rssImmigration Reform Inching Up on the Agenda
Thursday, April 09, 2009 at 12:33 pm
- 7 Comments
As The New York Times reported in a front-page story today, President Obama is slowly coming around to saying he’s thinking that he’s probably going to do something about immigration reform at some point in the future, hopefully this year.
He might even talk publicly about it in May.
That’s as much political capital as the new administration seems willing to put behind the comprehensive immigration reform idea these days, given that it’s facing major push-back from Republicans and restrictionist immigration groups stoking the fears of many Americans that legalizing any of the 7 million or so undocumented immigrants already working here will take jobs away from lawful U.S. residents. At at time when the U.S. unemployment rate has reached 8.5 percent — the worst it’s been in decades — the restrictionist message holds some potency.
As Dave Gorak, executive director of the Midwest Coalition to Reduce Immigration said to me recently: “We’re concerned about economic justice for American workers. Especially now. Why should they be forced to compete with foreign workers who are here illegally — or foreign workers at all, for that matter? ”
Although it’s difficult to know how many people really feel that way, suffice it to say that this is a tough year to be arguing for legalization of up to 12 million illegal immigrants currently residing in the United States, even though there are strong economic reasons supporting legalization of undocumented immigrant workers, including the likely increase in wages and tax revenues.
On the other hand, Obama did win broad support from Latino voters during the 2008 presidential election, and has repeatedly promised in interviews with Spanish-language media and when addressing Latino organizations that he’ll make immigration reform a priority.
He’s now being pressured to make good on those promises.
Some advocates hope to chip away at the problem with legislation like the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act, happily known as the DREAM Act, which would provide a path to legalization for a small slice of the most sympathetic undocumented immigrants — the children of illegal aliens who’ve lived here at least 5 years, finished high school, are of “good moral character” and complete two years of college or military service. It’s hard to say no to that particular group, and even the AFL-CIO, which doesn’t always support the immigrant advocates’ agenda, says it’s on board with this one.
Then again, the bill did die last year in the Senate. But there are more Democrats to support it now, and it’s likely to have the backing of the White House: Obama supported it while campaigning, as well as similar legislation as a state legislator in Illinois.
Still, as Angela Kelley, director of the Immigration Policy Center, put it to me recently when talking about the DREAM Act, no one really sees that as a sufficient solution.
“It’s a good bill, but it nowhere begins to speak to being a solution to a problem that clearly needs to be addressed,” she said. “The American public voted in the president and new Democratic class in Congress because they wanted a change that meant solving tougher problems. Democrats are going to quickly find there is nobody to blame anymore on this as the months pass, if it’s not solved. There’s no more George Bush in the White House. The people making decisions at [the Department of Homeland Security] are the ones that Obama has picked.”
Obama is likely to find himself pushed in all different directions on this one.
7 Comments
Comment posted April 9, 2009 @ 12:17 pm
“At at time when the U.S. unemployment rate has reached 8.5 percent — the worst it’s been in decades — the restrictionist message holds some potency.”
The fact is that the huge levels of unemployment was never created by Undocumented workers. The people who are working in the shadows without papers are still holding their lowskilled jobs in the fields and backyards and toilet cleaners, floor cleaners, dishwashers and butchers etc,.. and are keeping the economy functioning.
Those who claim that bringing these people out from the shadows will cause more job losses is purely asinine!
And the major fact is we must scrutinize where these talking points are coming from? NUMBERSUSA, VDARE, Mark Krikorian, Rush, Sean and the other in the fringe of the GOP. The very same set of people who have caused GOP to become a minority party. if their arguments were so strong why did all the immigrant bashing representative and Senators lose their seats to more moderate house and senate democrats? Remember 2006 and 2008?
Fear mongering is the only straw these groups have to advance their racist agenda. We need not give any mileage to these fringe minority extremist groups and their talk show hosts!
Comment posted April 9, 2009 @ 1:12 pm
Obama is a very effective politician. Depending on his audience, he supports comprehensive immigration reform. But it is important to remember that no one advocated for C.I.R. more than George W. Bush—eight consecutive years—and he was defeated at every turn. And this was during a booming economy
Angela Kelly can say whatever she pleases but the reality is that C.I.R. doesn't have the votes. Sure, Congress is controlled by Democrats. But many are opposed to C.I.R.
And in 2010, 36 Senate seats are up for election. Those who want to win their races will approach C.I.R. with enormous caution. Voter, remember, must be citizens—and even Hispanic citizens oppose C.I.R.
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Comment posted April 21, 2009 @ 8:37 pm
GOPundit…What part of illegal do you not understand? They broke the law, bring crime,disease and cost us plenty in social services.
They are not just cooks…theuy handle our food…WITHOUT MEDICAL EXAMS….. Ever wonder why there is so much E. COli in our meat?
Do you really want to buy a home built by illegals? They have no education and probably never have seen a ruler much less can read one.
I do not want to support them…SEND THEM HOME and let Mexico pay to educate American anchor babies in English.
Comment posted May 7, 2009 @ 11:03 am
Dream Act seems to make the most sense at this point for beginning the conversation on Comprehensive Immigration Reform. Even at a time of economic crisis, legalizing talented high skilled immigrant youth will bring an impetus of fresh talent to the workforce
Comment posted May 7, 2009 @ 6:03 pm
Dream Act seems to make the most sense at this point for beginning the conversation on Comprehensive Immigration Reform. Even at a time of economic crisis, legalizing talented high skilled immigrant youth will bring an impetus of fresh talent to the workforce
Comment posted August 12, 2011 @ 9:08 pm
No Dream Act, No Free Entry for illegal aliens no matter what there reason is. They snuck into our country, took our SS, Healthcare, Food Stamps, Housing and you want to give them amnesty? Osama H Obama really have you guys fooled. The only reason he wants to push the Dream Act through is for him to hopefully use all these illegals to his advantage, they would vote for him and a vote for Obama is a vote for our end. The illegals will overrun this country, take control and take all our rights away from us. This has to be stopped before they ruin our country. They have free loaded off us long enough. Time togo home and live where you came from, no ifs, ands, or butts. The fresh talen you are talking about will lower wages, standard of living, raise violent crimes. No to the Dream Act, no to their amnesty. Make them earn it like anybody else would have to do
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