Thread: Heller vows to pursue immigration reform, but opposes DREAM act

rgj.com
The Associated Press
6:48 AM, Jan. 6, 2012

LAS VEGAS (AP) - Republican U.S. Sen. Dean Heller has agreed to take questions from a Hispanic group largely opposed to his stance on immigration.

Heller is scheduled to address the monthly Hispanics in Politics meeting in downtown Las Vegas Friday morning.

The appearance will mark the first time Heller has publicly addressed a Hispanic group since he cancelled a meeting with the Latin Chamber of Commerce in October.

After the last-minute cancellation, some Hispanic leaders accused Heller of shunning the Latino community.

They say they will ask Heller why he has not endorsed immigration reform such as the DREAM Act, which would legalize some young illegal immigrants if they attend college or serve in the military.

Heller is running for re-election against Democratic Congresswoman Shelley Berkley, who represents many of Nevada's Hispanic neighborhoods.

http://www.rgj.com/article/20120106/...120106001/1459

They want to know why he hasn't endorsed the "Dream Act" which would have ZERO verification that someone actually came here as a child? That gives the DHS Secretary unlimited waiver power over one or ALL applicants? What a joke. Why can't Republicans get their talking points straight. ATTACK THE BILL...GO ON OFFENSE, DAMMIT!

rgj.com
The Associated Press
9:39 AM, Jan. 6, 2012

LAS VEGAS (AP) - Republican U.S. Sen. Dean Heller buckled down against immigration reform that would grant illegal immigrants amnesty, telling a Hispanic group in Las Vegas that he does not support the DREAM Act.

Heller's appearance at a monthly Hispanic in Politics meeting Friday morning was supposed to be an olive branch toward the Hispanic community. Some Hispanic leaders accused Heller of shunning the Latino community after he cancelled a meeting with the Latin Chamber of Commerce in October.

But Heller repeated his opposition to the DREAM Act several times during the Friday meeting, even as Hispanic leaders warned him that the stance could alienate Latino voters.

Heller is running for re-election against Democratic Congresswoman Shelley Berkley, who represents many of Nevada's Hispanic neighborhoods.

Hispanics represent nearly a third of all Nevadans.

http://www.rgj.com/article/20120106/...6012/1321/NEWS

lvrj.com
By Laura Myers
LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL
Posted: Jan. 6, 2012 | 10:24 a.m.
Updated: Jan. 6, 2012 | 4:33 p.m.

U.S. Sen. Dean Heller on Friday promised to meet with Hispanic leaders to discuss immigration reform. But the Republican maintained opposition to a proposed law that would give children of illegal immigrants the chance to become U.S. citizens if they attend college or serve in the U.S. military.

Appearing before a largely unfriendly audience packed with Latino and Democratic activists, Heller said he voted against the DREAM Act because it could provide benefits to illegal immigrants that should go to U.S. citizens, such as lower in-state tuition in some cases.

"We are a country of laws," Heller said, explaining he doesn't want to reward illegal immigrants. "We can change the immigration policy in this country to make it easier" to gain citizenship instead.

Heller said he doesn't support amnesty for the 10 million to 12 million illegal immigrants in the country, but wants to streamline the system so it's cheaper and easier to become a legal citizen. He also wants to expand a temporary worker program so non-Americans can provide needed U.S. labor.

"Our immigration system is bogged down in bureaucracy," Heller said, noting attorneys are making lots of money off immigrants seeking to become U.S. citizens in a Byzantine process.

Heller's comments came during an hour-long breakfast meeting with Hispanics in Politics, the oldest Latino political group in Nevada. The event came more than two months since he angered Latino leaders by abruptly cancelling an appearance before the Latin Chamber of Commerce.

Heller skipped the October chamber event at the last minute because a Democratic operative planned to videotape his appearance and because of the presence of a staffer for U.S. Rep. Shelley Berkley, his Democratic opponent as he runs to keep his Senate seat.

Several Democratic operatives videotaped Heller's Friday appearance, but he didn't object. The audience of about 100 included representatives of the Democratic party and campaigns as well.

Otto Merida, the Latin Chamber of Commerce leader, was among those who questioned Heller at Friday's event. Merida said afterwards he was satisfied Heller wanted to work with the Hispanic community, a vital Nevada voting bloc that largely backs Democrats over Republicans.

"I don't know what he was afraid of," Merida said. "Many of the things he said I agreed with."

Pressed by Merida on immigration, Heller promised to meet with the Latin chamber chief to discuss reform proposals. Heller also told Merida he would address the Latin chamber.

Despite the agreement, Merida, a Republican, said he still supports Berkley for Senate, primarily because of Heller's strict immigration views. Merida said it will be difficult for Heller and the GOP presidential nominee to win election in Nevada until Republicans ease their policies on immigration.

"What is the future of the Republican Party?" Merida asked Heller, expressing doubts about GOP candidates' electability because people believe "Republicans are against Hispanics."

Heller agreed the nation's immigration policy wasn't working.

"The immigration policy in this country has to be addressed, but it has to be addressed in a way that most people support," Heller said, addressing Merida. "You and I will sit down and try to put together an immigration policy that makes sense."

Laura Martin, a member of the Nevada Democratic Party's executive board, shouted out she'd like to see the results. Heller agreed that whatever he and Merida came up with would be available.

Later, Martin said she was pleased Heller met with Latino activists, although she said he had "mastered the art of answering a question without answering the question."

"Hopefully, this is a new era of Dean Heller reaching out to his constituents," Martin said.

Heller faced more than a dozen sharp questions from the audience, mostly from the Democratic and Latino activists. The questioners were polite, however, and Heller never lost his cool, seeming loose and comfortable. Heller noted he had spoken to Hispanics in Politics several times over the years.

"I think I received the amigo award" from the group, he said.

Heller said he hoped Hispanics would focus on "the 80 percent" of issues where he agrees with them, including family values and faith and the need to create more jobs, with unemployment at 20 percent for Latinos in Nevada.

"I believe we have a lot in common," Heller said. "Yes, I am a Republican and many of you are not. We agree more than we disagree."

Heller and Berkley are locked in a tight Senate race and he must pick up some support from Southern Nevada's Latino population to win the statewide election. Heller was appointed to the Senate in May after representing conservative Northern and rural Nevada in Congress.

Berkley supports the DREAM Act and represents many of Nevada's Hispanics, who account for 26 percent of the state's population and about 15 percent of the electorate in recent elections.

Berkley's campaign was quick to criticize Heller after his attempt to reach out to Hispanics.

"Whether it's opposing the DREAM Act, supporting Arizona's draconian immigration law or opposing comprehensive immigration reform, unelected Sen.Dean Heller has sent a clear message to Latino voters: take your votes elsewhere," Berkley campaign spokesman Eric Koch said in a statement.

Contact Laura Myers at lmyers@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2919 . Follow @lmyerslvrj on Twitter.

http://www.lvrj.com/news/heller-says...136820133.html

mynews3.com
Updated: 5:34 pm

Video at link

LAS VEGAS (KSNV & MyNews3) – Sen. Dean Heller, R-Nev., faced several tough questions today from a Las Vegas audience. News 3's Sergio Avila was there for the exchange and has this story.

The breakfast was hosted by the nonpartisan group Hispanics in Politics. Heller said he expected a tough crowd but his strategy was to show Hispanic voters that the Republican Party agrees with them on most topics.

He focused the conversation on the need for immigration reform, job creation, keeping people in their homes and reduced spending.

He said those are all things the Hispanic community can relate to and support. Many in the audience applauded his effort to reach out.

In October Heller canceled a meeting with the Latin Chamber of Commerce.

Heller is running for re-election to the Senate against Democrat Shelly Berkeley.

Many Hispanics view immigration laws like the ones in court in Arizona as attacks.

News 3 asked Heller whether the Republican Party can change the minds of Hispanics who feel his party is attacking their community and whether a majority of Hispanics would ever vote Republican.

“Obviously they're going to have to decide that for themselves but they don't have to decide that here in this race,” Heller said. “But the bottom line is what I mentioned and that's we're going to agree on a lot of things."

Some Hispanic Republicans told News 3 that they would like to see is the Republican Party make more of an effort to voice the concerns of their community.

Meanwhile, Heller did say he's absolutely opposed to the National Dream Act. The legislation which is widely supported among Hispanics would provide a pathway to citizenship for illegal immigrant children under 16 who aspire to go to college or enlist in the military.

http://www.mynews3.com/content/news/...Vnxr3D8tw.cspx

nevadaappeal.com
By CRISTINA SILVA
The Associated Press
Saturday, January 7, 2012

LAS VEGAS — Republican U.S. Sen. Dean Heller took a hard stance against immigration reform that would grant illegal immigrants amnesty Friday, telling a Hispanic group in Las Vegas that he does not support the DREAM Act or birthright citizenship for some children.

Heller's appearance at a monthly Hispanics in Politics meeting was intended to be an olive branch toward the Hispanic community after he cancelled a meeting with the Las Vegas Latin Chamber of Commerce in October, prompting accusations from some Hispanic leaders that Heller was shunning the Latino community.

But the meeting quickly evolved into a debate on immigration, with Heller repeating his opposition to illegal immigration several times, even as Hispanic leaders warned him that the stance could alienate some Latino voters. Heller also reiterated his support for an overhaul of the 14th Amendment, saying the children of illegal immigrants should only receive birthright citizenship if at least one parent is a citizen.

“I don't believe we should be giving benefits to non-United States citizens over United States citizens,” he said.

Hispanics represent nearly a third of all Nevadans. Heller is running for re-election against Democratic Rep. Shelley Berkley, who represents many of Nevada's Hispanic neighborhoods. She has endorsed the DREAM Act, which would legalize some young illegal immigrants if they attend college or serve in the military.

Heller stuck mostly to a stump speech on strengthening the shaken economy during the one-hour meeting. He called for more job creation, slammed President Barack Obama's economic stimulus plans, defended the so-called Balanced Budget Amendment and pledged his support for the nation's troops.

The speech also strove to highlight shared values between the GOP and many Hispanic cultures, with Heller stressing that family, education and faith are top priorities for both groups. He said he looks forward to Latino businesses in Nevada thriving under a smaller government and lower taxes.

“The Hispanic community has been let down by politicians who have taken you for granted, promised you the world and delivered nothing,” he said.

But Heller's conservative position on immigration was a sticking point with some Democratic activists at the meeting, who peppered him with questions about his opposition to the DREAM Act.

Heller said the nation's immigration laws were intimidating, unfairly requiring too many families to spend thousands of dollars on lawyers to help them navigate the system more quickly. But he offered no ideas on what improvements are needed, instead vowing to eventually come up with a solution with the help of some Hispanics leaders in Las Vegas.

He also rallied for border security, calling crime and drug trafficking a concern for all Americans, including Hispanics.

“If you think there is going to be a blanket amnesty of 10 to 15 million people,” Heller told the crowd, “I don't think most of the people in the room agree with that.”

He said he supports requiring health care insurance providers to extend coverage to patients with pre-existing conditions, but said Obama's health care law, which does just that, has to go.

Otto Merida, of the Latin Chamber of Commerce, said Heller's pro-business stance may have won some votes, but his anti-immigration positions likely lost him many more.

“Many of the things he is against are important to the Hispanic community,” Merida said.

http://www.nevadaappeal.com/ARTICLE/...09840/1001/RSS

He is the only one I would vote for in Nevada he took over John Ensigns position...and yea I liked John Ensign too....
Dean Heller is running against Shelly Berkley. Harry Reid and Shelly Berkley two peas in a pod...


Dean Heller from Numbersusa https://www.numbersusa.com/content/node

United States Congress:
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Heller, Dean (Sen.) R - NV 96%

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Amodei, Mark (Rep. - 02nd) R - NV 68%

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