Ruben Navarrette: Democrats not what they seem on immigration reform

Ianus · 11-24-2012, 08:26 PM

http://www.nctimes.com/news/opinion/...7477f8a60.html

Quote:

After Latino voters helped re-elect President Obama – delivering the battleground states of Nevada and Colorado, and contributing to the victories in Florida and Virginia – a consensus quickly emerged among pundits and political observers that the quid pro quo would include comprehensive immigration reform.

But what does this even mean?

For nativists who fear the Latinizing of the United States, reforming the immigration system means building higher fences and rejecting anything that resembles “amnesty” for illegal immigrants. For the business community and high-tech industry, it means owning up to the fact that there are jobs that Americans either won’t do or can’t do, and making it easier for companies to recruit high-skilled workers from abroad. For those on the far left, it means an expedited pathway to U.S. citizenship for millions of illegal immigrants that would not inconvenience the recipients by making them meet any requirements.

Meanwhile, for the majority of Americans, it means a common-sense combination of three things: a temporary guest-worker program where people could come to the United States for a few years, then go home; stronger and smarter border security that keeps track of who is coming and going, and for what purpose; and a pathway to earned legalization for that portion of the undocumented population that has been here for many years.

When the media talk about the imminent arrival of comprehensive immigration reform, this is what is generally assumed: Supposedly, the tune-up to our immigration system that President George W. Bush first talked about at the White House with Mexican President Vicente Fox in September 2001 is a done deal. We’re told: Democrats want it, and Republicans need it.

The assessment is half right. The Republicans need it. But the Democrats don’t really want it. They’ve never really wanted it. They only say they want it to trick Latinos and immigration reform advocates into voting for them again and again.

Which is why reform probably won’t happen. We’ll have a debate but no solution will emerge from it.

So why don’t Democrats want comprehensive immigration reform? For the same five reasons that Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid teamed up in 2006 and 2007 with the nativist wing of the Republican Party to kill bipartisan bills and, in 2010, helped scuttle the DREAM Act – a mini-legalization program for college students and military.

• Democrats would rather not be known, in subsequent elections, as the “party of amnesty” and solidify their reputation for being dovish on border security. This would not help their chances with white and black voters who feel threatened and want stronger enforcement of immigration laws.

• They want to continue to have a club with which to bludgeon Republicans, and convince Latinos that the GOP is hostile to them and their concerns. This makes campaigning easier, and delivers them votes in crucial states that they haven’t earned.

• They want to please organized labor, which opposes any stab at immigration reform that includes mention of guest workers. That is, any proposal that stands a chance of winning the Republican votes necessary for passage because Democrats are so splintered on the issue.

• They want to avoid a contentious debate that would surely divide the Democratic base by pitting Latinos and immigration reformers against labor unions, African-Americans who feel displaced in the racial pecking order, and those who want to restrict immigration to protect U.S. workers.

• They want to preserve the current system, which works great for Democrats. They don’t do anything to fix the problem, so they don’t get saddled with any of the negative pushback they might get if they took action and Republicans used it against them. The GOP gets the blame for being “obstructionist.” Labor is happy. Latinos are duped. All is good.

• Don’t kid yourself. Regardless of the election returns and the turmoil now engulfing the Republican Party, Democrats in Congress have no appetite for comprehensive immigration reform. Now that Latino voters have let out a roar, Democrats simply have to be craftier in fooling these voters into thinking they’re doing their bidding while they continue to do what they want to do.

This is the inescapable paradigm of the immigration debate. Getting outraged at Republicans on Election Day didn’t change it. If you want to change it, try saving some outrage for Democrats.

chlehqls · 12:42 AM

I normally agree with Navarrette but this seems to be more emotionally fueled rather than seeing the bigger picture.

The fact is, the Democrats have way more to gain from CIR/DA than GOP will ever will. They know that the ball is on the GOP side to make some plays in regards to CIR. Having said that, if the current bloc of Illegal Immigrants get some sort of pathway to citizenship, this in turn would continually allow the exponential growth of Latino voters that sway to Democrats. Both parties know they can't keep kicking the can down the road and there are so many potential voters for either side and they need to do SOMETHING to cement regular party voters.

If Navarrette really thinks that Democrats will gain more by not allowing anything to happen and just continues to "fool" Latino voters instead of putting these people into a path of legalization, then he is quite delusional. There is so much more to gain for the future if undocs get put on a pathway to citizenship.

In the end, I somewhat see his point. Which is the fact that both GOP and Democrats alike share the blame in not getting anything forward in terms of correcting our Immigration issue.

Smooth · 11-25-2012, 12:42 AM

Well, if Navarrette is correct, the Democrats will eventually suffer because Latinos and the communities that sympathize with the plight of the undocumented will immediately recognize any politicization of the immigration issue and mobilize for change. Only a fucking retard would fail to identify the blatant politicization of our suffering by the country's leaders. During this election, Latinos particularly labeled Obama's and the left's handling of immigration as poor andself-interestedly exploitative. However, the vast majority supported Obama because he was the lesser of two evils. That being said, Democrats WILL BE screwed if Navarrette is correct, which I doubt is the case. I am certain Democrats know that they will face immediate backlash from Latinos and sympathetic communities alike if they use immigration as a political football.

Sonawabich · 11-25-2012, 01:15 AM

This is exactly what I have said:

http://dreamact.info/forum/showthread.php?t=34330

Even Wash Post summarized my view here:

"Even now, some Republicans are openly fearful that a deal would simply cement Democrats’ electoral advantage among Latinos — and, possibly, create millions of new Hispanic voters. Some Democrats might rather milk the status quo, which has helped them until now, than make tough compromises."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinio...53f_print.html

Sonawabich · 11-25-2012, 01:19 AM

When I posted my views in News Section, it was moved to "other topics" for not being real news.

Now Wash Post and Ruben are regurgitating my views.

Justin2014 · 11-25-2012, 01:36 AM

Let the blame game beginnnnnn... (how supirising)

Cloudless · 11-25-2012, 02:07 AM

It all depends on Republicans now. If they are unyielding with BS like ending birthright citizenship and Achieve act, then they will keep losing national elections. If they show that they can be reasonable on this subject, they stand a real chance of taking votes out of Democrats. Republicans can gain votes not by strictly being softer on immigration, but by being capable of compassion and reason, instead of simply being the party of millionaires, gun toting rednecks, and the ultra religious.

Think about it. Even with a very negative tone on immugration Republicans still carry 27% of latino vote. Bush got 44% of latino vote in 2004, so we know for certain that the GOP has that ability.

Nic89 · 11-25-2012, 01:22 PM

I seriously don't think Obama will disappoint us, yes he may not be able to get CIR or even DA pass in his term, he will sure twist something up by using his EO power which will lead us to better position to get grencard.

xangal · 11-25-2012, 01:38 PM

With the I-9 audits in full force and people being forced out of jobs something has to give, CIR has to be passed soon.

Nic89 · 11-25-2012, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xangal

With the I-9 audits in full force and people being forced out of jobs something has to give, CIR has to be passed soon.

Ture, but like we all know CIR or DA will have to go through GOP controlled house.

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Ruben Navarrette: Democrats not what they seem on immigration reform