Obama could jumpstart immigration reform tomorrow

June 24th, 2009, 1:47 pm
Posted by Dena Bunis, Washington Bureau Chief
Orange County Register

Immigration advocates today said they want nothing short of a roadmap for action after tomorrow’s White House meeting where President Barack Obama will meet with the lawmakers from both parties who will be key to any renewed debate on a comprehensive immigration reform bill.

Rep. Loretta Sanchez, D-Garden Grove, who chairs the subcommittee on the border, will be among the House members and senators at the meeting. It’s a bipartisan group but according to Hill publications more Democrats than Republicans will be there.

Just minutes before a conference call with leaders from labor, business, the clergy and immigrant rights to talk about rejuvenating the immigration debate, a key Democratic player laid down his marker for a bill and said despite the naysayers he believes a law can be passed during this Congress.

“When the President asks me whether we can pass comprehensive immigration reform this Congress, I will smile and say, “Mr. President, yes we can,’’ said Sen. Chuck Schumer. The New York Democrat chairs the immigration subcommittee. “All of the fundamental building blocks are in place to pass comprehensive immigration reform this session and, even possibly, later this year,’â€