Is immigration no longer a crisis?

The political points have been scored by the right on immigration, and now that it looks like an actual law might not be achievable, the Republicans are moving on. The hate was generated, "the base" energized, and now, apparently, the crisis is over.

I wonder how those who really cared about border security feel about being used like that?

President Bush has refused to meet with border law enforcement officials from Texas for a second time. His response to their request came in the form of a letter Monday, angering both lawmakers and sheriffs.

(Ted Poe, referenced in the article as pushing for hearings, is a nutball Republican Congressman from Houston who got famous for "alternative sentencing" when he was a judge. (for example, making someone wear a sign around their neck saying "I am a thief" for thirty days rather than going to jail.) He's a real piece of work.)