Obama Lukewarm on Passing Immigration Bill in 2009-2010
Not everyone believes that President Obama is wholeheartedly committed to doing what it takes to pass legislation for comprehensive immigration reform in 2009 or 2010, despite the glowing New York Times report today that Obama to Push Immigration Bill as One Priority. Gushed the Times:
"While acknowledging that the recession makes the political battle more difficult, President Obama plans to begin addressing the country’s immigration system this year, including looking for a path for illegal immigrants to become legal, a senior administration official said on Wednesday."
I have no doubt that the Obama administration would dearly love to implement reform of U.S. immigration laws. As a senator, Obama eloquently advocated for immigration reform, declaring in 2007:
"... we cannot weaken the very essence of what America is by turning our backs on immigrants who want to reunite with their family members, or immigrants who have a willingness to work hard but who may not have the right graduate degrees. This is not who we are as a country." (Read the entirety at Obama's Courageous Speech on Immigration Reform.)
Latinos Are Crucial Voting Group
Besides, Latinos are a major, and rapidly growing, U.S. voting group. In 2008, Latinos, repelled by ugly conservative rhetoric about immigration, voted in droves for Obama.Newsweek reported on the day after the presidential election:
"Hispanic voters didn't just leave their mark on this year's presidential election. They decided it."Four states with sizable Hispanic populations that went for Bush in 2004—Florida, Colorado, New Mexico and Nevada—all turned blue this time around, adding 46 crucial electoral votes to the Democratic candidate's winning tally."
To win Latino support, Obama made plenty of campaign-trail promises to pass legislation for "a system that allows undocumented immigrants who are in good standing to pay a fine, learn English, and go to the back of the line for the opportunity to become citizens." (See Obama 101: Immigration Reform.)
Yes, for many reasons, Obama would love to implement immigration reform. Obama certainly wants to be widely portrayed as supporting immigration reform. It's actually passing an immigration bill that's the thorny political snag...
Immigration Is Highly Divisive in Congress
Immigration reform may be the most divisive of all political issues in Congress.
Even the Times admits that "... it is unclear who will take up the Obama initiative in Congress." and that "No serious legislative talks on the issue are expected until after some of Mr. Obama’s other priorities have been debated."
Of course, the Immigration Reform Act of 2007 bill suffered a painful defeat after torturous debate and herculean efforts by both the Bush White House and Democratic leaders in Congress to pass the massive legislative package.
President Obama conceded to a Latino questioner at a recent town hall here in Southern California, "I know this is an emotional issue; I know it’s a controversial issue. I know that the people get real riled up politically about this."
Obama Reneged on Appointment of Immigrant Rights Advocate
In fact, in early March, the Obama administration created a stir in Latino activist circles by reneging on the nomination of Thomas Saenz to head the Justice Department's civil rights division, ostensibly "because of Saenz's past advocacy on behalf of immigrant rights," per Los Angeles Times blogger Gregory Rodriguez.
Saenz is chief counsel to Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, a Democrat who actively advises President Obama on a wide range of Latino community-related issues. Rodriguez reported two weeks ago:
"... some officials and advocates who care most about immigration reform are worried. True to form, irascible Los Angeles County Supervisor Gloria Molina was the only high-profile elected official to speak out. She was quoted as saying Saenz had been offered the nomination and accepted it."That the administration canceled the deal, she told the blog of the Legal Times, 'speaks volumes of the lack of courage of the administration.' Ouch. Several other activists expressed their own concerns to me off the record."
Chances for Immigration Reform in 2009-2010: Slim to None
"Bottom line" chances for achieving comprehensive immigration reform during the 111th Congress are most likely this: slim to none.
Obama already has far too much on his campaign-promise plate to accomplish... health care reform, comprehensive reform of public education, and a slumping economy to inspire and stabilize... before the November 2010 mid-term Congressional elections.
But, as the New York Times reports, look for President Obama to "begin addressing the country’s immigration system this year." Look for him to hold hearings. To talk about it at town halls. To perhaps establish a task force, or commission a study, or commence a "listening tour." Probably all of them.
Look for President Obama to sound and look like he's working diligently on resolving the injustices of the present U.S. immigration system. Look for the Obama administration to expend enough effort to convince Latino voters that he's doing his very best, and then some, on this hot-potato issue.
But in his first term as president, don't look for Obama to do the politically hard yeoman's work it will take to actually pass comprehensive immigration reform legislation.
Despite White House talking points, passage of immigration reform is NOT a top priority issue, as it would demand more political capital and more gutsy, in-your-face courage than is characteristic of Barack Obama.
I could be wrong. I deeply hope I'm wrong. But I kind of doubt it...
(Photo #1 taken on March 11, 2009 of Enrique Morones of Border Angels, an organization which put rescue stations along the US/Mexico border to help illegal immigrants to survive the extreme hot and cold weather, listens during a rally on Capitol Hill March 11, 2009 in Washington, DC: Alex Wong/Getty Images.)
(Photo #2 taken on May 1, 2008 in Los Angeles: David McNew/Getty Images)
Comments
In this melting economy and our lawmakers complete resistance to the US publics policies. American patriots must do the right thing and stop this violation of Federal law. No doubt it will be very difficult because the administration in power, is run by Left wing Democrats. Sen. David Vitter, Republican-LA has drafted S95, a law if enacted, could kill all funding to any city that is infamously branded a “Sanctuary City.” With indifference to American populations outcry any city that entertains as a refuge to illegal immigrants. They will have to search the deep pockets of their business co-conspirators, to insure costs for services. We all know the 50 Senators including Harry Reid, and Madam Pelosi who secretly suppressed e-verify, so that more than 300.000 illegal labor, could compete for jobs with American Workers.
What are any of these idiots thinking, when their are 10 million jobless Americans right now in these United States? They must be undead zombies not to realize without any logic, that we can’t afford to subsidize as estimated by the Heritage Foundation 40 million illegal aliens? Perhaps professional people in limited numbers with absolute skills in the scientific fields. But certainly not uneducated, indigent labor who competes with legal low skilled whites, blacks or any other color, creed or religion? We all must be bloody fools not to recognize, that California nearly went into a $47 billion dollar crash. Because of the payout to the illegal poor who have figured out the way to short change Americans of their pay checks.
A great example of the avenue illegal aliens have fraudulently, exploited free money is the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). In his book financial analyst and economist Edwin Rubinstein. He states that (EITC) is the largest anti-poverty program in the United States — and the most illegal-immigrant friendly. In 2007, more than 23 million households received more than $47 billion in the EITC payments. Much of the so-called “tax relief” goes to people who never paid a cent in taxes, and may have already defrauded the government of huge sums each year. EITC has become yet another means of depriving hard-working Americans of their own resources. It robs some to give to others. he EITC is the most accessible of the major entitlement programs and used by more people than food stamps and welfare (TANF)* combined he admits.
Also know America settles more new legal immigrants, than any place on Mother Earth. Over 1.5 million immigrants were nationalized last year.
Should this law get the backing of millions of Americans, we have the tremendous influence to sever most welfare benefits and government handouts, to anybody who steals into a sovereign country without being processed. In states like California where in just Los Angeles county alone, an estimated 4 million illegal nationals have settled there. The people’s safety net is now overwhelmed by families, who have learned to tap every social welfare program available. Legal or otherwise! Even Federal programs-for citizens only– has been compromised, including low income housing, pre-natal and after birth care, hospital emergency care, where the illegal uninsured, dumped on the entrance to a hospital by pirate contractors and business owners. It is Left for the taxpayer, to pick up the bill. Not just for major injury, but for flue, nail fungus or anything minor–and its free. All the while citizens are interrogated for their insurance card, social security number or money to pay. They get Scott-free care and we get a phone call from a debt collector or end up in front of a bankruptcy judge. California was just one state where local government has intentionally ignored the “Rule of Law.” Poor foreign nationals have turned our neighborhoods into littered streets and heinous crime scenes as never before in our history.
Today we have a slender chance to stop this caricature of our laws. Call, write, fax or phone and make your demands real to these pro-illegal immigrant legislators. It seems their arrogant attitude can overrule the will of THE PEOPLE. The president has already informed us that an Amnesty is being readied. The problem is after the 1986 Amnesty, we were avidly promised–NO MORE. If yet another Amnesty is passed, the impoverished outside our lands will keep coming. Taxpayers have–and will be a permanent–THE BEAST OF BURDEN. Taxpayer in-perpetuity will be expected to carry in social services for every lawbreaker. We cannot afford another Amnesty. Every family from Guatemala, Kowloon and Bombay can sponsor all and every relative they possess and you end up paying for our traitorous politicians.
Go to CAPSWEB to utilize their petition to condemn Sanctuary cities. Read the facts at NUMBERSUSA, JUDICIALWATCH, FAIR AND AMERICAN PATROL
Rampant population growth threatens our economy and quality of life. Immigration, both legal and illegal, are fueling this growth. I’m not talking about environmental degradation or resource depletion. I’m talking about the effect upon rising unemployment and poverty in America.
I should introduce myself. I am the author of a book titled “Five Short Blasts: A New Economic Theory Exposes The Fatal Flaw in Globalization and Its Consequences for America.” To make a long story short, my theory is that, as population density rises beyond some optimum level, per capita consumption of products begins to decline out of the need to conserve space. People who live in crowded conditions simply don’t have enough space to use and store many products. This declining per capita consumption, in the face of rising productivity (per capita output, which always rises), inevitably yields rising unemployment and poverty.
This theory has huge implications for U.S. policy toward population management, especially immigration policy. Our policies of encouraging high rates of immigration are rooted in the belief of economists that population growth is a good thing, fueling economic growth. Through most of human history, the interests of the common good and business (corporations) were both well-served by continuing population growth. For the common good, we needed more workers to man our factories, producing the goods needed for a high standard of living. This population growth translated into sales volume growth for corporations. Both were happy.
But, once an optimum population density is breached, their interests diverge. It is in the best interest of the common good to stabilize the population, avoiding an erosion of our quality of life through high unemployment and poverty. However, it is still in the interest of corporations to fuel population growth because, even though per capita consumption goes into decline, total consumption still increases. We now find ourselves in the position of having corporations and economists influencing public policy in a direction that is not in the best interest of the common good.
The U.N. ranks the U.S. with eight third world countries – India, Pakistan, Nigeria, Democratic Republic of Congo, Bangladesh, Uganda, Ethiopia and China – as accounting for fully half of the world’s population growth by 2050. It’s absolutely imperative that our population be stabilized, and that’s impossible without dramatically reining in immigration, both legal and illegal.
If you’re interested in learning more about this important new economic theory, I invite you to visit my web site at OpenWindowPublishingCo.com where you can read the preface, join in my blog discussion and, of course, purchase the book if you like. (It’s also available at Amazon.com.)
Please forgive the somewhat spammish nature of the previous paragraph. I just don’t know how else to inject this new perspective into the immigration debate without drawing attention to the book that explains the theory.
Pete Murphy
Author, “Five Short Blasts”
Brittanicus, You are a MINUTEMAN in disguise, that gets paid by FAIR.ORG. Yet your postings of Lies wont help.
We can all see thru these lies, since they are NOT based on TRUTH. They are FALSE.
YOU have NO CLUE or QUALIFICATIONS about Immigration and Immigration Laws yet you sit and daily post the same old crappy lies. GET A LIFE.
These are FACTS that can be checked.
THERE IS NO SUCH WORD AS “ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT in , Blacks Law Dictionary, Or in Merriam Webster Dictionary.
In the 20-plus years I have spent studying, lecturing and litigating immigration issues, two things have always amazed me. The first is the amount and intensity of hate spewed against undocumented workers. The second is the amount of misinformation that is published about them.
On this second point, the quote from Mark Twain is illustrative. “A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes.” I suppose this may be true in part because misinformation, like a lie, requires no accuracy, validation or research; all of which are time-consuming practices.
The recent letters alleging that all undocumented workers are “criminals,” and specifically Veronica Suarez, whose plight was written about in the Tracy Press recently, is a criminal are factually incorrect.
According to the facts (as stated in Sharon Franceschi’s Sept. 7 commentary) Saurez entered the U.S. on a valid visa, overstayed her visa when it expired, resulting in her unlawful immigration status. None of these acts, as stated by Franceschi, constitute a crime under federal or state law. Overstaying a valid visa under the Immigration and Naturalization Act is a civil violation of the law, not a criminal violation. Being in the U.S. in under undocumented status is not a criminal violation, but a civil violation of the INA.
The facts, as stated by Franceschi, do not indicate that Suarez has committed any crime. To call her a criminal is erroneous at best, and libelous at worst.
Furthermore, it is an Americanism that a person is innocent until proven guilty. So until Suarez (or any other undocumented person) is charged and found guilty of a crime, it would be inappropriate to call them “criminals.”
It is important to note that there is a very large difference between civil and criminal violations of law. The distinction is so important that the law makes the erroneous allegation that one has committed a crime of slander or libel, (which means liability is automatic even without proof of damages). One who violates the civil law is no more a criminal than someone who has breached a contract or accidentally damaged another’s property.
It is true that entering the United States without inspection is a misdemeanor under the INA. The misdemeanor is completed once an individual’s entry is complete. Suarez, according to Franceschi, did not enter without inspection; she entered with a valid visa. According to U.S. Immigration and Citizenship Services statistics, about 40 percent of undocumented persons enter legally and overstay their visas (which, as stated above, is not a crime). Consequently, at least 40 percent of the undocumented population has committed no crime in regards to their immigration status.
Therefore, one cannot assume that a person has committed a crime simply because they are undocumented.
Franceschi is also in error in her allegation that getting married and having children while being undocumented in the U.S. is a violation of the law. It is not. Franceschi goes on to say that Suarez “apparently bought a house illegally.” It is unlikely that Franceschi knows exactly how Suarez purchased her home. Consequently, any allegation of illegality is, at a minimum, irresponsible.
It is also important to note that the Immigration and Citizenship Services doesn’t consider all undocumented persons criminals. When the Immigration and Citizenship Services publishes information about its enforcement activities involving undocumented workers, it are always sure to make a distinction between “criminal” and noncriminal aliens.
Another myth is that the term “illegal aliens” is a term of art or is legal jargon. This term is not found anywhere in the INA or in Blacks Law Dictionary. The INA refers to undocumented persons as either an EWI (entered without inspection) or as someone who has overstayed their visa. “Illegal aliens” is a term invented by anti-immigrant groups designed to put undocumented persons in the worst possible light and to instill fear in Americans. It is intentionally designed to associate undocumented persons with criminality.
This xenophobic view that undocumented persons are “simply criminals” comes from the historical stereotype that the foreign-born, especially undocumented immigrants, are responsible for higher crime rates. This misconception has deep roots in American public opinion and popular myth. This myth, however, is not supported empirically and has repeatedly been refuted by scientific studies. Both contemporary and historical data, (including U.S. governmental studies) have shown that immigration is associated with lower crime rates.
The studies have uniformly shown that recent immigrants (including the undocumented) are less likely to be involved in violent crime, and that when there is an increase in immigration patterns, violent crime decreases. This has been shown to be true in large cities with heavy immigrant populations.
In the most recent of these studies, The Myth of Immigrant Criminality and the Paradox of Assimilation (2007), from the Immigrant Policy Institute, it was found that among men age 18 to 39 (who are the vast majority of inmates in federal and state prisons and local jails), immigrants were five times less likely to be incarcerated than the native-born in 2000.
During the Proposition 187 debate, then-Gov. Pete Wilson published statistics that stated that
12 percent to 15 percent of the state prison population had Immigration and Citizenship Services holds or potential holds. The Department of Corrections analyst who compiled these numbers said Immigration and Citizenship Services holds are placed on inmates who were born outside of the U.S. (therefore 12 percent to 15 percent of the prison population was immigrants). The immigrant population at the time in California hovered at about 25 percent, showing immigrants were much less likely to be incarcerated than the native born in California.
In short, the data shows you are much safer if your neighbor is an immigrant.
Franceschi owes Suarez an apology. I am also surprised that the Tracy Press allowed a commentary to run without checking the facts. Although commentaries are designed to allow for the expression of differing opinions, the First Amendment is not as generous with misstatements of facts — especially when the facts can be libelous.
For the immigration debate to be a healthy one, we should strive for a debate based on facts, not myth or tired stereotypes. We should also not let our position on this topic strip us of one of the great qualities we possess as people — the ability to be compassionate.
Arturo E. Ocampo of Tracy has been a practicing attorney since 1985, with an expertise in immigration rights and class action lawsuits on behalf of immigrants, including the way the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 was implemented, Border Patrol’s raids and Proposition 187. He is director of diversity and equal employment opportunity for the San Jose/Evergreen Community College District.
Thanks to A.P. for finally making some sense. The mobility of lies is greatly increased by cut/paste on the web, and certain parties overuse it enthusiastically. Thanks for a good post and for a sensible comment.
American Patriot has cut and pasted the same comment all over the Internet. Thanks Brittanicus for pointing out the illegal immigrant abuse of the Earned Income Tax. Once again something that is meant for our own American poor is raped and abused by foreign nationals, and we are called “racist” if we object to it. Maybe the solution to this continued raping of our welfare state by illegal foreigners is to simply stop paying taxes. If amnesty passes, then 2009 is the last year I will sign my federal income tax forms.
I am not against illegal immigration, but I am against the idea immigrants trying to change the American culture. My great grandparents where immigrants from Spain at the turn of the century. They came here to become Americans, not Spanish-American. They never forgot their culture, but never tried to change the American culture they wanted to be apart of. Their loyalties where to America first. That’s what immigration to this country should be. You live and you die for your family and your country. Don’t get county and government confused, they are very different from each other. I believe in my country every day, but I don’t necessary believe in my government.
I am fed up with the illegals in this country – they are only here to be supported by taxpayers, five years ago I was friendly to them, now I can’t stand the sight of them
American Patriot wrote “Another myth is that the term “illegal aliens” is a term of art or is legal jargon. This term is not found anywhere in the INA or in Blacks Law Dictionary. “
I suggest that you read the United States Code. “Illegal alien” appears frequently.
I am not interested in discussing petty hair splitting regarding whether illegal aliens are criminals or not. The bottom line is this: they do not belong here without the proper authorization.
If you support illegal immigration, you are no American Patriot.
re: “illegal immigrant” is not a word. Maybe that is becuase it is two words!?! Duh
No, “illegal immigrant” is not a word, it’s two. Furthermore, whether or not those words appear in the Immigration & Nationality Act is quite beside the point. Entering the U.S. without inspection or remaining past one’s authorized period of stay is in violation of the Act. What you call the people who do so is semantics (and sometimes racist, but that’s another topic).
Obama just said what he had to say to get elected. He will never do anything that might anger Republicans.
He won’t legalize the immigrants but this country will continue to exploit their labor and generate wealth from it. Illegal immigrants working in agriculture are the only reason food is still affordable.
LIttle known fact: Latinos also pushed Obama over the top in North Carolina and Virginia.
Why the government is supporting illeagal immigrants not the leagals. So many professionals from india and china are suffering to get the green card since 10 years. Just take my example. We are in this country since 9 years having masters degree form most notorious university, paying all taxes,obeying all rules still suffering in the system. If you want give priority give it equally for all. Now it’s time for government to act wisely.
kean, after staying in this country for 9 years having masters degree form most notorious university, paying all taxes,obeying all rules still suffering in the system, still you cannot spell the word “LEGAL” correctly? its legal not “leagals” ..
Keane,,you’re over reacting. I was before an illegal alien, I experienced working with people and in the end they did not pay me.That time, I do jobs that i never did before, but I just accept the reality of being illegal. like other illegal aliens, I also wait and pray for some promises of politicians about immigration reforms. We actually support those politicians with positive views in immigration reforms. How? by talking to our legal/American citizen friends,in some way,,, we influenced them. Now I have a good job, beatiful family and served in the U.S Army for 10 years. I dont know why you are so against with the illegal immigrants, when even you were from another country.
sometimes you need to take a look where you came from!! I can say.. You dont have the rights to comment like that!
I am an American born and raised here and I fell hopelessly in love with an “illegal” who is now my husband of 8 years. The hispanics only come here illegaly in hopes of having a better future for their families and themselves and to experience what we call the American Dream. But as Americans instead of accepting them and showing them how compassionate we Americans really are, we are showing them that we are really a racist community and we don’t like Mexicans. They are only human just like you and I. For those of you who are against immigration refom. Have you ever been to Mexico and tried to live and work there and survive on what little money that they are paid? Well I suggest that you try it before you call them illegals and start talking crap about them that you don’t even know what the heck you are talking about. Do you know what it is like to live every day wondering if your husband will even come home from work at night or if he will be pickup up by immigration officials when all that he is doing is going out to make an income and provide for his family. That which is nearly impossible to do in Mexico. Well, I am for this immigration reform and I hope that it does pass when it comes up in congress, just so that you people can close your mouths for a while. Instead of being so selfish and self-absorbed, try talking to an illegal one day about their lives before they come from Mexico, and what they went though to get here to the US just to experience the American Dream and see, just see, if that does not bring a tear to your eye!
First of all I hope Obama can help immigration status
Second if the crime rate were to go up because of “illegal” immigrants its because of selfish lazy people who don’t give anyone a chance. From experience I know that many illegal children who have come to america with out a choice I being one of them no matter what at times feel like they have hit the glass ceiling . I went to private schools my whole life and graduated from a great school but after high school there is not much to do. Get a degree? For what to stand around and not get a chance in the world because of a choice my parents made for me? And although I am very grateful and am in the process of waiting and have been waiting for immigration to further my case . I am screwed for the moment english being my first language and I stumble with my spanish . You tell me what’s fair? Go back to a country I know nothing about?
Many americans take for granted what god has given to them ending up in drugs, jail, and raping and killing children I won’t stereotype but in most cases I have read its a middle age white man! It should not be a case of race but of character .
If one has the character of an american, speaks english, studied in america and knows american history better than their own(not all immigrants are hispanic) who is to say they can not one day better america
As for the unemployed issue If one was doing their job right and doing more than job requirement one would still have their job.. Having a social does not qualify you to keep your job. If u have seen what I have seen,surpassed what I have surpassed some of you wouldn’t have such bias or stereotypical vies that make you sound so uneducated
Even as an immigrant I do agree
*if they know english or try
*live by the rules
* and strive to be good and have a better life
* who are u to take that dream. Away the same dream that Columbus had when he discovered america and the same dream our for fathers had when they built america to what is now or what it was before bush jr ruined it
I don’t beleive that the republicans would really put out such a website as experimental as the one you have here. brackobamaexperiment.com. I beleive it is a trick by Mr. Obama and his people to get republican seniors to get into this experimental website, and that is terrible of him.
Don’t people understand that there are children that have grown up here to know fault of their own who were brought across the border decades ago, and they have lived here peacably, work and pay taxes, raise their children, and yet they have to hide in the dark because no one even thinks of them and what they have gone through, and that they have rights as well, the right to raise their family in a peaceful society, and let their children grow up responsible citizens (even if they are not citizens), they want the best for their children. No one thinks of them. No one not even President Obama. President Obama needs to make good on his promise, as Hispanics have helped him to get where he is today.