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Will immigration reform come to pass?

Remember that one sentence Obama coughed in SOTU about immigration? :confused: Apparently there's some possitivity to it.....motivation I guess.
Here's the article: http://weblogs.sun-sentinel.com/news...rm_come_t.html

Quote:

Will immigration reform come to pass?
Posted by William Gibson on January 29, 2010 02:47 PM

The White House and Senate leaders are preparing for a legislative struggle this spring to pass comprehensive immigration reforms, several advocates told reporters on Friday.

Frank SharryThe package most likely would combine intense enforcement at the borders and workplaces with a path to legal status for millions of unauthorized immigrants.

Reformers see a flurry of activity behind closed doors while the Obama administration and key senators say little in public that might draw a backlash from the Right and scare off moderates in Congress.

The strategy, they think, is to unveil a bill in the Senate, pass it quickly, and create momentum that would carry over to the House.

The issue is especially important in Florida, home to big immigrant communities including a million unauthorized foreigners. Reform gets support from both parties in the state but stiff opposition from many conservatives.

Proponents in Washington acknowledge they’ve suffered setbacks because of the Republican victory in a Massachusetts Senate race, the dire economy and the slow and troubled path of health-care reform.

“You are hearing more and more scared Democrats saying, either publicly or privately, `Do we really want to talk about immigration? Do we want to just talk about jobs? And wouldn’t it be nice if that issue (immigration) would just go away this year?” noted Frank Sharry, director of America’s Voice, a leading advocate for reform.

“Other Democrats are saying, `We really have to follow through on this issue, it’s important for the economy, it’s important for Latino voters…’”

Obama angered many advocates by his scant reference to their issue in his State of the Union address. Here’s what he said: “We should continue the work of fixing our broken immigration system -– to secure our borders and enforce our laws, and ensure that everyone who plays by the rules can contribute to our economy and enrich our nation.”

Just a few words, with no mention of “comprehensive reform” or a path to legalization.

“We were not happy with the drive-by mention of immigration reform,” Sharry said. “In a 7,000-word speech it came in at about word 6,300. We thought he might actually cough when he mentioned immigration.”

But Sharry said the White House “is moving full-speed ahead.” He pointed to meetings at the highest levels to prepare for an immigration debate. Leaders of the Senate Judiciary Committee, meanwhile, are negotiating over a bill.

The time for action is short. Reformers would like to see a bill passed before this year’s election campaign clouds the issue.

Expect to see and hear fervent demonstrations over the next few weeks in Florida and Washington from Hispanics and immigrants pressing for change.

“They know that if they don’t demand it, it’s not going to happen,” Sharry said.