Immigration reform could get overshadowed in Congress

Ianus · 12-30-2012, 04:56 PM

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationwo...,1823657.story

Quote:

WASHINGTON — The window to pass immigration laws next year is narrowing as the effort competes with a renewed debate over gun laws and the lingering fight over taxes and the budget, according to congressional staffers and outside advocates.

Key congressional committees are preparing for a package of gun control laws to be negotiated and possibly introduced in Congress during the first few months of next year. The shift would push the debate in Congress over immigration reform into the spring.

But as budget negotiations continue to stir tensions between Republicans and Democrats, and as lobbyists take to their corners over gun laws, some are concerned that the heated atmosphere could spoil the early signs of bipartisan cooperation on immigration that emerged after the election.

In phone calls over the holidays, White House officials sought to reassure advocates that the push for gun control won't distract President Obama from his promise to stump for new immigration legislation early in the year.

The uncertainty is feeding jitters that Obama may be unable to deliver on his long-standing promise to create a path to citizenship for the 11 million people in the U.S. unlawfully.

"I am concerned that an issue such as immigration where we can find strong bipartisan consensus will be demagogued and politicized, because that is the environment," said Alfonso Aguilar, a Republican strategist at the Latino Partnership for Conservative Principles, a Washington-based nonprofit.

New gun laws would probably have to pass through the Senate Judiciary Committee, the same committee that would work on an immigration bill that could be hundreds of pages long.

The tough work of hammering out a compromise over immigration in the committee would best be wrapped up by the end of June, congressional staffers said, in case one of the Supreme Court justices retires, which would set up a high-profile and time-consuming nomination process that could overshadow the immigration issue.

"Voters want to see action," said Clarissa Martinez de Castro, head of civic engagement and immigration for the National Council of La Raza. "If the American public every day has to grapple with multiple priorities, that is the least they expect from their members of Congress."

After the Dec. 14 school shooting that killed 20 children and six adults in Newtown, Conn., Obama tapped Vice President Joe Biden to head a task force that is expected to propose new gun control measures by the end of January.

"The question is: Would the Congress love to have something come along that would sidetrack immigration reform? I believe there are some members of Congress who would like that," said Eliseo Medina, secretary-treasurer of the Service Employees International Union, which represents more than 2 million workers.

"But the fact is, they won't have the luxury of ignoring it," he said.

The crowded agenda has not changed plans by advocacy groups to launch a nationwide publicity and lobbying campaign early next year to put pressure on lawmakers to support changing immigration laws.

"As horrific as the tragedy was in Connecticut, in the grand scheme of things, these issues can run on parallel tracks," said Mary Giovagnoli, director of the Immigration Policy Center, a think tank based in Washington.

"They are not in competition; they are complementary," said Angela Kelley, an expert on immigration at the Center for American Progress, a liberal think tank in Washington. "The White House can walk and chew gum, as can lawmakers."

"If [lawmakers] are working 40 hours a week, they should be able to get both done," she said.

Pianoswithoutfaith · 12-30-2012, 07:29 PM

COULD

it WILL

lol dont get you hopes too high guys

Demise · 12-30-2012, 07:53 PM

It's like the 111th congress. Immigration always being on the very bottom of the to-do list.

leo18 · 12-30-2012, 10:09 PM

Thanks a lot, Adam Lanza. May God have mercy on your soul.

Resistant · 01-01-2013, 04:32 AM

So what, we have DACA.

immigration truth · 01-01-2013, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Resistant

So what, we have DACA.

DACA isn't exactly complete security. Dreamers can't be complacent now, DACA is just a two year thrill ride that can be suspended at any time by any administration, this is the exact attitude our enemies want us to have. Dreamers have the right to and must chase citizenship, it's what we all deserve after all those years behind the shadows. America is our nation.

Pianoswithoutfaith · 01-02-2013, 04:09 PM

How of dreamers have a right to citizenship? Self entitled much huh

2Face · 01-02-2013, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pianoswithoutfaith

How of dreamers have a right to citizenship? Self entitled much huh

Hmm lets see..coz they are kids of about 12-13 million undocumented immigrants (I think this number is understated by couple million), a demographic that is supported entirely by the hispanic community that voted overwhelmingly for Obama. We are entitled to a PATH towards citizenship. Citizenship would take like a decade so nobody is asking for direct citizenship. This means conditional permanent residency.

Justin2014 · 01-03-2013, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pianoswithoutfaith

How of dreamers have a right to citizenship? Self entitled much huh

What is with you and self entitlement. Yes we deserve to live like human beings. We are asking for our freedom to live in the country that we have contribute as a group, we are entitled to our freedom.

2Face · 01-03-2013, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Justin2014

What is with you and self entitlement. Yes we deserve to live like human beings. We are asking for our freedom to live in the country that we have contribute as a group, we are entitled to our freedom.

Honestly I am ticked off by people who scold us for feeling "entitled" as well. There was another poster here before, not going to name names, who used to do this constantly. Guess what, he disappeared as soon as DACA was announced. The fact of the matter is, we're not leaving this place. Therefore, we must be adjusted to the same playing field as the rest of the permanent residents. We DO have to wait in the line behind those already waiting. I give you that. It all comes down to belief. If we don't believe we deserve it, we won't get it. Thankfully those Dream leaders don't think that way.

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Immigration reform could get overshadowed in Congress