It would be interesting if the current administration were to tackle something immigration related whether it be comprehensive or piecemeal in his first year.Anyway,this article states that should the administration not tackle anything comprehensive then it is on to PLAN B,or the piecemeal approach.
Quote:
Obama backed a comprehensive immigration reform proposed by Bush two years ago, seeking tougher border security and a path to citizenship for 12 million illegal immigrants living in the shadows. The proposal was killed by Republicans in Congress.
Activists on both sides of the immigration debate say he would be unwise to reopen a divisive fight over immigration as the country sheds half-a-million jobs a month amid the worst recession in eight decades.
Opponents say Obama is unlikely to tackle comprehensive reform until the second or third year of his term. Advocates say he could raise the issue as early as September if a stimulus package currently before Congress succeeds in stemming the economic slide, and if progress meeting other policy goals such as healthcare reform is made.
"If there's some signs of additional recovery ... and there's movement on healthcare, the country may say '(decisive action) is exactly what we voted for,'" said Frank Sharry executive director of the immigrant advocacy group National Immigration Forum. "He would be smart to bring up this issue."
PIECEMEAL ACTION
Short of pushing comprehensive reform in coming months, analysts say Obama may seek cross-party support for piecemeal immigration legislation.
Among options are support for the so-called Ag Jobs bill, creating a guest worker program to fill some seasonal farm jobs, or backing for the Dream Act, which would allow high-achieving, undocumented high-school students to seek permanent residency in the United States.
A surer bet, analysts say, is for the administration to use its discretionary powers to bring about a low-key shift in enforcement policy.
Instead of going after undocumented migrants in workplace raids, the administration may increasingly target their unscrupulous employers, or ramp up the use of E-Verify -- an electronic employment verification system that allows employers to check the eligibility of new hires.
"Advocates say he could raise the issue as early as September if a stimulus package currently before Congress succeeds in stemming the economic slide, and if progress meeting other policy goals such as healthcare reform is made."
