Obama plans push for immigration reform

[DonViejo]

Source: Los Angeles Times



Early next year, the administration will campaign for a comprehensive bill that could include a path to citizenship for 11 million people living illegally in the U.S.

By Brian Bennett, Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON — As soon as the confrontation over fiscal policy winds down, the Obama administration will begin an all-out drive for comprehensive immigration reform, including seeking a path to citizenship for 11 million illegal immigrants, according to officials briefed on the plans.

While key tactical decisions are still being made, President Obama wants a catch-all bill that would also bolster border security measures, ratchet up penalties for employers who hire illegal immigrants, and make it easier to bring in foreign workers under special visas, among other elements.

Senior White House advisors plan to launch a social media blitz in January, and expect to tap the same organizations and unions that helped get a record number of Latino voters to reelect the president.

Cabinet secretaries are preparing to make the case for how changes in immigration laws could benefit businesses, education, healthcare and public safety. Congressional committees could hold hearings on immigration legislation as soon as late January or early February.

-snip-

Read more: latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-immigration-20121208,0,1954734.story

[graham4anything]

1. 100% amnesty, possible as much as 100% citizenship

But I am not one that is greedy.

As much as President Obama can get, I welcome. And I won't whine if it is not 100%.

[leveymg]

2. It's time for progress on CIR.

[GatorLarry]

3. Not unless . . .

there's filibuster reform. Angry John McCain or that South Carolina Sissy, Lindsey Graham, will hold it up forever all by themselves.

[Vattel]

4. My worry is that anything that can pass will not offer much help to the poorest immigrants.

Even Obama has recommended penalties for workers illegally in the USA. I know a lot of Democrats support that sort of thing, but I don't believe in punishing people who haven't done anything wrong. Crossing borders illegally so that you can feed yourself and your family is what a decent person does.

[alp227]

6. ...at the cost of US citizens though, as well as breaking the law?

Must be a reason why even Democrats support the penalties.

[Vattel]

8. There is a reason. They don't care enough about justice or the truth.

[AnotherMcIntosh]

5. "11 million people"? How long have we been told that there are only "11 million"?

There's probably that many in California alone.

[Ash_F]

7. Good. It's time to get past the inane nimby rhetoric

and start talking about policy.