Sen. Chuck Schumer tries reviving immigration bill
 

Sen. Chuck Schumer tries reviving immigration bill

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Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., speaks on NBC's
Chuck Schumer will hold a July 26 hearing to argue the economic upside to immigration. | AP Photo Close
By CARRIE BUDOFF BROWN | 7/18/11 6:36 PM EDT

Sen. Chuck Schumer is attempting to revive moribund efforts to pass a comprehensive immigration bill, telling POLITICO Monday that he will hold a hearing next week focused on the economic argument for an immigration overhaul.

It’s a subtle shift in emphasis for immigration reform advocates, who met recently with Schumer (D-N.Y.) to plot a strategy.
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POLITICO 44

“We decided we ought to start highlighting the fact that immigration creates jobs rather than takes them away,” Schumer, the No. 3 Senate leader, said in an interview. “Everyone agreed that is how we are going to start talking about immigration, as a job creator.”

The change in emphasis capitalizes on an all-consuming focus in Washington on the economy. President Barack Obama spent several weeks in the spring pushing for immigration reform, including a speech that highlighted the economic benefits, but the issue has been overshadowed by budget negotiations and stalled by a Republican-controlled House.

The dismal job reports have also soured efforts to pass a bill that would allow the country’s estimated 11 million illegal immigrants to earn citizenship. The Center for Immigration Studies, which favors stricter immigration rules, released a report last month pointing to the rising unemployment rate as an argument for a further crackdown on illegal immigration.

But Schumer, chairman of the Judiciary Committee’s immigration subcommittee, said the July 26 hearing will argue the economic upside to immigration. Schumer is calling in business leaders to talk about the need for more highly skilled workers and mayors whose local economies have benefited from an influx of lower-skilled immigrants.

The witnesses includes NASDAQ chief Robert Greifield, Cornell University President David Skorton, Microsoft General Counsel Brad Smith, Amgen medical director Puneet Arora, and the mayors of Utica, N.Y., Lewiston, Maine, and Uvalda, Ga.

“Our immigration talks are moving along, and surprisingly well and regularly,” said Schumer, the Senate Democratic point person on the issue. “Immigration is a rough road and I’m making no predictions, but (the talks) are clearly not dead.”

Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories...#ixzz1SVWl8K00

Re: Sen. Chuck Schumer tries reviving immigration bill
 

CIR will pass first time its brought up.

Re: Sen. Chuck Schumer tries reviving immigration bill
 

This statement gives me some a sense of hope. Considering that Senators Graham and Schumer revealed earlier in the year that talks over immigration reform were at a basic stage, do these "talks" that are "moving along" include influential Republicans? I really hope so. Senator Schumer apparently does not want to reveal much, adding a little bit of suspense.

I also applaud the manner in which immigration reform is being handled. It is being handled carefully. Democrats, at least Schumer, clearly do not want to rush CIR by holding a hearing. If CIR does happen this year, the debate is going to be quite lengthy and rigorous.

Re: Sen. Chuck Schumer tries reviving immigration bill
 

I don't know why people still take Schumer seriously when it comes to CIR.

Re: Sen. Chuck Schumer tries reviving immigration bill
 

Why not? If an influential Republican such as Graham is willing to sit down and talk with Schumer about immigration reform, why shouldm't we take Schumer seriously? I don't see Senator Graham engaging in talks over immigration reform with Durbin, yet most of us respect Durbin and take him seriously over the DA.

Re: Sen. Chuck Schumer tries reviving immigration bill
 

Graham has shown in the past 2 years to be unreliable just like John McCain when it comes to immigration reform.


All the republicans in the senate are now for the border security first plan.

Re: Sen. Chuck Schumer tries reviving immigration bill
 

Why bring up such a heavily criticized bill by the American community such as the CIR?? Why not bring up a common sense bill that has more support from Americans like the DA?? This is clearly politricks.

Re: Sen. Chuck Schumer tries reviving immigration bill
 

I hope he mentions the importance of passing the dream act some time during the hearing

Re: Sen. Chuck Schumer tries reviving immigration bill
 

CIR will never happen.

Re: Sen. Chuck Schumer tries reviving immigration bill
 

This guy is twince of Obama who just talk but do nothing so far. If I am not mistaking his been crafting CIR/DA bill since 2008 but still we haven't seen anything from him. So what to expect now with Teaparty/Repubs controled in house??. Obama will have to put his power behind in order to pass anything.