Commentary:
By Frank Sharry
For months, pundits in Washington have been dying to write the obituary for comprehensive immigration reform. Predictably, they’re using (last) Tuesday night’s special election in Massachusetts as a chance to do just that. But what they overlook is that immigration may well be one of the few issues where a bipartisan breakthrough is possible.
Yes, Democrats have lost their 60-seat supermajority in the Senate. But, unlike many issues, the coalition to enact comprehensive immigration reform has always been bipartisan in nature, and the bill was always going to require support from both Democrats and Republicans to move forward.
That is why Senator Schumer (D-NY) long ago reached out to Senator Graham (R-SC) to develop a bipartisan bill.
Graham told Congress Daily that backing away from tough issues, like immigration reform, wasn’t what either side should learn from Massachusetts:
“Is the message that Democrats shouldn’t take on anything controversial and is the message that we should not work with them on anything controversial?” asked Graham, who has taken the lead as a Republican in crafting a comprehensive immigration bill with Senate Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee Chairman Charles Schumer, D-N.Y.
“I hope that’s not the message. It’s not the message to me,” Graham added. “The message to me was people want you to do things in Washington; just do them openly, transparently and not run up the deficit and increase their taxes.”
Graham’s right, and, recent polling shows just that. Eighty-two percent of Americans say illegal immigration is a serious issue, and 55% of voters say it should be a high priority for Congress to address. Two-thirds of voters support comprehensive immigration reform as a package, and 87% think that we should require unauthorized immigrants to register and work their way toward U.S. citizenship.
When asked whether we would be better off if unauthorized immigrants were to leave the country to free up jobs or if they stayed and became legal taxpayers, 67% supported get legal/pay taxes while only 28% chose leave country/free up jobs.
Aren’t Democrats scared? Yes, but they should remembers FDR’s classic admonition that the only thing they have to fear is fear itself. It would be dangerous for the Democratic Party to think that Brown’s victory means that the winning political strategy heading into the November elections is simply to hunker down and play it safe. Brown’s win is not an indictment of Democrats’ attempts to solve too many important problems their first year controlling both chambers of Congress and the White House; it is a loud and clear message that they need to get more done. They need to show that they can lead, and tackling tough challenges with practical solutions—like comprehensive immigration reform—is the type of problem-solving voters are calling for.
Meanwhile, Republicans need a major breakthrough to stop alienating Latino voters, who were turned off by the GOP’s demonization of immigrants in recent years, as well as by opposition and hostility to the historic Sotomayor Supreme Court nomination.
For those watching closely, the real politics of immigration reform were on display during the Brown victory party. Mitt Romney spent a good deal of time on camera and was given a prominent speaking role. In 2008, Romney was an ardent opponent of reform. He thought he could use the issue to curry favor with hardliners in the GOP and beat out McCain. It didn’t work. According to a 2009 interview, he now “believes that one way to attract more minorities to the GOP is to pass immigration reform before the next election,” and argues that, “the issue becomes demagogued by both parties on the campaign trail.” In addition, one of Romney’s potential competitors for the 2012 GOP nomination, Sarah Palin, has also been making friendly sounds on immigration.
Meanwhile, Republican Meg Whitman is running in the California gubernatorial primary as pro-immigrant and pro-reform – and the latest poll shows her leading the GOP race. Seems that Republicans with an eye on the future are beginning to understand that the Party can’t afford to lose the Latino vote, that Latinos want action on immigration reform, and that swing voters are looking to leaders to solve the immigration crisis in a comprehensive way.
In fact, smart GOP operatives now realize that the only way for a Republican Presidential nominee to be competitive in 2012 is to take back the Latino-heavy states that Obama won from Bush—Florida, Nevada, New Mexico, and Colorado. To do this, they have to win at least 40% of the Latino vote. In 2004, Bush won 40 to 44% of the Latino vote, and an estimated 48% of the Latino immigrant vote; in 2008 McCain won 31% of the Latino vote, and only 25% of the Latino immigrant vote.
If the politics of reform weren’t enough, it’s also the right solution for the country. Voters want to see more jobs created, an improved economy, and more fairness in the tax system. A recent report by the Center for American Progress and the Immigration Policy Center found that comprehensive immigration reform would add $1.5 trillion dollars in accumulated GDP over the next ten years, which would add 700,000 top 900,000 jobs and billions in additional tax revenues. The thing is, when it comes to immigration reform, it’s all there: a bi-partisan solution to illegal immigration and an economic engine to generate growth, level the playing field in the labor market, and reduce the deficit.
Finally, even post-Massachusetts, momentum is building. Recently, America’s Voice co-sponsored an event in DC titled, “Next Up, Comprehensive Immigration Reform: How We Will Make It Happen.” Speakers included Markos Moulitsas Zúñiga, Founder and Editor, Daily Kos; María Elena Durazo, Executive Secretary-Treasurer, Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO; and Andrea Nill from the Center for American Progress (CAP). The moderator for the event, which drew a standing-room-only crowd, was Nico Pitney, National Editor of Huffington Post. The event clearly demonstrated the expanding coalition that supports immigration reform, which now includes dramatic support from labor and the progressive blogosphere.
The message from the panelists was pretty clear: we will make it happen. To that effect, Markos penned a column for The Hill this week, which summed up the political realitiy:
The issue is popular, the policy is sound and Democrats can seize the opportunity to deliver on at least one major campaign promise.
So, yes, the Massachusetts results do narrow the list of progressive issues that Congress might tackle this year, which is unfortunate. On the other hand, it also puts a premium on issues with the potential for true bipartisan support. If the politicians can read the politics right and engage responsibly, we might actually see some bipartisan lawmaking in Washington this year.
Sherry is Founder and Executive Director of America’s Voice. Reprinted from the America’s Voice: http://americasvoiceonline.org/blog/entry/onimmigration_scrap_the_obituary/
29. January 2010 at 3:10 pm
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Ideal Immigration Reform & Earned Citizenship
1. If you are in the United States and out of status but enter the country with inspection, must show I-94 (Arrival – Departure Record) or other entry documents.
A) 20 years plus stay in the US : you will get a green card immediately.
(must show past Federal Tax for 18 years)
B) 15 years plus stay in the US : you will get a green card after 1 year.
(must show past Federal Tax for 13 years)
C) 10 years plus stay in the US : you will get a green card after 5 years.
(must show past Federal Tax for 8 years)
D) 5 years plus stay in the US : you will get a green card after 10 years.
(must show past Federal Tax for 3 years)
E) less than 5 years stay in the US : you will get a green card after 12 years.
2. If you are in the United States and out of status but enter the country without inspection, cannot show I-94 (Arrival – Departure Record) or other entry documents.
a) You will be given a special visa to go back to your country and a guaranteed return (within 90 days), and inspection with USCIS.
b) After 12 years you will get a green card.
3. If you are in the United States and out of status but accompanied by your parents before the age of 16.
a) You will be given a special visa to go back to your country and a guaranteed return (within 90 days), and inspection with USCIS.
b) You must have lived continuously in the U.S. for at least 5 years
c) You must either complete 2 years of collage or serve in the military for a minimum of 2 years.
d) You will get a green card after your 26th birthday.
4. You must pay $3000 fee to USCIS regardless of your status to process your application.
5. All applicants must prove their common English language skills within one year after you file your application.
6. Pass a background check with FBI.
7. Barred from any Federal Welfare Program until you get your Green Card.
8. If you are married and have children (under 21) they will be united to you immediately.
9. You must prove each year as a TAX PAYER. Must pay $2000 or more per year FEDERAL TAX. If you pay $5,000 or more FEDERAL TAX, you can expedite your application process by one year. $10,000 or more by two years and $15,000 or more by three years.
10. All applicants will be issued a 5 years Work Authorization Card immediately.
11. You can travel outside the country but cannot stay more than 90 days.
12. After you get your green card, 2 years later you will become a US Citizen.
29. January 2010 at 5:46 pm
Why wait for so many years to get a green card, what’s the point? and why pay $3000, I think $ 500 to 1000 is fair.
30. January 2010 at 2:19 am
Change the illegal entry into the US to a FELONY, 5 years in Prison.
30. January 2010 at 7:24 am
Deport all illegal aliens!
30. January 2010 at 10:02 am
FAIR & SIMPLE Immigration Reform & Earned Citizenship
1. Immediately, the US will stop taking applications for Green cards until item #4 below is completed.
2. If you are in the United States and out of status after having entered legally, you must report to USCIS within 90 days. After that – no deal. You get caught you get deported.
3. After you report you pay a $3000 fine. Then you will be required to notify the USCIS of any and all changes of address. You will be given a certification of compliance and a tracking number.
4. After all applications for entry have been completed (see #1), you will be processed in order of reporting (see #3).
5. If you were brought to the US by your parents and are under age 18, they are responsible for your $3000 fee and the above process.
6. If you were brought to the US by you parents and are over age 18, you are responsible for your $3000 fee and the above process. (Sorry but the US is not going to be responsible for your parents having broken our immigration laws.
7. If you are in the United States and out of status after having entered illegally, you must report to USCIS within 90 days. After that – no deal. You get caught you get deported.
8. After you report you pay a $5000 fine. Then you will be required to leave the country. You will be given a certification of compliance, and a tracking number.
9. After all applications for entry have been completed (see #4), you can if you choose, apply for re-entry.
30. January 2010 at 1:00 pm
I am not sure if I agree with your post here. See you do make the best point, I don’t think you have actually given a large amount of thought to the opposite side of the argument. Perhaps I could do a guest post or a follow-up, just tell me.
30. January 2010 at 9:08 pm
Have at it Dudy. we nee to hear your thoughts.
1. February 2010 at 5:40 pm
What a spin and what an insult this article is to those with an IQ above 10. The majority of Americans, including LEGAL Latinos, want illegal aliens out of this country, our border sealed, and stringent laws penalizing employers who hire them.
Obviously the writer does not realize that Caucasians, not Latinos, are the majority in this country and, as such, it is this ethnic group – not Latinos – who should/must receive the most attention from/by candidates. Polls document that Obama would have won the 2008 election even if not one Latino voted for him. Further, to assume that Lindsey Graham has any influence whatsoever on senior GOP members is a fantasy. Graham is ridiculed by the GOP and detested by his own constituents. Graham knows this and his “efforts” on behalf of LaRaza et al are analogous to someone interviewing for a job. Graham knows he will not be re-elected and LaRaza hasn’t yet figured out that he is not advocating on their behalf; rather, he is auditioning for a lobbying position in anticipation of his ouster.
3. February 2010 at 5:09 pm
Undocumented Workers 11,200,000
2009 population from 1 to 10
New York, N.Y. ………………8,363,710
Los Angeles, Calif………….. 3,833,995
Chicago, Ill…………………… 2,853,114
Houston, Tex………………… 2,242,193
Philadelphia, Pa. ……………1,567,924
Phoenix, Ariz……………….. 1,447,395
San Diego, Calif……………. 1,351,305
Dallas, Tex. ………………….1,279,910
San Diego ……………………1,279,329
San Jose, Calif. ………………948,279
That means that is the same quantity of people that New York and Chicago has.
Just imagine our country with out people in New York and Chicago…
How expensive is going to be that?
Let’s use our heads We are the # 1 country in the world! Let’s fix this problem as We are.
The problem is based on the way that our broken immigration system is, if the visa gap could be larger for family members and if we could have a real temporary workers program like in Europe, We can solve the problem. Let’s rebuild our database to use the E-Verify
We don’t need more fences, we don’t need more expenses on that. We just have to fix what is broken and unfortunately in this case is our law that was designed for the situation that we had 30 years ago, don’t patch it, fix it!. and fix it for ever, do it right.
Fixing our immigration system is not just the right thing to do for immigrant workers; it’s the right thing to do for all workers and for our economy.