Thread: Immigration Effort Draws GOP Backer

AUGUST 7, 2009
Immigration Effort Draws GOP Backer
Comments (11)

By CAM SIMPSON

WASHINGTON -- Senate Democrats have found a Republican in Sen. Lindsey Graham to help them push for passage of a comprehensive immigration overhaul this year.

But the lag in getting prominent support from a Republican -- more than two months after Democrats first announced their push -- shows how complicated prospects for passage could be this year, as immigration remains a wedge inside an increasingly divided GOP.

Democrats and Republicans say Mr. Graham of South Carolina is working behind the scenes with Sen. Charles Schumer (D., N.Y.) to gain support from other GOP members. Mr. Schumer is quarterbacking this year's campaign for an overhaul.

The bill is still taking shape, but it is expected to include key features of unsuccessful 2006 and 2007 immigration proposals, including a path to legal status for many of the illegal immigrants already inside the U.S. and measures to strengthen border security. The proposal to allow illegal immigrants to achieve legal status has drawn opposition from those who see it as an unwarranted reward for breaking the law.

A new Gallup poll this week showed Americans less favorable to immigration than they were a year ago, which could make the climate for legislation even tougher. Now 50% of those surveyed say immigration should be decreased, which is up significantly from the 39% who said the same a year ago.

Mr. Schumer is likely to introduce a bill after senators return in September, although a health-care overhaul and other legislative efforts are higher priorities for congressional Democrats and the Obama administration.

Wes Hickman, a spokesman for Mr. Graham, said in a statement that "Senator Graham is ready and willing to play a key role in immigration reform. He intends to work with many of his colleagues on both sides of the aisle."

Mr. Graham, a second-term Republican, supported efforts backed by then-President George W. Bush to remake immigration policy, despite fierce criticism from many Republicans in his home state.

Sen. John McCain (R., Ariz.), who led those earlier drives along with Sen. Edward Kennedy (D., Mass.), isn't expected to play a prominent role this year. He faces a primary challenge next year in the state he has represented for more than two decades. One of his opponents is a founder of a controversial group that conducts civilian patrols along the border in search of illegal immigrants.

Lawmakers from both parties, but especially Republicans, have faced intense criticism from populist corners of their constituencies, where there is support for a zero-tolerance, enforcement-only approach to immigration.

Pulling in the other direction for Republicans is strong support from business groups for guest-worker programs, including for high-tech workers, and a way to legalize many of the high- and low-skill foreign laborers already inside the U.S.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124957962686211693.html

The bill is still taking shape, but it is expected to include key features of unsuccessful 2006 and 2007 immigration proposals, including a path to legal status for many of the illegal immigrants already inside the U.S. and measures to strengthen border security. The proposal to allow illegal immigrants to achieve legal status has drawn opposition from those who see it as an unwarranted reward for breaking the law.

Ha ha ha........"the amnesty bill will include measures to stengthen border security"....... ha ha ha

They are such jokers. What a sense of humor they have.

No kidding!

Sen.Schumer's theory---and now apparently Lindsey Graham's too--is that heightened border security efforts and combatting Mexican drug cartels is all that is necessary to make the US "secure."

Of course they neglect the fact that drug gangs are now rooted in 200 American cities; document fraud rings can organize wherever they have a computer and a high quality printer; marriage fraud rings have been uncovered several times during the last year; illegal foreigners incessantly pester OUR own elected officials; hordes of aliens are found in border region drophouses and other smuggling venues: etc. etc.

Why don't these clowns get a clue?

Originally Posted by Captainron

Sen.Schumer's theory---and now apparently Lindsey Graham's too--is that heightened border security efforts and combatting Mexican drug cartels is all that is necessary to make the US "secure."

Of course they neglect the fact that drug gangs are now rooted in 200 American cities; document fraud rings can organize wherever they have a computer and a high quality printer; marriage fraud rings have been uncovered several times during the last year; illegal foreigners incessantly pester OUR own elected officials; hordes of aliens are found in border region drophouses and other smuggling venues: etc. etc.

Why don't these clowns get a clue?

Exactly. If the aliens can just make it across the border, they're home free. Since the Obama Admin has implemented their new Defacto Amnesty Program, the Fed gov is no longer enforcing any immigration laws.

The bill is still taking shape, but it is expected to include key features of unsuccessful 2006 and 2007 immigration proposals, including a path to legal status for many of the illegal immigrants already inside the U.S. and measures to strengthen border security. The proposal to allow illegal immigrants to achieve legal status has drawn opposition from those who see it as an unwarranted reward for breaking the law.

Yea...they said the same thing after the amnesty of 86! We are still waiting for that border security to materalize!

not this moron again.
you would think after the last attempt that the people of S C told him enough was enough. Im sure that people there dont want to give in to illegals.
and I know most of the rest of the country doesnt either.

This is the same Blanket Amnesty that the Elitist Politicians, their Elitist Political Contributors, and Special Interest Groups with the Leadership of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce have been sponsoring for the last 20 years.

If you want a list of Graham's fellow party members who will more than likely vote for the Blanket Amnesty Bill for the ILLEGALS see the list of the ones who voted for the Pro Blanket Amnesty Justice today.

Graham is already the darling of the Pro-Amnesty groups, he spent last summer and fall speaking with all of the Pro-Amnesty Special Interest Groups! He was also one of the Pro-Amnesty Senators who received a wink from then President Bush with a comment of "I will see you at the signing" of course referring to their anticipated signing of their adored Blanket Amnesty Bill.

the people of SC re-elected their favorite RINO, pro amnesty Senator Graham again. HGe made no secret of his position. He wants amnesty. The people have spoken--they want a pro amnesty Senator. They do not care about the job losses and the cost to their state.

Unfortunately, their spineless choice has national effects and all of us suffer because of the voters of South Carolina.

Graham--pro Sotomayor, pro amnesty.

Senator Graham's loyalty is with his Elitist Political Contributors and their Special Interest Groups and not with our Citizens. His questions to the Court nominee were more "smoke and mirrors" instead of substance.