Thread: Immigration reform could emerge again in the fall

Immigration reform could emerge again in the fall
By Steve Stoddard and J. Taylor Rushing
Posted: 05/25/09 09:31 AM [ET]

Senate Democrats may be close to 60 votes on a measure that would represent the first step towards immigration reform under President Obama.

The Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act is a concept dear to Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin's (D-Ill.) heart, and while health care reform may get this summer’s headlines in Washington, the DREAM Act may be a sleeper.

Defeated in Oct. 2007 on a cloture vote of 52-44, the Senate’s new math appears to approach the necessary threshold of 60 votes based on the 2007 votes, election results and co-sponsorship.

The White House has scheduled a June 8 meeting among members of Congress on immigration reform. And President Barack Obama, a close ally of Durbin, has publicly declared his commitment to the overall idea.

Introduced in the Senate on March 26 and co-sponsored by Sen. Richard Lugar (R-Ind.), the DREAM Act has so far largely escaped notice. It would offer a path to U.S. citizenship for undocumented immigrant children who meet various criteria such as having lived in the U.S. for five years and completing classes at a U.S. high school. If accepted, applicants would obtain temporary citizenship for six years, during which they must obtain a two-year college degree or spend two years in military service to obtain permanent residency.

Currently, immigrant children can only obtain permanent residency through their parents, not independently.

Strategically, the legislation is likely to be rolled into an overall immigration bill to attract votes. Durbin says he has the votes to pass the bill, for example, but prefers to do it as part of a comprehensive immigration package.

“I think it could pass if called. And of course Sen. Lugar's co-sponsorship gives me some confidence that a few Republicans will support it,â€

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) appears on board with the idea, telling the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in a recent speech that he is “committed to offering this year comprehensive immigration reform that is strong, practical and fair.â€

I thought Reid's S9 that is supposed to be called up in September was the one we had to really worry about?

http://www.opencongress.org/bill/111-s9/text

“I've got so many young people who are counting on me for the eight years I've been working on this, and I feel morally bound to do my best to get this done as quickly as possible," Durbin said.

What about the millions of Americans who are counting on you to represent them ? Why do you not feel morally bound to them ?

Originally Posted by Hawk

“I've got so many young people who are counting on me for the eight years I've been working on this, and I feel morally bound to do my best to get this done as quickly as possible," Durbin said.

What about the millions of Americans who are counting on you to represent them ? Why do you not feel morally bound to them ?

So true. What a traitor. How could anyone vote Durbin back in?