Immigration reform will 'have to wait'
Monday, October 19, 2009
Last updated: Monday October 19, 2009, 6:39 AM
BY ELIZABETH LLORENTE
The Record
STAFF WRITER
4 Comments

Amid growing criticism by immigration advocates that the Obama administration is failing to move forward on its promise of comprehensive immigration reform, U.S. Labor Secretary Hilda Solis on Sunday said the president plans to have new laws in place by next year.

"First, we have to pass health care reform," Solis said during an interview in North Bergen, where she appeared at a brunch for Latina leaders to rally support for the reelection of Governor Corzine. "It's important to our success as a party to pass health care reform."

Then the administration would be able to push for immigration reform on stronger political footing, Solis said.

Many immigration advocates have assailed the administration for appearing to table — for the moment, at least — promised plans to reform immigration in a way that would improve enforcement while at the same time provide some of the nation's 12 million undocumented immigrants with a path to legalization.

At the same time, those who favor strict immigration enforcement criticize the administration for not doing enough to enforce immigration laws already in place. Proponents of strict immigration enforcement also disapprove of plans to legalize people who are here illegally, saying it amounts to an amnesty and would encourage more people to enter the United States illegally.

Solis said providing a path to legalization would help bring people "out of the shadows," as well as be a boost to the economy. She said they would have to earn legalization by learning English, perhaps paying a fine and waiting their turn, after those who have gone through the application process the legal way.

"If you bring people out of the shadows, they will pay taxes and we won't lose tax revenues," she said. "Employers will have to pay workers compensation and taxes; this benefits the whole economy."

The Rev. Miguel Rivera, a Ridgefield resident and head of a national Latino clergy group that is calling for illegal immigrants to boycott the 2010 census if there is no immigration reform by early next year, balked when told of Solis' comments.

"Baloney," he said. "Obama made many promises to the community, but he has not put any political capital that we can see into putting immigration reform in motion. The Hispanic community will remember this in next year's elections."

Amid growing criticism by immigration advocates that the Obama administration is failing to move forward on its promise of comprehensive immigration reform, U.S. Labor Secretary Hilda Solis on Sunday said the president plans to have new laws in place by next year.

"First, we have to pass health care reform," Solis said during an interview in North Bergen, where she appeared at a brunch for Latina leaders to rally support for the reelection of Governor Corzine. "It's important to our success as a party to pass health care reform."

Then the administration would be able to push for immigration reform on stronger political footing, Solis said.

Many immigration advocates have assailed the administration for appearing to table — for the moment, at least — promised plans to reform immigration in a way that would improve enforcement while at the same time provide some of the nation's 12 million undocumented immigrants with a path to legalization.

At the same time, those who favor strict immigration enforcement criticize the administration for not doing enough to enforce immigration laws already in place. Proponents of strict immigration enforcement also disapprove of plans to legalize people who are here illegally, saying it amounts to an amnesty and would encourage more people to enter the United States illegally.

Solis said providing a path to legalization would help bring people "out of the shadows," as well as be a boost to the economy. She said they would have to earn legalization by learning English, perhaps paying a fine and waiting their turn, after those who have gone through the application process the legal way.

"If you bring people out of the shadows, they will pay taxes and we won't lose tax revenues," she said. "Employers will have to pay workers compensation and taxes; this benefits the whole economy."

The Rev. Miguel Rivera, a Ridgefield resident and head of a national Latino clergy group that is calling for illegal immigrants to boycott the 2010 census if there is no immigration reform by early next year, balked when told of Solis' comments.

"Baloney," he said. "Obama made many promises to the community, but he has not put any political capital that we can see into putting immigration reform in motion. The Hispanic community will remember this in next year's elections."

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