rssProspects Remain Grim for Comprehensive Immigration Reform
Monday, August 30, 2010 at 2:24 pm
- 13 Comments
This weekend Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) shot down prospects for a comprehensive immigration reform bill in the fall, telling constituents that “reform isn’t going to happen this year.” It’s not a surprising statement, but it’s bad news for advocates of comprehensive immigration reform, particularly because Merkley is working with Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) on a reform bill.
Facing an electorate that supports at least the idea of immigration reform, but also Republicans who refuse to support it, leading Democrats seem to becoming more pessimistic about prospects for immigration reform this year. Instead, they are attempting to lay the groundwork for a later effort.
After passing a $600 million border security bill earlier this month, Schumer said he hoped the bill could help win over Republican support for comprehensive immigration reform. “This bill is enormously important because it will clear the path for the bipartisan discussions we need to have about our immigration system,” Schumer said at the time.
The question is when that will happen. The White House declined earlier this month to give a timetable for when they would like to see comprehensive immigration reform legislation, and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s spokesman has said the effort lacks the votes to proceed. This is a far cry from his statements back in April, when he promised immigration reform this year.
The best bet for reforming the immigration system this year lies with smaller bills, and immigrants rights groups have attempted to push for these measures instead. If this happens, the future of comprehensive immigration reform is still unclear, according to Mary Giovagnoli, director of Immigration Policy Center.
“We don’t have a good measure anymore of what will happen once we get something discreet like the DREAM Act passed,” she says. “But when the sky doesn’t fall in and if people still get re-elected after supporting DREAM, it may show members of Congress that leaning into the immigration issue and voting for comprehensive immigration reform could help them politically.”
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Pingback posted August 30, 2010 @ 3:19 pm
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[...] Prospects Remain Grim for Comprehensive Immigration Reform « The … [...]
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[...] by on August 30, 2010 Hello there! If you are new here, you might want to subscribe to the RSS feed for updates on this topic.Powered by WP Greet Box shot down prospects for a comprehensive immigration reform bill in the fall, telling constituents that “reform isn’t going to happen this year.” It’s not a surprising statement, but it’s bad news for advocates of comprehensive … Read more here: Prospects Remain Grim for Comprehensive Immigration Reform « The … [...]
Comment posted August 31, 2010 @ 3:44 am
What does this mean 'Reform will not happen this year' are u joking with the lives of people….there are people and families suffering and waiting for a solution and you tell it will not happen..this is clearly violation of human rights …….
Pingback posted August 31, 2010 @ 6:13 pm
[...] Prospects Remain Grim for Comprehensive Immigration Reform « The Washington Independent. [...]
Comment posted September 1, 2010 @ 1:39 am
something has to be done on immigration if we want the economy to move forward. these people surely will buy houses, cars, spend on other things once they are assured that they can live here without fear.
Comment posted September 3, 2010 @ 5:55 am
these people surely will buy houses, cars, spend on other things once they are assured that they can live here without fear.
Pingback posted September 13, 2010 @ 12:40 pm
[...] immigration reform already stands on shaky ground, but what would happen if a reform bill included a provision that granted gays and [...]
Pingback posted September 17, 2010 @ 6:09 am
[...] the lawmakers said they hope to pass as soon as possible. (Prospects for passing a bill, of course, remain bleak, particularly with the current anti-immigrant fervor.) The three politicians said they will meet [...]
Pingback posted September 20, 2010 @ 1:40 am
[...] Prospects Remain Grim for Comprehensive Immigration Reform « The … [...]
Pingback posted September 20, 2010 @ 2:56 am
[...] Prospects Remain Grim for Comprehensive Immigration Reform « The … [...]
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Prospects Remain Grim for Comprehensive Immigration Reform | The ……
Here at World Spinner we are debating the same thing……
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