouTube, as well.
It's got software built in so you can upload the video online, right from your camcorder. It also has a USB port, so you can connect it right on to your PC or your Mac.
Get this. It runs on two double A batteries, as well. So it's very convenient to use. It makes it very...
CHETRY: How much is it?
ELAM: And for 30 minutes -- well, there's two versions. There's one that has 30 minutes of memory, and then there's one at 60 minutes.
The 30 minute is just $119. It's actually kind of cheap. The 60 minute retails for $149.
And Pure Digital is a company you may not know, but the thing about them, they're the ones who make those cameras that are disposable that are sold in grocery stores all over the place.
CHETRY: Right.
ELAM: So this is kind of their trend. This is what they like to do.
CHETRY: That's funny you mention that, because we all have taken tons of video of our kids, and then it just stays in our camera because you have no idea what to do with it next.
ELAM: And how to get it, because the files are big. And you're like, how to get it over this -- and now you can just do it and send it out to anybody.
CHETRY: And that's pretty cool.
ELAM: Yes.
CHETRY: Anyone sending in those I-Reports, how about that? You have a new tool.
ELAM: Yes, exactly, if you can do it. You've got a new way you can do it.
So, look for it today. It's out at all the major retailers -- Target, Costco, Best Buy.
CHETRY: Nice. Stephanie, thanks so much.
ELAM: Sure.
CHETRY: And we have the latest on breaking news out of Iraq this morning. Has the leader of Al Qaeda in Iraq been killed? Those were the reports today.
We're live from Baghdad, next.
And if you're looking for a short answer, don't ask a presidential candidate about immigration. How this hot topic has really become a political hot potato.
You're watching AMERICAN MORNING. The most news in the morning is here on CNN.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ROBERTS: Breaking news. The leader of Al Qaeda in Iraq reportedly killed overnight, not by U.S. forces, but by rival militant groups.
What it means for the fight for Iraq and the war on terror on this AMERICAN MORNING.
And good morning to you. It's Tuesday, May the 1st.
I'm John Roberts in Washington.
CHETRY: And I'm Kiran Chetry, here in New York. Good to see you this morning.
(NEWSBREAK)
ROBERTS: We begin, though, with breaking news this morning. Out top story, U.S. and Iraqi officials are racing right now to identify a body that might be that of the leader of al Qaeda in Iraq. Abu Ayyub al-Masri was one of the most wanted terrorists. He was reportedly killed by rival militant groups over overnight. Will that make a difference in Iraq or the overall war on terror, for that matter?
Terrorism expert Sajjan Gohel joins us now from London.
So, John, the fact that the claims that al-Masri was killed come from tribal leaders, rival Sunni tribal leaders, do they give you more or less confidence that this may have happened?
SAJJAN GOHEL, TERRORISM ANALYST: Well, it's going to be very interesting as to what has transpired. The claims that you're talking about, they seem very certain that al-Masri was killed. I think, as you mention, until we get proper confirmation, especially from the U.S. command on the ground, this is just conjecture and speculation.
It would be very interesting if it's the case, because the stories are also suggesting that he was killed by infighting with other Sunni insurgent groups, and there has been talk on Islamic web forums that al Qaeda in Iraq has met with opposition from different insurgent outfits inside Iraq. So it'd be an interesting development.
ROBERTS: Yes, paint for us, Sajjan, if you could, the dynamic here between these rival Sunni groups. It used to be that al Qaeda and the Sunni militants were marching, if not in lock step, certainly to the same tune, but that's been changing in the last few months.
GOHEL: Well, yes, indeed. In fact, the insurgency in Iraq is very diverse, it's complex and involves a number of multiple outfits with their own leadership, their financing, their own cell structure.
Certainly in the past they were bonded by one primary goal, which is to undermine the security apparatus, and in addition to also try and create pressure on the new Iraqi government by launching devastating mass-casualty attacks.
But you're seeing fractures develop, especially within al Qaeda in Iraq, ever since Abu Musab al Zarqawi, the former leader, was killed in a U.S. airstrike last year. Since then there have been splits emerging between followers of al Zarqawi and al-Masri. And al- Masri was very close to al Qaeda the central command base in Pakistan.
ROBERTS: And of course some of these Sunni militant groups, and tribal leaders now as well, siding with the United States, saying they're tired of what al Qaeda is doing out there in Anbar province and Diyala province.
Sajjan Gohel, thanks very much. Appreciate your being with us this morning.
GOHEL: My pleasure.
CHETRY: Well, their numbers may be smaller than last year, but thousand will still take to the streets today in cities across the country for immigrant rights. Eddie Sotelo helped super-size rallies last year in Los Angeles by calling his radio listeners to action.
He joins us now from his studio in Glendale, California.
Eddie, thanks for being with us.
Can you hear me, Eddie?
EDDIE SOTELO, RADIO HOST: Yes.
CHETRY: Hi, Eddie. You look like you're multitasking there.
But you're live on AMERICAN MORNING. So, hi.
SOTELO: You're live on my show, too, at the same time. So if you can speak Spanish, good morning.
CHETRY: OK, buenos dias.
SOTELO: That's right, buenos dias, good morning. Everyone is listening to you right though (INAUDIBLE) show.
CHETRY: OK, well, I'm glad to be part of your show, as well. There have been some who are criticizing you because you weren't calling on people as much as last year to come out to the these immigration rallies. What's going on there?
SOTELO: Right now what we have is different events, you know, different ways to support immigration reform. Right now we're inviting people to become U.S. citizens, and we have reports that there's a lot of immigrants who are becoming U.S. citizen. You know, they're supporting the immigration reform. We're giving the information of the different events right now. We have a lot, a lot. At the same time, we're calling to the Congress to support immigration reform.
CHETRY: Eddie, let me ask you a quick question.
SOTELO: Yes?
CHETRY: What, in an ideal world, would be the immigration reform you think Congress should pass?
SOTELO: You know what, that question is for the politicians, the people that -- experts on this team. I'm not an expert; I'm just one person like another immigrant who just working to have the family united. That's -- I'm not a politician.
CHETRY: Let me ask you this, though -- what is the solution for the 12 million or sore, possibly many more, people that are undocumented in this country right now, some of who have had children and some of them who are facing deportation. What is the solution?
SOTELO: I think it will be, you know, good to have an immigration reform. You know, it's -- one of the most important subjects of the recent times. Politicians have the moral obligation to form a legal outlet for this situation.
CHETRY: Right, a legal outlet. But what happens now in terms of people who are already here? The one thing the president has talked about is offering some sort of touchback where you need to pay a fine and you can go back to your home country for a certain amount of time and then you can come back. Is that something that seems to makes sense? Is there support for that?
SOTELO: You know what, I think it's impossible to deport 12 million people that is already here, who's already working here, who already has children going to school. They're trying to help the nation, the nation to be more stronger. So I think that, you know, everybody deserves an opportunity to be here legal, and this is, you know, another question for the politician for the answer for you.
CHETRY: All right, well, Eddie Sotelo joins us this morning from his radio show. Thanks for being with us.
SOTELO: Thanks a lot.
ROBERTS: Thirty-six minutes after the hour.
Congress is expected to begin discussions at a new immigration bill later this month. Will anything happen, or will it be kicked down the road for the presidential candidates to deal with? And how have they changed their positions?
John Dickerson is the chief political correspondent for slate.com. He's with us this morning. So do you think there's going to be an immigration bill this year, or is this just going to be sort of like last year again, that they'll talk about it and then can't come to terms?
JOHN DICKERSON, POL. CORRESPONDENT, SLATE.COM: When you talk to folks on the Hill, they're pretty downcast about the prospects of this. Both sides are having a tough time putting the numbers together. Speaker Pelosi in the House said to the president, look, you're going to have work this bill. I'm not going to work it the way I did, say, the Iraq supplemental, getting Democrats on board. And that's, in part, because a lot of these new Democrats that came in with this last election had immigration ads run against them, and they're worried about getting label with the amnesty label the same way a lot of Republicans are.
ROBERTS: And if you are to get an immigration bill, you've got to bring together such disparate personalities such as Ted Kennedy and Jon Kyl.
DICKERSON: That's right.
ROBERTS: That's like the old Star Trek thing of matter and antimatter meeting, this gigantic explosion and the world suddenly evaporates.
DICKERSON: And politicians get nervous about 700-page bills that they are not going to read, and that can easily get framed by the opposition so they have a very complicated argument about a comprehensive bill, and the other side has a simple argument of amnesty, and that's worked pretty well for opponents of comprehensive reform.
ROBERTS: So how is this playing out there on the presidential campaign trail? Is it a huge issue yet? It seems everybody is still talk about Iraq.
DICKERSON: They are. It's a bigger issue for Republicans than Democrats. And republicans have a lot of confusion among their top three candidates, McCain, Romney and Giuliani. All have very evolving positions on this issue.
For the Democrats it's less of an issue, but it's interesting to hear Democratic candidates talk about it. They're very tough. You listen to Hillary Clinton, she talks about rounding up the illegals. John Edward also talks about making them learn English. So it's something the Democratic candidates don't want to get on the wrong side of either, even though they support this comprehensive idea.
ROBERTS: It really is interesting to watch the Republicans who demonstrated such, you know, lockstep discipline, now the ones that are all over the map, and the Democrats are the ones that seem to be moving all in the same direction. But when you look at somebody like Romney and McCain, because McCain is the guy who's really the leader on this. Romney is out there talking about illegal immigration, immigration reform using the words remember McCain-Kennedy. I mean, for John McCain to have his name attached on the back of the train there as Ted Kennedy, that can't play too well among conservatives.
DICKERSON: That's right. And McCain is moving away from this, saying, well, we're trying to get a bill that actually works this time, but it's not something he wants to talk about or be in the forefront of. He gets asked about it a lot at these townhalls, particularly in Iowa, and we'll see. We have a debate at the end of this week. We'll see how the other candidates bring this up where McCain is concerned.
ROBERTS: And what about Giuliani, who when he was the mayor of New York talked a lot of about immigration, protecting immigrants. Ellis Island was his favorite place to visit. I don't want to say he's flip-flopping, but maybe your words are a little more gentle here that there is an evolving position with Rudy Giuliani on immigration.
DICKERSON: That's right, he's evolved. Now what he says is, well, it's after 9/11, so now it's a security issue, so some of my previous views have evolved because of the circumstances. But again, you have the top three candidates who have a messy position, and this leaves an opening for Fred Thompson, you know, this candidate/not candidate waiting in the wings who has the right position on immigration, as far as conservatives and the Republican Party are concerned, and he can use this to distinguish himself from the three top men in his field.
DICKERSON: He looks like he is just waiting for everybody to trip over their shoelaces and then he's going to walk in and sort of pick everything up.
ROBERTS: John Dickerson, always good to see you. Thanks for coming in.
DICKERSON: Thank you.
ROBERTS: Appreciate it.
(NEWSBREAK)
CHETRY: Coming up, doctors accused of cozying up to drug companies in some instances. What does it mean for your health and your next visit?
Dr. Sanjay Gupta takes a look.
Also, introducing something new this morning. We're looking for CNN heroes. We're going to meet the first in our series next on AMERICAN MORNING. The most news in the morning is on CNN.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(WEATHER REPORT)
ROBERTS: You've heard the commercials, ask your doctor about a certain drug, but are drug companies getting too close to your doctor? New studies show they just might be. Dr. Sanjay Gupta is live in Atlanta.
Sanjay, what did the study find?
DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN SR. MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: You know, it's kind of interesting, there's been a lot of concerns for some time about the relationship between physicians and the pharmaceutical industry. So a survey actually from the "New England Journal of Medicine," trying to look at this $20 billion relationship, found some interesting things, John. First of all, about 94 percent of physicians across the board have some sort of relationship with the pharmaceutical industry. As you might guess, it really varies in terms of what those relations are, specifically about 83 percent would receive free meals or free beverages, for example, 78 percent would receive free drug samples. So, sort of interesting finding there.
If you break it down even a little bit further, John, about a third of doctors actually have some sort of -- they get some sort of payment for consulting services or something like that. And the doctors that meet most frequently with pharmaceutical representatives are family practitioners, the ones that are most likely to get money, to get payments are actually cardiologists. So it's a survey, John, sort of interesting thing here.
There's been a lot of relationship studies in the past, but this one of the largest ones, John.
ROBERTS: So they found this association and it's tighter than they even thought it was in the past, but is there a cause and effect here in terms of how you might be treated?
GUPTA: Good question. Couple things to keep in mind. There does seem to be some correlation between the number of visits, for example, from a pharmaceutical representative to a doctor's office and that doctor's prescribing habits. So there does appear to be some relationship there. What people in this article stated, some of the editorials around it have stated as well, is that it's not always a bad thing. For example, doctors do get educated about certain medications because of these pharmaceutical reps, even before the data comes out in the journal articles, but, you know, obviously, just the relationship that exists at all is of some concern to people.
ROBERTS: So what should a patient do? A lot of patients are intimidated by their doctors. They don't want to ask them questions about even what's wrong with them. Can you go in to a doctors office, and say, hey, before you treat me or before you prescribe medication for me, I want to know what your connections to the drug companies are?
GUPTA: Yes, you know, that probably does get somewhat awkward. There's no question that that's sort of the nature of the discussion between you and your doctor.
I think that there are a couple good questions to ask if you're being prescribed a medication, why this particular medication, for example. Also, is there a generic or older version? There's a lot of push toward new medications, not necessarily because their better, but because they're newer. Would something generic, older, cheaper perhaps work?
And also, what are the specific side effects, and how long has the drug been studied?
John, as you know, you know, newer drugs are obviously going to have a shorter time being actually studied in the mass market. So you may not know all the side effects. You want to ask those sorts of questions. That will really get you the answers I think you're driving at.
ROBERTS: And as we've seen in the past, even drugs that had been on the market for quite a while had problems and are either pulled or warning boxes put on. All good advice, though, Dr. Sanjay Gupta.
Thanks, John.
CHETRY: CNN NEWSROOM is just minutes away. Tony Harris is at the CNN Center with a look at what's ahead.
Hi, Tony.
HARRIS: Hey, Kiran, good morning to you. On the "NEWSROOM" rundown for you this morning, Iraq trying to confirm the reported death of al Qaeda's in Iraq's top man. Immigration Nation coverage, rallies across the country today, pressing Congress on immigration reforms. We will talk live with a border rancher, a Congressman and our own Lou Dobbs.
And get ready for a bumpy flight. Listen to this. Airlines pull out a menu of new fees this summer. How's 10 bucks to check a second bag and 15 bucks for an aisle seat.
Heidi is with me in the NEWSROOM, and we get started at the top of the hour right here on CNN.
Kiran, back to you.
CHETRY: That's why you stay there in Atlanta and I'll stay here. We just can't take flying any more.
HARRIS: Beautiful, there you go.
CHETRY: Tony, thanks so much.
And a programming note for you, Larry King celebrating 50 years of broadcasting all week. Oprah Winfrey is joining Larry King. We don't even say Oprah Winfrey any more; it's just Oprah, right, 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time -- John.
ROBERTS: Well, check out this video that was sent to us by an I- reporter in Richmond, Texas. Traffic was stopped on Highway 90 and an 18-wheeler was stuck on the train tracks. Watch what happened. The train was coming and the train plowed right through the truck. The driver was in the cab at the time, but amazingly he was not hurt. Neither was anyone else. Wow, just incredible video.
And if news breaks and you have your camera or even your camera phone, send us your I-Report at CNN.com/ireport.
Coming up, we'll introduce you to a man that we think is a hero. He's teaching kids to read in a very unusual way.
And if necessity is the mother of invention, what does that say about the guy who came up with the shoe that holds a shot?
Stay with us on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
CHETRY: This week we're launching a special series called "CNN Heroes." Not only will we be sharing the stories we find, but we'd like you to nominate your heroes for special recognition. We begin with a man whose life's work is encouraging kids to read. And not in the usual ways.
Thabiti Boone is our first CNN hero.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Dear, Mr. Boone, my name is Michelle Dejesus (ph) and I'm in the fourth great. This neighborhood that I live in is not a good scene to me. I see a lot of crime and dangerous things in this neighborhood.
THABITI BOONE: I am from east New York Brownsville, Brooklyn, New York. Like many young people when come from this community you have no chance, no hope, there's no joy to go to school. My name is Thabiti Boone and I chose a different path. My father didn't want to be a father. My mom was too young at the time to take me to the hospital. So I was stuck in the middle with no direction.
My life could have been, I'm angry, I want to fight the world, but something said, you know what, I'm going to make a difference. I'm going to make it out of here, and I'm going to be one of the ones to come back.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Mr. Boone, you mike learning fun for us. By you coming back it shows my classmates and me that you care about us and our education.
BOONE: Our young people are in such a crisis of lack of love, lack of interest, lack of hope, lack of heroes. The Read to Succeed program is a unique program that connects sports, entertainment and hip-hop to self-development and success through the importance of reading. Bam, that's it. So students have to read on a continuous basis. They have to learn how to do oral presentations, stand in front of the classroom, develop confidence.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: This program taught me and my classmates that we can be anything in life if we just work hard.
BOONE: You may want to dream to be an athlete or entertainer, but at the end of the day that might not be what you're supposed to be. But let's have a program that teaches you how to self-discover many gifts and talents.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Thank you so much. You're like a father to us. We love you so much, sincerely, Michelle Dejesus.
BOONE: There's a piece of who you are that's connected to where you came from. So if you go and don't come back, you're walking around half dead.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
CHETRY: Wow. So if you know someone in your community who is championing children, like Thabiti Boone, you can nominate them for a CNN Hero Award.
Go to CNN.com/heroes.
And here's a quick look at what CNN NEWSROOM is working on for the top of the hour.
HARRIS: See these stories in the CNN NEWSROOM. Reports say al Qaeda's top man in Iraq has been killed.
Nationwide rallies today. Immigrants hope to prod Congress on reform. They'll also protest surging deportations.
The Arizona sheriff who is cracking down on illegal border crossers with flare and controversy.
And the gator that tied up traffic in Texas. NEWSROOM top of the hour on CNN.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ROBERTS: Well, just when you thought every idea was taken, a company is now selling sandals with a compartment that will hold about one ounce, a shot, of your favorite beverage. The sandals cost $46. Obviously, more of a novelty than anything because you tell me who's going to take a shoe shot. Not going to happen, Kiran.
CHETRY: Oh, I could list off a whole list of names right now, you know. When you're desperate, you know you're sitting there, you're in the ninth inning, you're thirsty.
ROBERTS: You're going to go drink from your shoe.
CHETRY: It doesn't necessarily have to be alcoholic. You know, it could save your life. It could be an ounce of water.
ROBERTS: You know, drinking champagne from a woman's shoe is one thing, but having a shot from your sandal, I don't think so.
CHETRY: The B-rated version of that, of what you said first. Well, that does it for us here on AMERICAN MORNING, but we're happy to say, John, you're going to be joining us here tomorrow.
ROBERTS: I'll be out there next to you in New York tomorrow. We'll see you then. CNN NEWSROOM with Tony Harris and Heidi Collins begins right now.
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