Ambitious Pace Set for Immigration Task Force : Congress: Rep. Gallegly heads the group that hopes to list proposals by end of June. It will consider tougher border enforcement and counterfeit-proof ID card.

A congressional task force on immigration reform, headed by U.S. Rep. Elton Gallegly of Simi Valley, hopes to complete its list of comprehensive recommendations by the end of June, House Speaker Newt Gingrich said Wednesday.

Setting an ambitious pace for a crackdown on illegal immigration, Gingrich said the group, intends to consider a whole range of strategies--from tougher enforcement of the borders to a counterfeit-proof identification card. The task force, which held its first session in private Wednesday, plans a trip to the Mexican border and hearings with mayors and governors in affected regions.

Although the effort will not begin in earnest until after Republicans complete work on the “contract with America” next month, Gingrich said he expects “very bold reform” to move through the House no later than September.

In a sign of the bipartisan importance that the issue has taken on, Democrats and Republicans alike have signed onto Gingrich’s fact-finding task force.

Leading the group is Gallegly, a Republican who was talking tough on immigration before the issue caught on nationally. One aim of the task force, Gallegly said, will be to send a blunt message to potential immigrants across the world.

“If you are thinking about coming to this country illegally, forget about it, and if you’re here already, pack your bags,” Gallegly said at a press conference outside the Capitol after the group’s orientation meeting.

Some effort will be made to seal the flow of immigrants across the border, Gallegly said. But he acknowledged, as well, that there may be a need for immigrants to work in temporary jobs in the United States.

“If there is a need for workers and there are workers from other countries that can fill that void, then let’s make it legal,” Gallegly said.

In addition to his own proposals, Gallegly said he is soliciting ideas from the 41 lawmakers--33 Republicans and eight Democrats--who accepted his invitation to join the group. The reform package will be coordinated by an 18-member steering committee, he said.

One of a handful of Democrats on the steering committee, Rep. Anthony C. Beilenson, said there is a range of strategies on which the two parties can agree.

“I disagree with Newt Gingrich on many issues but I find myself in general agreement on illegal immigration,” he said.

Beilenson, who represents parts of Thousand Oaks, said one of his priorities will be a method to help employers discern who is legally entitled to work--whether by developing a tamper-proof card or a computer database.

The task force includes lawmakers from across the country, although there is strong representation from Southern California.

Among the local Democrats are Rep. Howard L. Berman (D-Panorama City), Rep. Jane Harman (D-Rolling Hills) and Rep. Gary A. Condit (D-Ceres). Republican members include Rep. Howard P. (Buck) McKeon (R-Santa Clarita), Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-Huntington Beach) and Rep. Jay C. Kim (R-Diamond Bar).

“The United States has had a huge ‘Come on in’ sign that has been seen all over the world,” said Rohrabacher. “We mean business. We’re taking down that ‘Come on in’ sign.”