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House GOP Strategy: Offer 'Dreamers' Citizenship, Stick It to Democrats

http://www.nationaljournal.com/congr...crats-20130724

Quote:

An emerging coalition of House Republicans is arguing that young immigrants brought to the U.S. illegally as children constitute "a special protected class" that should eventually be eligible for citizenship, an approach they say combines sound policy with smart politics.

Conservatives remain adamant, however, that no such legislation be considered until a border-security bill is passed and tough enforcement triggers are in place.

This thinking represents an important shift within the House Republican Conference, where many members have long vocally opposed providing "amnesty" to anyone living in the U.S. illegally. At the same time, it underscores the emphasis on what conservatives have called a "border-first" mentality—that legalization should not be legislated until new border-enforcement laws are on the books.

House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va., is the driving force behind the strategy to focus on legalizing undocumented youths. According to Republican aides, passing such a bill would equip Republicans with a reasonable answer to the question of what to do with the 11 million people living in the U.S. illegally. It would also force Democrats into a political lose-lose: Either endorse a GOP proposal that legalizes so-called "Dreamers" or oppose this longtime policy goal and hold out for blanket legalization for the entire undocumented community.

As one House leadership aide framed it, "How can they say no to the kids?"

Cantor's push, which has the blessing of Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, is also endorsed by House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte, R-Va., and several influential conservatives such as Reps. Raul Labrador of Idaho and Jim Jordan of Ohio. It's still early—Cantor and company have yet to release any legislative language—but lawmakers predict that such a measure will garner majority support in the oft-fractured House Republican Conference.

"I think a majority would support this, yes," Labrador told National Journal on Wednesday. "But there must be border security first."

On Tuesday, the Judiciary Committee's Immigration and Border Security Subcommittee convened a hearing aimed at distinguishing young illegal immigrants, who unwittingly violated U.S. immigration law, from their parents, who knowingly entered the U.S. illegally or overstayed their visas.

Many of the Judiciary members—including Goodlatte and Subcommittee Chairman Trey Gowdy, R-S.C.—have long opposed a comprehensive approach that would include providing citizenship to illegal immigrants. But at Tuesday's hearing, these lawmakers and many of their conservative colleagues voiced support for legalizing the young undocumented community.

"The law treats children differently," Gowdy said, calling them "a special protected class." He later added: "Children who were brought here have not committed a crime."

Another Republican member, Rep. Ted Poe of Texas, said of the so-called Dreamers: "They did not consent to the act; they did not make that determination mentally. I think, therefore, they should be treated in a special way."

Nearly all of the Republican members of the Judiciary panel echoed that sentiment Tuesday, with one noticeable exception: Rep. Steve King. The Iowa lawmaker, known as the House's leading immigration hawk, expressed irritation that the committee was holding a hearing to discuss a bill that hasn't been written. Meanwhile, King continues to draw criticism from a bipartisan assortment of colleagues after recently telling Newsmax, "For everyone who's a valedictorian, there's another 100 out there that weigh 130 pounds and they've got calves the size of cantaloupes because they're hauling 75 pounds of marijuana across the desert."

Labrador condemned King's comments Wednesday at a forum for conservative lawmakers, calling them "irresponsible and reprehensible." Labrador, who has butted heads with King over immigration for several months, also rebuked the media for giving King's remarks outsize coverage, arguing that the Iowa hardliner represents a "small, small minority" within the House GOP.

Outside of King's comments, though, Labrador said he was encouraged by Tuesday's "beautiful hearing." After listening to several hours of emotional testimony from witnesses and empathetic remarks from lawmakers, Labrador said he's confident Cantor's pending legislation would be backed by the majority of House Republicans.

"The Judiciary Committee is a very conservative committee, and almost all of the conservative members said yesterday that they would support it," Labrador told National Journal after Wednesday's forum.

Cantor has left open the possibility that his bill could hit the floor ahead of a border security vote, which is expected after the August recess. But with his legislative language yet to be written, and only five working days remaining before recess—not to mention conservative insistence that border security must come first—leadership aides acknowledge that it's unlikely to happen.

Even with House leadership expected to schedule the border security vote first, there is no guarantee that a majority of the conference will support any attempt to legalize the young undocumented population. Some conservative members complain that giving citizenship to Dreamers (a group named for the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors, or Dream, Act) will only incentivize more foreign parents to bring their children to the U.S. illegally. Others, meanwhile, say the Obama administration won't enforce the border-security measures Congress passes, and therefore they don't view it as a prerequisite to anything.

If Cantor's coalition is to succeed, House aides say, they must convince rank-and-file members that their plan is good policy as well as good politics. Aside from dealing with the complex, emotional issue of what to do with young illegal immigrants, they say, Republicans will practically be daring Democrats to turn their backs on the demographic they have long claimed to champion.

Some House Republicans have gotten the message, and are already antagonizing the other side in anticipation of such a showdown. Rep. David Schweikert, R-Ariz., said Wednesday that if Democrats choose to reject this hypothetical GOP proposal, they will have thrown Dreamers "under the bus" in pursuit of an all-or-nothing policy agenda.

It would signal, Schweikert said, "the exploitation of these kids by the very activists who have paraded them out front."

Republicans acknowledge, however, that there will be a host of complications in legislating who makes the cut for citizenship: Are they too old? Are they too young? Do they have family here? Have they been involved in any criminal activity? What level of education have they attained?

Cantor and company say they are willing to grapple with these tough questions. The toughest, however, is the one they should expect from Democrats: If you legalize young children, how can you advocate deporting their parents?

Republicans struggled to answer that question at Tuesday's hearing, but they insist that citizenship for Dreamers won't be allowed to cascade into citizenship for everyone. As Goodlatte, the Judiciary Committee chairman, said Tuesday: "I do not believe parents ... should be afforded the same treatment as their kids.”

Re: House GOP Strategy: Offer 'Dreamers' Citizenship, Stick It to Democrats

Quote:

According to Republican aides, passing such a bill would equip Republicans with a reasonable answer to the question of what to do with the 11 million people living in the U.S. illegally.

The only reason Republican want to pass Kids Act is because they want to avoid CIR and yet not appear to be anti-immigrants. This way, they would have some leverage on the issue of immigration in election year.

Re: House GOP Strategy: Offer 'Dreamers' Citizenship, Stick It to Democrats

yes, whatever it takes to pass a bill with the age cap of 30

Re: House GOP Strategy: Offer 'Dreamers' Citizenship, Stick It to Democrats

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pianoswithoutfaith (Post 502228)

yes, whatever it takes to pass a bill with the age cap of 30

If CIR passes and Dream Act passes with age cap 30 or whatever than I am happy. Whatever it takes!

Re: House GOP Strategy: Offer 'Dreamers' Citizenship, Stick It to Democrats

200 years for GC thought

Re: House GOP Strategy: Offer 'Dreamers' Citizenship, Stick It to Democrats

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pianoswithoutfaith (Post 502228)

yes, whatever it takes to pass a bill with the age cap of 30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pianoswithoutfaith (Post 502234)

200 years for GC thought

GC is better than DACA and/or undocumented!

Re: House GOP Strategy: Offer 'Dreamers' Citizenship, Stick It to Democrats

This age debate will be sh*tshow to end all sh*tshows.

I wonder what the legislative language is like since they are now suddenly sympathetic. Where was this sympathy in 2007 and 2010 when I was a youngin?

Re: House GOP Strategy: Offer 'Dreamers' Citizenship, Stick It to Democrats

Well get on it GOP, what's taking long? Jesus...

Re: House GOP Strategy: Offer 'Dreamers' Citizenship, Stick It to Democrats

Im not gonna lie i listened to the debate and Gowdy mentioned age 24 as his limit and didn't mention anything above. I could be wrong since I was studying for finals while listening

Re: House GOP Strategy: Offer 'Dreamers' Citizenship, Stick It to Democrats

better do this junk now! im 23 !!!

Re: House GOP Strategy: Offer 'Dreamers' Citizenship, Stick It to Democrats

The Democrats should call the Republican bluff. Anything short of CIR will keep the Republicans from having support of immigrants. The best strategy here to take what you can get now - ie. Dream Act, still be pissed at the Republicans enough to where they lose more seats and more Presidential elections, and then watch them pass CIR in 2-4 years. I don't see how CIR would pass within 2-4 years anyway with this House of Representatives. They don't "get it" yet.

I will reserve the right to laugh at you guys who keep mentioning what age cap you think is fair, knowing full well it leaves out other dreamers if it turns out that you yourself are aged out! Hehehe (As Paulie on the Sopranos would say)

Re: House GOP Strategy: Offer 'Dreamers' Citizenship, Stick It to Democrats

Quote:

Originally Posted by lasthope09 (Post 502272)

Im not gonna lie i listened to the debate and Gowdy mentioned age 24 as his limit and didn't mention anything above. I could be wrong since I was studying for finals while listening

Hope not. But wouldn't be surprised.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DreamBig09 (Post 502279)

better do this junk now! im 23 !!!

LOL, see I'm 27 so I'd fight this bill. Sorry.

Re: House GOP Strategy: Offer 'Dreamers' Citizenship, Stick It to Democrats

Quote:

Originally Posted by lasthope09 (Post 502272)

Im not gonna lie i listened to the debate and Gowdy mentioned age 24 as his limit and didn't mention anything above. I could be wrong since I was studying for finals while listening

Yeah,I heard something about 24 years old as well but it was about most of the Dreamers he had encountered.I'm thinking the kid's act might be an under 25 years old bill which is why I mentioned if individuals don't start putting pressure on Cantor or Goodlatte it might not be fair legislation to all Dreamers.

Re: House GOP Strategy: Offer 'Dreamers' Citizenship, Stick It to Democrats

They better not have an age cap. I ain't gettin' any younger.

Re: House GOP Strategy: Offer 'Dreamers' Citizenship, Stick It to Democrats

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ianus (Post 502314)

The crazy thing is that it bifurcates DREAMERs into two groups. Those who received DACA and are outside of the limit (24) vs those who are granted legalization.

I hated the age limit for DACA for this reason because coming in when you are child means coming in when you were a child.

Interestingly, the immigrant groups that I'm following are all pressed against this so nobody is actually initiating a dialogue with Cantor et al regarding the legislation. The full court press has been for CIR since there are more interest groups (like businesses etc) that can go after the House.

I do think people should press for CIR, but the more articles I read, the more I don't know how it's going to go in the next couple months.

Re: House GOP Strategy: Offer 'Dreamers' Citizenship, Stick It to Democrats

Ah youngin's . When the original Dream Act was introduced in August of 2001, I was a month into being 27. Worst case I thought, it'd take them a couple of years...I'd be under 30 by then. So hopeful until September of 2001.

Re: House GOP Strategy: Offer 'Dreamers' Citizenship, Stick It to Democrats

Quote:

Originally Posted by kabs (Post 502330)

What I find ironic is the fact that the DREAMer that testified before the House Judiciary Committee is also outside of that age cap. Maybe there is a provision dealing with DREAMers with DACA. I don't know. Either way, none of the advocacy groups are getting behind this.

Quote:

“When members of Congress tell me that I deserve an opportunity to earn citizenship and my mother does not, I tell them that if anyone deserves that opportunity to earn citizenship, it is my mother, Rosalinda,” said Rosa Velazquez, a 30-year-old Arkansas resident and graduate student who was brought to this country illegally when she was 5 years old.

Source

It is what it is. These idiots are playing games, but don't realize they will receive more of the blame if CIR fails than anyone else.

Re: House GOP Strategy: Offer 'Dreamers' Citizenship, Stick It to Democrats

Quote:

Originally Posted by DA User (Post 502375)

DA was introduced on 9/12/01.

http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d107:S1291:

August 1, 2001. If I remember correctly, everything was shut down on 9/12/2001 and I was afraid to leave the house.

Re: House GOP Strategy: Offer 'Dreamers' Citizenship, Stick It to Democrats

Quote:

Originally Posted by IamAman (Post 502379)

http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d107:S1291:

August 1, 2001. If I remember correctly, everything was shut down on 9/12/2001 and I was afraid to leave the house.

I remember this because my mom was trying to apply for a special waiver at the time and things got pushed aside as soon as 9/11 happened.

I'd be stating the obvious that this changed how America viewed immigrants.

Re: House GOP Strategy: Offer 'Dreamers' Citizenship, Stick It to Democrats

Quote:

Originally Posted by kabs (Post 502380)

It did change the views, no doubt about that.

I remember my mother use to get her License renewed by just going with her Social, after 9/11 they made it so much more difficult for everyone.

Re: House GOP Strategy: Offer 'Dreamers' Citizenship, Stick It to Democrats

Quote:

Originally Posted by freshh. (Post 502363)

I don't know. Either way, none of the advocacy groups are getting behind this.

If you look at the electoral map it still looks like the House Republicans might maintain a majority next year because of redistricting,but I also think there might challenges from the right or an effort to harden the GOP position against any reform efforts if there is a potential stalemate in this Congressional cycle.The advocacy groups need to be a bit more careful concerning their early efforts of condemnation without details.I understand they're very concerned the House GOP is writing the 'Kid's Act' without input from Democrats or with any advocacy organizations but we should not bring the cart before the horse and wait until details are released in the coming months.

My other main concern is if House Republicans win next year we might have to wait on what new President will be elected and will they be favorable to continuing DACA should the current immigration efforts come to a stalemate.

Re: House GOP Strategy: Offer 'Dreamers' Citizenship, Stick It to Democrats

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ianus (Post 502393)

It is disappointing to hear that the age cap could be under 25, though. It's laughable that they would exclude most of the same activists that helped make DACA possible and the original DREAMers who have been waiting on this bill since 2001.

Would the House have to conference with the Senate over a DREAM Act bill if KIDS Act passed?

Or will they have to conference with the Senate over the Senate's comprehensive bill if any immigration related bill passes the House? I remember reading that several House Reps were scared that if anything immigration related, including border security bills or even the DREAM Act, passed the House, then that would lead to the "Senate bill being shoved down their throats".

Re: House GOP Strategy: Offer 'Dreamers' Citizenship, Stick It to Democrats

they could totally surprise and put no age cap but the KIDS name in it kind of gives it away

Re: House GOP Strategy: Offer 'Dreamers' Citizenship, Stick It to Democrats

Quote:

Originally Posted by freshh. (Post 502399)

I have to say that it was just a suggestion concerning Gowdy and the age restriction,but he is not writing the bill....only Cantor and Goodlatte are doing so.I suspect that Goodlatte might be responsible for most of the legal language since he was a former immigration attorney and has been a lawmaker for some time.This is why it might be up to individual Dreamers and not the organizations that represent them at this point to try to promote for fairer legislation if possible.

The articles that I'm reading are saying that after dealing with Dreamers the subject of dealing with other undocumented will be dealt with via likely a work visa[w/ travel authorization] only and most if not all of this will have to be meshed with the Senate bill.I'm expecting a completely new immigration bill to be written in conference between the two Congressional bodies if they can agree on a process on how to come up with a bill and are willing to negotiate further.They are likely to be led by Leahy on the Senate side and Goodlatte on the House side in conference,I think.What is most concerning on the House side is who will be the conferees,but I think anything the House passes will have to moderate to possibly get through the Senate!

I'm thinking at this point when everything is final

-Dreamers will likely get a path to citizenship
-Anti-fraud measures are going to be high so other undocumented are not able to get on this pathway.
-Dreamers who Naturalize will likely be applying for permanent residency for their parents.

The hard parts I think during Negotiations will be
-Should Dreamers abroad be allowed a chance to apply from abroad,

-What initial status is given dependent on the trigger[and what type] and how fast that would lead to US residency,

-Whether to include an age limit or not.If one is proposed how does that affect aged out dreamers.

I think the most prevalent immigration argument on why older dreamers should be included is to just to look at the implementation of CSPA and the many individuals who aged out with pending petitions.

Re: House GOP Strategy: Offer 'Dreamers' Citizenship, Stick It to Democrats

Christ, I need to start looking for a girl to marry or start plotting what I'm gonna do after. Only got like 2 or 3 years left of guaranteed status.