Immigration Reform Under the Next U.S. President
New America Media, News Report, Wendy Sefsaf, Posted: May 21, 2008
Editor's Note: Immigration advocates say the prospect of immigration reform under the next U.S. president is slim, but the way immigration plays out in the election could change the face of the Republican Party. NAM contributor Wendy Sefsaf reports from Washington, D.C.
WASHINGTON -- One might assume that achieving comprehensive immigration reform would be easy once the next president is elected. After all, the three main candidates all support comprehensive immigration reform and Democrats are likely to hold the majority in Congress, so this should be a piece of cake, right?
Don’t hold your breath, was the sentiment conveyed by Frank Sharry, executive director of America’s Voice, while speaking at a conference at Georgetown Law School this week. When the new administration takes power in January, immigration will not likely be their first burning issue. With an economy and housing market on the decline, the so-called “pocketbook issues” will take precedence and immigration will take a back seat to getting the economy back on track, helping homeowners and creating jobs, he explained.
Yet “there is a very interesting immigration subplot playing itself out in this election,” said Sharry. He believes that in this election Latino voters will send a strong signal to the anti-immigrant forces and lawmakers that support them. At the conference co-sponsored by the Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Migration Policy Institute and Georgetown University, Sharry said, “For fully embracing the far-right anti-immigrant wing of the party, Republicans may be dealt a punishment vote this November.” Then what happens next depends on whether or not party leaders can afford to continue promoting some of the harshest and most punishing policies against immigrants in recent history. The bottom line, according to Sharry, is that, “if this wedge issue is failing to re-elect Republicans, how will they re-make themselves going forward?”
Also interesting to watch is whether Sen. John McCain distances himself from the anti-immigrant Republicans and shows himself as a maverick on this issue by supporting reform. If so, where would this leave the rest of his party?
Arturo Vargas, executive director of the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials, added more fodder for campaign managers and party leaders to think about. Hard numbers show that, for example, Sen. Hillary Clinton is still in the race because of the Latino vote and McCain took Florida because of Hispanic support, a win that arguably clinched the GOP nomination for him. McCain has also shown an inclination to reach Latinos: he used Cinco de Mayo to unveil a new Spanish-language Web site. Vargas believes that “Latino voters will elect the next U.S. president.” However Sharry, added, while the “McCain brand” may be popular among Latinos, the “Republican brand’ isn’t. Vargas responded that McCain could sway a lot of voters if he follows the Bush example of outspending his opponent in the Latino media market, as he did while running against Sen. John Kerry in 2004.
Nothing is certain when it comes to immigration. However, after the presidential campaign is over and the dust has settled, the chorus of Latino voters may well have sent a strong message to Congress and the White House. Yet where their issues land on the long list of voter demands remains to be seen.
Related Articles:
Immigration: Access Washington
Immigration Matters
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User Comments
Manny Garcia on Jun 03, 2008 at 22:02:00 said:
Has anyone ever thought what would happen if south of border (Mexico) would put up a fence to keep us out and than sign a defense treaty with CHINA to protect its borders?Hmmm, what a delimma having to think that we here in the U.S might have to give credence to the fact the we all be speaking Chinese as the mother language and english as a second language. Not a good thought but who knows what happens behind close doors. We as Americans need to realize we no longer are the Great World Power we once were. We are in debt up to our ying-yang to the whole world (Trillions not Billions). What would happen if all of those holding these enormouse notes would decide to collect collectively at once(?)
Balloons over America on May 22, 2008 at 15:20:55 said:
Might as well declare war on Mexico since they've allready declared war on us. Besides do you really think we can open the borders to anyone and everyone who wants to come. Then instead of 10% of Messico's population there would be at least 40%, then we would have a messico style country (Anarchy). Get real
David SmithyMex on May 22, 2008 at 10:11:04 said:
Brittanicus: Sorry dude, but the Save Act is dead in the water it was blocked repeatedly by the Senate GOOOOOOD!! NUMBERSUSA, FAIR, AMERICAN PATROL, all have ties to HATE GROUPS.
Another thing if your so proud of your American heritage, why do you call your self Brittanicus? We are not REDCOATS here. I remember I was at a bar onetime with a friend who was half Apache half Mexican friend of mine and some Redneck told him "Im more American than you" Now how retarded is that being his people have been here for thousands of years?? www.truthinimmigration.org
Cohen on May 22, 2008 at 08:02:25 said:
The GOP will be punished for embracing their KKK right wing. America is becoming a more diverse party by the day and Republicans are writing their obituary by framing themselves as the white-anglo-saxon-protestant party.
note2self on May 21, 2008 at 20:29:39 said:
November will be here soon enough. Just ask Mitt Romney how much support his anti-illegal stance got him.
Big Business is starting to speak up. Arizona is feeling the pain of their self-created labor shortage. All this will get sorted out sooner or later.
nativessayno on May 21, 2008 at 16:42:39 said:
Your article should be renamed Amnesty Reform since that is what the article is driving at. It contains several phrases and euphemisms for citizens rights being ultimately granted to illegal immigrants.
For me, Wendy "pocketbook issues" like the war veterans and citizen's healthcare and social services are more legitimate and paramount than granting citizens rights to tens of millions of illegal fraud worker immigrants. Hopefully, Pres. Obama will sort this bloody mess out as fairly as can be managed and with the least pain on all sides.
Carlos on May 21, 2008 at 15:18:10 said:
No matter what he has done recently, John McCain is in favor of reform, but one that will impose harsher measures for illegal immigrants in this country right now. Republicans will not do anything in favor of the 20 million+ illegal immigrants in this country. I am not saying that Democrats will, but it stands a better chance. The backbone of America is not conformed by people that makes 30k+ a year, but by minimum wage earners who are also the fuel that drives this economy forward. It is the cheap labor that leaves higher profit margins and cheap labor is, let's face it, modern slavery. They earn below minimum wage, they do not have health insurance, they are not entitled to workman's comp, they can't drive legally, don't have access to a credit lines, they can't buy a house. Some people will say, Why don't they leave. They don't have anything to go back to! Also remember that if they leave, cheap labor is gone, no more two tacos for 99 cents at jack in the box.
Brittanicus on May 21, 2008 at 14:52:06 said:
When 80 percent of the population stopped illegal immigration ARMESTY, in it's tracks, promote the border fence and just put a halt to 3 million coming into America. Democrats used used a underhand closed door amendment in the Iraq war appropriations bill, but even most of that failed. Citizens and permanent residence will keep on fighting, through their second amendment rights. The federal SAVE ACT (H.R.4088) if enacted would stop, once and for all the travesty of our laws by parasite employers. Unsupressed details at NUMBERSUSA. 'The pen is mightier than the sword' so we are led to believe? But their might come a time when American patriots words are being intentionally ignored. That's when other avenues may be the only way...?
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