White House to Begin Push on Immigration Overhaul in 2010

JyArete · 11-13-2009, 08:10 PM

Let's just hope she, Obama, and Congress keep their word!

Quote:

White House to Begin Push on Immigration Overhaul in 2010

The Obama administration will insist on measures to give legal status to an estimated 12 million illegal immigrants as it pushes early next year for legislation to overhaul the immigration system, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said on Friday.

In an address at the Center for American Progress, a liberal policy group in Washington, Ms. Napolitano sought to dispel any notion that the administration — with health care, energy and other major issues crowding its agenda — might postpone the most contentious piece of an immigration overhaul until after midterm elections next November.

Laying out the administration’s bottom line, she said it will argue for a “three-legged stool” that includes enacting tougher enforcement laws against illegal immigrants and the people who hire them, and streamlining the system for legal immigration, but also what she called a “tough and fair pathway to earned legal status.”

With unemployment surging over 10 percent and Congress wrestling with health care, advocates on all sides of the immigration debate had started to doubt that President Obama would keep to his pledge to take on the divisive issue of illegal immigration in the first months of 2010.

Congress should be ready to move forward on immigration, Ms. Napolitano said, because the administration had made a “fundamental change” in security at the border and in cracking down on employers hiring illegal immigrants. She said that the Border Patrol had increased its forces by more than 20,000 officers, and that more than 600 miles of border fence had been completed, both milestones set by Congress.

“Let me emphasize this,” she said. “We will never have fully effective law enforcement or national security as long as so many millions remain in the shadows.”

Under the administration’s plan, illegal immigrants would have to register, pay fines and all taxes they owe, pass a criminal background check and learn English.

Ms. Napolitano has been leading the administration’s efforts to gather support for the immigration overhaul, meeting in recent weeks with business leaders, faith groups, law-enforcement officials and other groups to gauge their support for the effort.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/14/us...iticsemailema1

JyArete · 11-13-2009, 08:50 PM

Rosier Prospects for Immigration Reform?

http://blog.newsweek.com/blogs/thega...on-reform.aspx

GX01 · 11-13-2009, 09:07 PM

So they are pushing back energy for us?
That sounds great.

Hopefully they can pass this!!!!! I can't wait any longer!

Ianus · 11-14-2009, 12:03 AM

For the moment I still think it is all talk,but it does seem they are trying to work something out.

Quote:

Sen. Charles Schumer (D., N.Y.), who will lead the overhaul effort in the Senate with Sen. Lindsey Graham (R., S.C.), said his office is working to produce "a tough, fair bill" that can get 60 votes in the Senate. "The administration has laid out a very ambitious agenda, but we are confident we can have a bipartisan immigration bill ready to go under whatever timeline the President thinks is best," he said in a statement.

Fish · 11-14-2009, 12:21 AM

Just as I was planning my self-deportation for next fall, they start rolling out good news? I guess it's gonna pass after all despite of the pessimism.

ThespianDreamer · 11-14-2009, 01:47 AM

It's always been 2010 since June in my honest opinion.

SuperGSPorty · 11-14-2009, 02:05 AM

It kind of seamed that the new administration had to much on its plate to do in one year. I really believe legislation will be enacted in 2010. That is why Senator Schumer is taking his time, so the bill contains parts that are favorable to all. By having the 60 secured we won the fight, considering the Senate is the hardest to pass legislation. As for the House, I think we got the votes from the big states with hispanic representation.

2Face · 11-14-2009, 04:19 AM

This is closer than ever. After a DECADE in this country, this is the climax of the struggle for the American Dream. It is also a new beginning! I can literally see myself driving on the highway right now blasting some crazy music with the windows rolled down!

dado123 · 11-14-2009, 07:17 PM

I have read this in the past, lets just keep on our fingers crossed that they will succeed.

DA User · 11-14-2009, 08:21 PM

Any news on when we will first see the Senate and the House version of this bill?

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White House to Begin Push on Immigration Overhaul in 2010