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1:30 pm CST - July 30, 2010

Posted under The Scoop

Immigration ‘Down Payment’ Hope Still Exists

By Morton M. Kondracke
 
There’s not a prayer that comprehensive immigration reform will pass Congress this year, but there’s a slim one that a smaller “down payment” measure might. And it should. Many of the nation’s most important Latino groups, plus Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), are now pushing passage of a package to legalize undocumented workers in the farm industry and young people going to college or the military.

What’s needed now is some concerted leadership — from President Barack Obama , from Republican presidential wannabes (and maybe former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush) and business groups — plus some gumption (and simple humanity) on the part of GOP Senators who have supported immigration reform in the past.

The problem, of course, is lock step GOP opposition to anything Democrats want to do — plus a political atmosphere inflamed by Arizona’s effort to sic its police on illegal immigrants.

Republicans are fixed on a “border security first” immigration strategy, while “down payment” involves legalizing the status of about 2 million undocumented immigrants.

There’s also resistance in the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, many of whose leaders fear that passing an agriculture bill now will pull a key group — the grower lobby — out of the campaign for comprehensive immigration reform.

There’s also fear that Republicans will try to attach harsh enforcement provisions to any “down payment” bill.

Still, it’s worth the effort. “A small, good deal is better than no deal at all,” says Antonio Gonzalez, president of the Southwest Voter Registration Education Project and a convenor of the National Latino Congreso, a coalition of major Hispanic groups.

“We want comprehensive reform, but right now we need a lifeboat,” he told me. “We need to take care of the people we can.”

The National Latino Congreso includes the League of United Latin American Citizens and the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund.

The “down payment” strategy also has been endorsed by a huge coalition of groups organized as Reform Immigration for America, which includes the National Council of La Raza and the National Immigration Forum.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) may be interested in pushing only the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act, but Feinstein wants the AgJOBS bill, too. Her staff counts no more than 56 votes for either measure separately but thinks the farm lobby can pull in enough Republicans to get to 60 for the two measures as a package.

The DREAM Act, co-sponsored by Sens. Richard J. Durbin (D-Ill.) and Richard G. Lugar (R-Ind.) would offer legal status to young people brought to the U.S. illegally as children if they go to college for two years or join the military.

AgJOBS, sponsored by Feinstein and Lugar, would offer legal status (a “blue card”) to workers with two years’ experience in agriculture, and to their families, if they agreed to stay in farm work for another two years.

Each of the measures would legalize about 1 million of the 12 million undocumented people in the U.S.

As policy matters, both measures make eminent sense. It’s pure madness that the nation is denied the service of illegal immigrants who want to join the military.

And it’s a waste of human talent — and simple cruelty — to depress the life chances of young people because their parents brought them to the U.S. illegally.

Meantime, up to 75 percent of the people working on farms in the U.S. — particularly picking fruits and vegetables — are here illegally. It’s hot, back-breaking, low-wage work that American citizens almost certainly won’t do.

The AgJOBS bill also would create a channel for foreign farmworkers to enter the U.S. temporarily. About 200,000 now enter illegally each year — and many stay because border enforcement has stiffened.

According to grower organizations, without adequate labor, crops are rotting, farms are closing down and food imports are increasing, costing jobs in farm-related industries.

In the late 1940s and 1950s, when the nation invited temporary farm workers through the bracero program, illegal immigration plummeted. Then it surged when the program was canceled in 1960 owing to union opposition.

In 2004, an AgJOBS bill had 12 Republicans among its 62 co-sponsors, including Sens. Mitch McConnell (Ky.), Orrin G. Hatch (Utah), Thad Cochran (Miss.) and John Ensign (Nev.).

This year’s bill has only one Republican, Lugar, although there are 11 Republicans in the Senate who have voted for immigration reform in the past. They include retiring Senators such as:

  1. Judd Gregg (N.H.)
  2. George V. Voinovich (Ohio)
  3. Robert F. Bennett (Utah) and
  4. Sam Brownback (Kan.), plus
  5. John McCain (Ariz.)
  6. Lindsey Graham (S.C.)
  7. Susan Collins (Maine)
  8. Olympia J. Snowe (Maine) and
  9. Lisa Murkowski (Alaska).

The business community — not only agribusiness, but the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Business Roundtable and high-tech industries — ought to lobby Republicans to make a down payment on wider reform that might include more H-1B visas for high-skilled workers and green cards for science graduates.

Republican presidential candidates have an interest in getting the divisive immigration issue “off the table” for 2012 and stopping the party’s hemorrhage of Hispanic voters. So do party luminaries such as Jeb Bush.

Obama ought to be in the lead working on legislative strategy — partly to repair his own reputation with Latinos disappointed at his failure to push comprehensive reform.

The “down payment” strategy will hardly fix America’s broken immigration system, but it’s a step in the right direction

17 Comments

CWJensen
4:43 pm CST
July 30, 2010

WHAT in the HELL are the Republicans trying to do??????????/
DOWN PAYMENT my @$$. These are DIRTY ROTTEN INDIVIDUALS BREAKING OUR LAWS.
We OWE them NOTHING SHORT of DEPORTATION.
IF Hispanic voters actually are leaving the Republican party BECAUSE REPUBLICANS expect our LAWS to be enforced, I say GOOD RIDDANCE.
WE NEED ANOTHER BUSH like we need another 20.million lawbreakers.

SJK
5:04 pm CST
July 30, 2010

The RHINOS that give the DOWN PAYMENT should ALL know that we are watching and they will ALL be held accountable for their betrayal of the American people’s concerns and rejection of this immigration-amnesty disaster! We will let them know what we thought of their DOWN PAYMENT in November!

CWJensen
5:41 pm CST
July 30, 2010

BTW
Some real winners listed as Republicans
Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) an active abortion supporter and appointed by her father (elitist) insider.
Please support her opponent Joe Miller (just type in Joe Miller in your search bar).
The two DEMON RATS from Maine who were elected as Republicans thank them for breaking the filibusters.
Lindsy Graham ……………John Mc Cain Clone and RHINO leader.
John Mc Cain…………………Thank him for Obama and support JD Hayworth
Sam Brownback…………… lame duck running for governor………………………good riddance
If he does the down payment thing he sure can kiss his hope to be governor away.
BTW support Todd Tiahrt a REAL CONSERVATIVE.
Robert F. Bennett could not get more than 26% in primary UTAH and America have had enough of this RHINO.
George V. Voinovich another lame duck a REAL disappointment to OHIO.

Judd Gregg another lame duck who could read the writing on the wall.
Support Bill Binnie he is not endorsed by John Mc Cain :)

Every last ONE the people that caused the REPUBLICAN party to be weak and accommodating to the DEMON RATS as they worked to destroy our country.

F.R.Sr.
6:49 am CST
July 30, 2010

We all know that the punishment for breaking the U.S. immigration laws are far more acceptable than life on the poor and mean streets of that corrupt crap hole of a country to our south. In the absence of positive opportunities,ie. a registered guest worker program coupled with severe penalties for violators, what else can we expect? If I were born on the wrong side of a river or an imaginary line, that deprived me of the opportunity to provide for and protect my family, I too might seek an upgrade… who the hell wouldn’t. This has become a political football and the focus on a just and workable solution lost in the frenzied positioning for power. Anything short of legal entry must be dealt with sternly, but we should consider ways to promote voluntary return, without penalty. If our tax laws were based on consumption instead of income, everyone would be contributing. (Gov. Mike Huckabee) This is THE LAND OF THE FREE and THE HOME OF THE BRAVE

Bartram
7:16 am CST
July 30, 2010

No more H-1Bs! For every one of them who’s a genius, inventor, or entrepreneur, probably 100 thousand are just ordinary white collar workers who are taking over jobs that our white collar workers could easily do and would love to have. With the high unemployment we have now, it’s crazy to keep importing competition for our workers and our STEM graduates.

Frank Gunnels
7:47 am CST
July 30, 2010

Greetings
The FIRST things to do :
1) Repeal law for anchor babies.
2) Freeze bank accounts of ALL Mexican corporations , citizens and governments.
3) Notify Mexico that the Mexican invasion is THEIR problem not USA.
( It is Mexico’s own Governmental policies that harm their own citizens )
4) Extract a $ 25,000.00 FINE for EACH Mexican ( and others they ALLOW to pass) delivered back to the Mexican border by U.S.
( Many are from countries South of Mexico , that pass thru Mexico )
5) Set up prison camps in state deserts to facilitate an automatic 6 month sentence to guilty invaders.
( NOW they are rewarded with FREE medical , 3 meals ,recreation , phones , tv . and legal counsel ALL FREE )
( The only thing they lose is TEMPORARY freedom , BUT can have visitors )
( They then have very little dis-incentive to just come back again and again and again in a revolving door policy )
( NOT air conditioned dormitories with tv and phone , games like the Federal facilties I visit )

6) Set up U.S. Airforce DRONE bases along border states.
( This is a FEDERAL Crime thus FEDERAL money to enforce)

7) Pass law that invaders are suspected ENEMY COMBATANTS and are to be treated as such until Mexico takes them back .

MAKE THIS ISSUE MEXICO’S PROBLEM NOT OURS !!
MEXICO IS HOME TO SOME OF THE RICHEST PEOPLE IN THE WORLD .
WE ARE TALKING BILLIONAIRES !!!!!! MAKE THEM SOLVE THE PROBLEM .

CLWebb
9:04 am CST
July 30, 2010

I am not sure I understand the definition of “Illegal”, “Comprehensive”, or “Ethics” as it relates to Congress.

CWJensen
9:12 am CST
July 30, 2010

WHAT IS NEEDED NOW is a political party that LISTENS instead of continuing to try and shove their lobby controlled legislation down the throats of voters who are to brain dead to realize what is happening while they continue to HOPE that change will come WITHOUT cost.

CWJensen
9:38 am CST
July 30, 2010

MIND MY WORDS:
In case in your present state of euphoria you have NOT NOTICED.
The DEMON RATS have manged to SILENCE the HEALTH CARE fury.
They have succeeded in making huge gains in RACES with the RACE card in the ILLEGAL immigration issue…………………………………….and the Angry grassroots is letting them get away with it.
FOR those of you that are still FOOL enough to believe the CURRENT leadership in the RETREAD LIE CAN’T party will NOT BEND over and allow this to happen JUST look back over the last 4 years.

GO to this link and see what has happened in Florida………….home of Jeb Bush, Washington state were we were leading in the senate race, Nevada were REED is now ahead of Angle …………RACES are won or LOST in the last 3 months and look what is happening while the PATRIOTS are celebrating and the leadership is looking toward the status quo.
The OLD GUARD is a sick and depraved as the DEMON RATS wake up before it is too LATE.
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections/election_2010/election_2010_senate_elections/election_2010_senate_balance_of_power
BTW
The present projection DEMOCRATS regain control of the SENATE :)

alicia
1:21 pm CST
July 30, 2010

I’m furious to the point that I am not even willing to *discuss* immigration reform! SECURE THE DAMN BORDER! And the pond scum in the Oval Office is sure as heck going to cram amnesty down our throats.

CW, *anyone* we put in office can turn on a dime. Our job is to see to it they know the ice they’re standing on is always thin. We haven’t done *our* job.

alan
5:49 am CST
July 30, 2010

CW,

I agree that the border should be secured and I agree that persons entering our country illegally are by definition lawbreakers.

But to call them “DIRTY ROTTEN INDIVIDUALS” is going a bit overboard isn’t it?

If you were unlucky enough to have been born dirt poor in a corrupt country such as Mexico perhaps you too would cross the line.

CWJensen
9:50 am CST
July 30, 2010

http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/70324
What a Arizona sheriff has to say about our Federal Government

CWJensen
10:05 am CST
July 30, 2010

NO Allen I would NOT…………………………………………I would DO exactly what I did right here in the United States. I rose above my circumstances and did my BEST to improve my life and those around me by working harder and longer than those around me.
This CRAP about running from a problem rather than working to correct it is NOT what made America GREAT.
Mexico has incredible resources and has more opportunities available than most countries.
Why do you think MEXICO is so protective of their national sovereignty?
Great nations are built by INDIVIDUALS that overcome circumstances NOT those that seek to live off the resources of others that have already sacrificed to create something better by ILLEGALLY entering when LEGAL opportunities are available.
DIRTY ROTTEN INDIVIDUALS are NOT only STEALING from US Citizens by birth BUT those who comply with OUR IMMIGRATION LAWS……………………………………………..

Akeela
4:34 pm CST
July 30, 2010

I cotton more to hard working folk from over the border than to our own home-grown slackers.

In my book kids who grow up as Americans are indeed Americans.
Shipping them off to foreign parts is no better than kidnapping.

Any soldier who puts his (or her) life
on the line for us is a U.S. citizen.

Deviation from either of these
principles is a crime
against them &
the Country.
A
K
E E L A

jgo
8:03 am CST
July 30, 2010

That doesn’t sound like anything to inspire hope. Here’s a down payment for you: Maybe if they finished fencing the 8600 some odd miles of borders, patrolled them with 50K fully-armed and armored US troops or militia, cut the H-1B visas to 1K per year, L-1 visas to 1K per year, F visas to 10K per year, and green cards to 50K per year, J visas to 5K per year, carried out a few thousand (per year) covert investigations of employers suspected of hiring illegal aliens and then prosecuted and jailed at least half of the employers arrested while deporting the illegal aliens… that would be a good start. Durbin and Lugar’s NIGHTMARE act isn’t even worth debating in committee; they should be out of office, along with Feinstein, Ortiz, Gutierrez, McCain, Menendez, and Flake. Neither Boxer nor Fiorina deserve a nomination, let alone more than 2% of the vote. Don’t get me started on the National Council of Racists, Mecha, LULAC, etc.

Akeela
8:47 am CST
July 30, 2010

Except for the Naturalized, we we are citizens by birthright.
Take away that and we all are at risk of losing our citizenship to some governmental whim.

If we cut down all the laws in our pursuit of the devil, where will we hide when he turns on us, the laws having been knocked flat?

A
K
E E L A

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