Thread: Sen. Isakson predicts immigration reform will win approval

Posted by Joe Earle on February 11, 2013.
reporternewspapers.net


Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Georgia, speaks to members of the Sandy Springs/Perimeter Chamber of Commerce on Feb. 11.

Georgia Sen. Johnny Isakson is predicting the federal government will reform its immigration rules by the end of the year.

“I do feel immigration will probably be dealt with as long as [the solution] doesn’t provide amnesty,” Isakson, a Republican, told members of the Sandy Springs/Perimeter Chamber of Commerce on Feb. 11.

The senator chatted with chamber members over coffee and pastries at the United Parcel Service office in Sandy Springs. He addressed about 50 local business leaders attending the inaugural gathering of the chamber’s Chairman’s Circle.

Isakson said public outcry shouted down efforts to try reform immigration rules five years ago. But a similar outcry has not been stirred by talk of reform now.

“Five years ago, all hell broke loose,” he said. “This year, I thought phones would ring off the hook again. They really haven’t. I think everybody realizes we have a problem.”
Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Georgia, speaks to members of the Sandy Springs/Perimeter Chamber of Commerce on Feb. 11.

One big problem, he said, a cap on the number of highly educated immigrants given work visas. This year, the number of applicants reached the cap in early January, he said. Immigrant engineers graduating Georgia Tech, he said, receive two pieces of paper – a diploma and a deportation order.

“Our system is pretty screwed up,” he said.

Isakson said this year would be “the year of cliffs” in Congress. Congress has dealt with the first “fiscal cliff” in January, he said, but faces three more budgetary crises by the end of the year.

Isakson predicts immigration reform will win approval | Reporter Newspapers

“Five years ago, all hell broke loose,” he said. “This year, I thought phones would ring off the hook again. They really haven’t. I think everybody realizes we have a problem.”
Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Georgia, speaks to members of the Sandy Springs/Perimeter Chamber of Commerce on Feb. 11.

Oh really? He is the second one to say this that I know of.

W

I just called Sen. Isakson's office and assured them that his constituents and the American people still oppose amnesty, and that the opposition he experienced first hand in 2007 when he initially supported amnesty (that caused him to back off), still exists.

At this point, there isn't even a bill, so it is outrageous he is making these predictions (it's only February; the 2007 amnesty bill was defeated in June 2007). And I told his office I hope he doesn't flip flop on this issue!

Please call his office and tell him to oppose all forms of amnesty, including Marco Rubio's. Let him know that the American people are still watching this issue -- despite the massive propaganda campaign in support of amnesty.

His number 202 - 224- 3643.