Democrats ready immigration push for Biden’s early days
 

In preparation for President-elect Joe Biden to drop a sweeping immigration reform bill as soon as he enters office, congressional Democrats and advocates are drafting legislation, taking the temperature of Republicans — and gearing up for what they hope will be the defining chapter in a decadeslong battle to pass a pathway to citizenship for all undocumented immigrants.

Biden has said he plans to “immediately” introduce an immigration bill after taking office on Wednesday. And top Latino and immigrant advocacy groups who’ve seen details of the coming package said they were stunned by the boldness of Biden’s plan.

On Thursday, Biden, Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, policy advisers and three Latino Cabinet nominees met with advocates to outline the president-elect’s immigration, coronavirus and economic agendas.

Hector Sanchez Barba, head of Mi Familia Vota, who has criticized Biden on immigration policy in the past, wouldn’t share specific details discussed in the private meeting. Still, he said, Biden’s plan “is the most aggressive agenda that I have seen on immigration reform from day one — not only the legislative package, but also executive orders.”

In the meeting, Susan Rice, who will lead Biden’s Domestic Policy Council, was adamant that the incoming administration wasn’t about to introduce comprehensive immigration reform to simply let it sit on a shelf, said Jess Morales Rocketto, executive director of Care in Action.

“We were totally floored by the immigration plan and the level of clarity,” she said.

Domingo Garcia, a board member and former president of the League of United Latin American Citizens, said Biden’s team told attendees of the meeting the bill would give 11 million undocumented immigrants a pathway for citizenship, with an eight-year wait as a permanent resident. Biden also plans an executive order instituting a “four-year extension” of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.

The eight-year time frame, outlined by Harris during an interview with Univision this week, was a disappointment for Garcia who said he plans to push for a five-year wait instead. During the meeting, Biden also told advocates not to hold him to “100 days” to pass immigration legislation because impeachment proceedings in the Senate “could slow things down,” said Garcia.

Some on the call, like Garcia, thought Biden was attempting to lower expectations. But others on the call, Morales Rocketto said, thought Biden was making a good-natured joke about pushing legislation through a jam-packed calendar during the impeachment process.

And Democrats, aware of the difficulties, are split on the best way to proceed. Democratic lawmakers expect Biden’s proposal to establish a starting point. But big questions remain about what could be included in a coronavirus recovery package instead of an expansive immigration bill. Some lawmakers say they want Biden to get whatever he can get passed as soon as possible, even if it means adopting a more piecemeal approach. Others argue a true overhaul of the nation’s immigration system can only happen in one large package forcing Congress to meet the issue head-on.

Meanwhile, Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-Texas), backed by more than a dozen labor and immigrant rights groups, said he is planning to introduce legislation allowing undocumented essential workers to apply for permanent resident status. Under the bill, those workers would be eligible to apply for citizenship in five years. In a press call on Friday, incoming Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) said undocumented immigrants on the frontlines "deserve not just Covid protections and labor protections but the security of a pathway to citizenship."

“I hope the Congress and our nation will recognize that these immigrants stepped up when the United States needed the most and put themselves in danger every day by serving as essential workers during this deadly pandemic,” Castro said in an interview.

Rep. Veronica Escobar (D-Texas) said a “piecemeal” approach is not an option. “The administration has a very limited window of opportunity before House members begin running for reelection,” she said. “Every day that passes is a day that the window shuts just an inch more...We’ve got to get it done in one fell swoop.”

Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) agreed. Taking a step-by-step approach, such as attaching legal status for select groups to must-pass bills poses a “great risk” one that would leave some undocumented immigrants uncovered.

Still, soon-to-be Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin acknowledged the dicey road ahead with a tied Senate and slim majority in the House. “I am realistic. I have been in the middle of this battle for two decades,” said Durbin, adding that he has to take Biden’s immigration goals and “ translate them into a 50-50 Senate and a 50-50 Senate Judiciary committee.”

“I'm not ruling out a larger bill, but I want to take it a step at a time,” said Durbin (D-Ill.), who along with Menendez, has started conversations with his GOP colleagues. “I don't want to overplay my hand. I want to be mindful that bipartisan support is essential to victory in the Senate.”

Key Democratic lawmakers and congressional staff have been in “constant communication” with Biden’s transition team and policy writers about the immigration plan, said Rep. Raul Ruiz (D-Calif.), chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. “We're going to have to be flexible in our strategic approach and with the ultimate objective of getting legislation signed into law.”

Castro’s coming bill establishes a broad definition for essential workers that could cover some 5 million undocumented immigrants, including Dreamers and Temporary Protected Status recipients, according to an outline first shared with POLITICO. And it could be passed as a standalone bill, or as part of coronavirus relief or an immigration package, Castro said.

The measure will define essential workers as any worker who has “performed any service or labor” during the pandemic including in sanitation, health care, retail and construction, and any worker deemed essential by state or local entities. It would also provide a pathway for the family members who’ve had to stand in for any essential worker who died due to Covid-19 and promotes a pathway for relatives to promote family unity.

Biden’s proposal is expected to provide an avenue for some essential undocumented workers but whether it goes as far as Castro’s proposal is uncertain.

Rep. Sylvia Garcia (D-Texas) said she supports including status protections in a coronavirus relief bill for agriculture and meatpacking workers who are undocumented. Democratic lawmakers and advocates said based on conversations with Biden’s team — as well as Biden’s comments -- they are confident Biden will take a different approach to immigration than President Barack Obama. The immigration policy advisers Biden’s added to his team from advocacy groups like America’s Voice and The Immigration Hub are a positive sign, they said.

“We’re all ready to work and take our marching orders,” said Garcia.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/democrats...235601227.html

Re: Democrats ready immigration push for Biden’s early days
 

we need a permanent solution man fuck this, this is not real this is to calm people down but 11 million dollars bill would never pass.

Re: Democrats ready immigration push for Biden’s early days
 

Pardon my english skill, I couldn't understand fully. Can someone tell me if a DACA recipient who has not been working during the Pandamic, they won't be included to the Castro's bill?

Re: Democrats ready immigration push for Biden’s early days
 

Any immigrant that was an Essential Worker during the pandemic would be included in Castro’s bill. A DACA recipient who hasn’t worked wouldn’t be covered

Re: Democrats ready immigration push for Biden’s early days
 

They could pass this through reconciliation by attaching it to something, otherwise it won't

Re: Democrats ready immigration push for Biden’s early days
 

From what I read, if you are not working, you're not covered. You would not be considered essential.

Re: Democrats ready immigration push for Biden’s early days
 

I see. Thank you. If I work at a hair salon, would I be considered as essential worker? And do you think if I start working in few days, Would I be covered?

Re: Democrats ready immigration push for Biden’s early days
 

Nobody really knows without looking at the bill. It would be folkish your legalize just some DACA people.

Re: Democrats ready immigration push for Biden’s early days
 

No. Barbershops and hair salons are not essential. People can live without getting a haircut or coloring their hair.

Here you can see the list of professions that are considered essential:

https://www.khq.com/list-of-jobs-dee...d72e8db3e.html

Re: Democrats ready immigration push for Biden’s early days
 

*sigh*

Dead on arrival. Watch nothing happens next 4 years.

Re: Democrats ready immigration push for Biden’s early days
 

Lmao

“Wahhh weak democRATS never even try anything!!! Wahhh”

Democrats push for something

“Wah wahh DOA!!!”

Re: Democrats ready immigration push for Biden’s early days
 

Update: bill to be released on Wednesday

Re: Democrats ready immigration push for Biden’s early days
 

Well, right off the bat it seems DACA is getting extended to four years with executive action if I read correctly.

Then, there's Castro's immigration proposal for essential workers, DACA and TPS. That part deserved highlighting, which it's a desservice to all by the op.

Something is gotta give. Remain positive.

Re: Democrats ready immigration push for Biden’s early days
 

It took me 10 mins to copy that and paste it using a smartphone. I’m not your minion. Try complaining less in life.

Re: Democrats ready immigration push for Biden’s early days
 

Try controlling your emotions a bit better. Being too impulsive and sensitive can turn out problematic in life.

Cheers!

UPDATE: You need a better phone.

Re: Democrats ready immigration push for Biden’s early days
 

full comprehensive reform won't pass. Legalization for DACA/TPS is likely. It will be hard to legalize 11+ million undocumented immigrants given the current economic crisis. Legalizing dreamers who are pretty much already Americans will be easier to pass.

Re: Democrats ready immigration push for Biden’s early days
 

Agreed. It's too broad but at the same time it's exactly what's needed to make the economy thrive again so who knows.

Re: Democrats ready immigration push for Biden’s early days
 

so cashier at a grocery store is covered while someone with a master's degree in engineering is not covered :smile: this bill is a joke

Re: Democrats ready immigration push for Biden’s early days
 

Thanks for the info!

Re: Democrats ready immigration push for Biden’s early days
 

So what if we get a part time job at the grocery store?

Re: Democrats ready immigration push for Biden’s early days
 

This is discouraging. If they try to push for all 11 million, there is no way this will pass and they know it. Why are they not trying to pass DA with compromise? It's the most common sense thing.

I guess we can enjoy renewing our permits every four years instead of two now.

Re: Democrats ready immigration push for Biden’s early days
 

so it fails in senate and they can say:

"Oh look, repulicans voted no. Please vote democrat."

makes this their talking point for 2022 election.

repeat for 2024 presidential election.

Re: Democrats ready immigration push for Biden’s early days
 

I hardly agree with Pianos, but he is right. Let's see, said the blind man.

Re: Democrats ready immigration push for Biden’s early days
 

People here pretend they know what they’re talking about regarding politics but some of them don’t have a clue how bills are passed

A bill comes to congress and by the time its passes both chambers it’s a totally different bill than the original. We all learned this in grade school. Look at the ACA. It’s final version is nothing to original version that was introduced. By the end, Republicans had raped it many times over. Then Americans got this joke of a health care that’s far from being universal


You guys ever sold a car? If you want $2500 you don’t start it at $2500 you add some overhead because people will low ball you.


If Democrats who now control Congress come to the republicans with a “comprehensive” bill that already gives the wall, tougher immigration laws, ect ect. Republicans are going to take that $2500 offer and tell them “you know what I’ll give you $1500 take it or leave it. $1500 just for us to begin negotiating this” Republicans will keep lowballing Democrats until the final CIR is worse than it was when introduced.


Democrats need to come to them with a ridiculous bill. Legalization for ALL, no border wall no tougher immigration laws. Everything opposite of what Republicans want. Because by the time they come to anything remotely agreeable, it’ll be butchered enough that maybe we get a bone.

Re: Democrats ready immigration push for Biden’s early days
 

Hence why I strongly support groups like UWD - USA Democrats are at best centrists leaning towards the right. Biden ain’t a liberal. He’s a hardcore or at least a mild conservative. Anyone who knows him will agree.


Did 20 years of not doing what UWD is yelling for worked? You all keep crying 4 Democrats didn’t vote on the DA while forgetting every republican majority leader has said no to introducing anything the Democrats have passed. You keep forgetting all the Republicans who vote no. You all keep expecting the Republicans to do the right thing while clinging so hard to keeping the Democrats accountable for hurting your feelings

Re: Democrats ready immigration push for Biden’s early days
 

Sounds good to me. Looks like there are multiple bills and multiple ways to pass them. (1) rider to covid bill (2) reconciliation (3) appropriations (4) stand alone

Dems have a lot of powe

Re: Democrats ready immigration push for Biden’s early days
 

Also... a lot of you were saying we Dreamers are of a specific category and should not be lumped in with " everyone else" (AKA better, more elite than other immigrants). Using that same logic, why would you then be opposed to the most essential worker Dreamers to get relief first? And even more specific category of Dreamers that are "the most important" right now?

Not saying I agree with that approach, just calling out ways people lack consistency in what they say and again, throw everything out the window, making themselves looks stupid just so they can get theirs.

Re: Democrats ready immigration push for Biden’s early days
 

@2Face:

Re: Democrats ready immigration push for Biden’s early days
 

Compulsions and emotions on a forum? Seems like somebody takes the internet too serious.

Re: Democrats ready immigration push for Biden’s early days
 

Not gonna pretend I fully understand the technicalities involved in passing legislation but No. 1, 2 and 3 seem likely to work, not so much 4.

Interesting weeks coming ahead. I'm really getting my hopes way up this time, it feels like a make or break situation to define our presence in this country.

Re: Democrats ready immigration push for Biden’s early days
 

I already knew that. That should be a revelation to you and others on here who were truly expecting Green Cards in the first 100 days. I'm expecting Democrats (Schumer and Company) to continue kicking the can further and I also expect heavy opposition from big immigration Groups led by UWD. Joe Biden is the only guy I trust amongst everyone. He can get it done, nobody else.

Re: Democrats ready immigration push for Biden’s early days
 

This is make or break year. If nothing is done than we are all screwed forever. But at least we will know the answer.

Re: Democrats ready immigration push for Biden’s early days
 

With a simple majority and ability to attach bills in other bills (thats what I've been hearing) there truly should be no excuse any more. Its got to get done.

Re: Democrats ready immigration push for Biden’s early days
 

Re: Democrats ready immigration push for Biden’s early days
 

Listen to Big D Durbin folks

Piecemeal is the way

Re: Democrats ready immigration push for Biden’s early days
 

Yeah I think any bill Dems bring as standalone bills are destined to fail and they know that. They also know that they have enough power to pass what they want through reconciliation or appropriations. Therefore if they are talking about stand alone immigration bills then they’re not serious about them passing. To see their real priorities watch they attach (or don’t attach) to must pass bills. Everything else is for show.

Re: Democrats ready immigration push for Biden’s early days
 

Whether a comprehensive or piecemeal approach, I am confident something will be done this time.

Re: Democrats ready immigration push for Biden’s early days
 

This year?

Re: Democrats ready immigration push for Biden’s early days
 

UWD is against that. They want "immediate citizenship" for all and no border security.

Re: Democrats ready immigration push for Biden’s early days
 

I wouldn't worry about them. Congress doesn't really listen to them in the end. Dems gave Trump funding for fencing.