Hispanic reps targeting immigration reform

Ianus · 10-11-2009, 03:10 PM

Well it looks like it is mainly the Hispanic Caucus in the House that is leading the charge on immigration reform,at least they are putting forth a good faith effort to this mess as oppose to some of the rest of the House Democrats.

Quote:

WASHINGTON — Hispanic lawmakers in the House are writing an immigration reform bill that will outline the minority community's position before the debate begins in Congress.

The House and Senate are not expected to take up comprehensive immigration reform until next year, but those involved in writing the bill say the legislation being prepared by Rep. Luis Gutierrez, D-Ill., will lay down a marker on what is expected.

Members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus are behind the effort to lay a legislative blueprint.

Rep. Charlie Gonzalez, D-San Antonio, said the bill is “a marker so everyone understands we are unwavering on what we refer to as comprehensive legislation.”

Gonzalez, the first vice chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, said the bill would include a pathway for citizenship for the estimated 12 million unauthorized immigrants in this country.

Similar measures in the past have been opposed by Republicans in the House and Senate, who consider it an amnesty for lawbreakers.

“This bill is not going anywhere this year, and I would be surprised if it goes anywhere next year, in an election year,” said Rep. Lamar Smith, R-San Antonio.

“The American people are opposed to amnesty, and this is an amnesty bill,” said Smith, the ranking Republican on the House Judiciary Committee, which has oversight of immigration laws.

The Congressional Hispanic Caucus staunchly supports citizenship measures, as well as a reduction in the backlog of application for family visas.

The bill is expected to include a robust employment verification system to eliminate exploitation of unauthorized workers.

Gutierrez, who heads the caucus' task force on immigration, told supporters last month that the legislation could be ready to be introduced in the House by the end of October.

“We simply cannot wait any longer for a bill that keeps our families together, protects our workers and allows a pathway to legalization for those who have earned it,” Gutierrez said.

Advocacy groups that favor immigration reform and citizenship for unauthorized immigrants are pressing Democratic lawmakers to move on the legislation.

Gutierrez and caucus members are holding a prayer vigil on the West Lawn of the Capitol on Tuesday, when a broad outline of the draft legislation will be unveiled.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., has said the House will wait for the Senate to first act.

A comprehensive immigration reform bill in 2007 died in the Senate when Republicans objected to measures in the bill that included citizenship status for unauthorized immigrants.

Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., chairman of the Senate Judiciary subcommittee on immigration, is expected to file an immigration bill late this year or early next session.

Until then, President Barack Obama has appointed Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano as the point person for a House-Senate task force to identify areas of mutual understanding to move forward on immigration reform.

The working group includes administration officials, as well as Republican and Democratic lawmakers.

Immigration reform advocacy groups are disheartened by the administration's pace on achieving reform and have pressed allies in Congress to move ahead of the White House.

“The president has consistently said we would begin work on comprehensive immigration reform this year, and that's what we are doing,” a White House spokeswoman said.

Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., a sponsor of the 2007 bipartisan bill that died in the Senate, warned that one stumbling block to immigration reform could be organized labor's opposition to temporary, or guest worker programs — a measure sought by business groups.

And Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, who helped defeat the Senate bill, said citizenship proposals would have to follow strengthened border security.

Cornyn said Congress had to regain the confidence of the American people and show “that we are serious about border security and work site enforcement, and about enforcing reasonable immigration laws.”

Although debate over immigration reform will begin in earnest next year, Democratic lawmakers are being pressed by advocacy groups to set the tone and the pace.

The National Association of Evangelicals, representing 40 denominations and groups, called for urgent reform of immigration laws.

“Efforts to maintain secure and efficient borders have been ineffective and, too often, inhumane,” said Leith Anderson, NAE president.

The miles of fence being installed along the U.S.-Mexico border “doesn't make any sense,” said Rep. Solomon Ortiz, D-Corpus Christi.

“What we have to do is put better technology and border patrol on the ground,” Ortiz said.

Ortiz and Gonzalez both concede that tackling immigration reform in an election year will be difficult.

Guajardo · 04:27 PM

Obama needs to help generate jobs, decrease the unemployment rate and bring stability to the financial markets.

I think all of those will likely need to be accomplished first or else the opponents will cite the economic situation as a reason to oppose the measure.

Obama will be hammered constantly if the unemployment rate keeps rising in 2009-2010.

dado123 · 10-11-2009, 05:56 PM

I hope Obama uses all of his legislative capital to push this through.

exaltedkernal · 10-11-2009, 06:34 PM

"the American people are opposed to amnesty"
This is ridiculous. Wasn't there a poll earlier this year that showed that the majority of Americans support a pathway to citizenship?

Mona Lisa · 10-11-2009, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by exaltedkernal

"the American people are opposed to amnesty"
This is ridiculous. Wasn't there a poll earlier this year that showed that the majority of Americans support a pathway to citizenship?

Amnesty is different than "a pathway to citizenship."

I wish Lady Gaga could help us like she is helping the Gay community.

dtrt09 · 10-11-2009, 09:40 PM

To all congressional wankers:

They "concede that tackling immigration reform will be difficult in an election year". Blah, blah, blah, blah.

So, since they are pretty much telling everyone that reform cannot pass this year; it will likely NOT pass next election year; and probably NOT in the presidential election year 2011....what the f***k is the purpose of all this media circus? You don't prove anything, and sorry, but no, it will not buy you votes. I cannot vote, but citizens in my family can, and they will not vote for anyone who betrayed immigration reform. I am sick and tired of empty words that don't make anything happen. Schumer, Reid, Pelosi, and yes, President Obama all put a shiny thing on our backs.

What's going to happen to the students who made it on the news and got deferred deportation? It expires for some of them next month, I think. Dream Act should be put to a vote; (I)245 should be reinstated, and AgJobs should be enacted.

I've written to some lawmakers about voting on the Dream Act this fall, and honestly don't see them moving to do it at all. Cowards.

Guajardo · 10-11-2009, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dtrt09

To all congressional wankers:

They "concede that tackling immigration reform will be difficult in an election year". Blah, blah, blah, blah.

So, since they are pretty much telling everyone that reform cannot pass this year; it will likely NOT pass next election year; and probably NOT in the presidential election year 2011....what the f***k is the purpose of all this media circus? You don't prove anything, and sorry, but no, it will not buy you votes. I cannot vote, but citizens in my family can, and they will not vote for anyone who betrayed immigration reform. I am sick and tired of empty words that don't make anything happen. Schumer, Reid, Pelosi, and yes, President Obama all put a shiny thing on our backs.

What's going to happen to the students who made it on the news and got deferred deportation? It expires for some of them next month, I think. Dream Act should be put to a vote; (I)245 should be reinstated, and AgJobs should be enacted.

I've written to some lawmakers about voting on the Dream Act this fall, and honestly don't see them moving to do it at all. Cowards.

We all should take into consideration that the recession and the economic effects are what's hindering many of the bills that are being considered, namely health care reform and energy policies and of course the DREAM Act why the economic recovery bills were the only ones to have passed so easily.

If there wasn't a recession and the economy was as healthy as it was back in early 2007 or prior then the DREAM Act would certainly have a better shot at passing.

dtrt09 · 10-11-2009, 10:53 PM

The economy wasn't what it is back in 2001, 2003, 2006, or to quote you, 2007, and the Dream Act didn't have a shot at being passed then. Opposers and enablers, both had a 'reason' why it shouldn't, wouldn't get voted.

Right now, it's (supposedly) health care reform; next month it will be the losing war in Afghanistan; the economy; and on and on and on. I don't buy it because health care, economy, energy, and all other 'issues' are part of every day life, in every country in the world, they are here today, and they will be here tomorrow. They are ALWAYS there, wether in times of recession or prosperity. It's a red herring. I won't drink the kool aid.

Vision · 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by exaltedkernal

"the American people are opposed to amnesty"
This is ridiculous. Wasn't there a poll earlier this year that showed that the majority of Americans support a pathway to citizenship?

I really hate to be a pessimist. >.>

But let's face the reality. From what I have seen all those immigrant news (even legal immigration), I see more negative remarks and negative poll results. IF you don't believe me, go to NY Times about immigration parts, and majority I see is angry US citizens.

Yeah I know they can be all manipulated and made up but in a way I think it shows some truth in it when many poll results look the same in big media.

All these Americans are being brainwashed that we are sucking them to dry all their resources(NOT TRUE in my opinion because many of us do contribute large bottom work force) and we spend their tax money for our education. (NOT TRUE in my opinion because many of us do pay taxes as well.) They don't understand what we go through because they never experienced life without car, financial aid, health care, and basic human rights.

They were never born in countries that treat their citizens crap and they complain like big babies. They probably even didn't visit countries that has no water, electricity, enough nutrient foods, safe transportations, no educations, and corrupt governments.

And if you surf a lot, you will also find many anti immigrant sites and discussion forums. Their community looks quite big, and in fact some of them might even be spying here and read this post. Well, they can speak their opinions freely in public because they have everything they need as US citizens, but we can't really speak up for our rights
BECAUSE:
1. Many of us are damn busy with work and living. After hours of labor, we go to sleep and wake up and go for work and repeat these cycles.
2. We are afraid of being deported if arrested for our rights.

Just a sad truth.

What I see from all the news, other discussion forums, all those vicious and ignorant comments, shows many are against DA. They just generalize or brainwash other Americans that it is just a another way for amnesty. We all know it is not true and there are many conditions that require, but believe it or not, you will find there are quite many inflexible minds and stubborn.

You can even see how America supports Glenn Beck. That guy is really a joke. I can't even believe there are people worshipping him

I know that there are some that support for us and know what we go through. But I wonder how many of them there are in terms of whole population.

K-Man · 10-12-2009, 01:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mona Lisa

I wish Lady Gaga could help us like she is helping the Gay community.

Why don't we get Matt Damon since he's active in politics too, at least he doesn't look dirty.

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Hispanic reps targeting immigration reform