Thread: CA - ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION: Pressure on Linder, Emmerson on letter

December 12, 2013 by David Olson
pe.com

Anti-illegal-immigration activists are pushing Assemblyman Eric Linder, R-Corona, retiring Sen. Bill Emmerson, R-Redlands and 13 other GOP state legislators to withdraw their signatures from a letter supporting comprehensive immigration reform with a path to citizenship for millions of people in the country illegally.

The letter urges California Republican members of Congress to encourage House Speaker John Boehner to call a vote on immigration reform.

Activists with the anti-illegal-immigration group We the People Rising rallied in front of Linder’s Corona office last week and then met with a staff member.

Last month, members of We the People Rising and other groups met with Emmerson after a rally outside his Redlands office.

Anti-illegal-immigration activists have visited other legislators’ offices as well, to thank those who didn’t sign the letter and ask those who did to take their signatures off.

“The letter should have been about enforcing the law,” said Robin Hvidston, executive director of We the People Rising and an Upland resident.

Hvidston told me Linder, Emmerson and other legislators should focus on expanding the number of jobs for U.S. workers.

Anti-illegal-immigration activists argue that giving legal status to millions in the country illegally would take away jobs from citizens and legal residents. Economists disagree as to the impact legalization would have on jobs.

State legislators do not vote on changes in immigration law. But Hvidston say Republican lawmakers influence the opinions of GOP members of Congress. And many legislators later run for Congress, she said.

Linder’s office released a written statement in which the assemblyman said, “The letter encourages Congress to do its duty and take action. It also supports legal immigration by promoting essential reforms: enhanced border security, sanctions on employers who break the law and not disadvantaging those going through the citizenship process. Everybody has a right to express different views and I welcome and enjoy good dialogue on important issues.”

The letter does not support a particular bill. It says there should be an “opportunity for undocumented residents to earn their way to full citizenship, but only behind those who have applied to become citizens through the current citizenship process.”

In June, the Senate approved a comprehensive immigration bill with a path to citizenship. But Boehner said he will not allow a vote on a comprehensive immigration bill in the GOP-controlled House unless it has the support of a majority of House Republicans. Few House Republicans have publicly stated support for a path to citizenship.

Nearly 48 percent of the voting-age population in Linder’s 60th Assembly district is Latino, according to this report by Latino Decisions, a political polling firm.

http://blog.pe.com/multicultural-emp...son-on-letter/

"It says there should be an “opportunity for undocumented residents to earn their way to full citizenship, but only behind those who have applied to become citizens through the current citizenship process.”


How will they be 'behind' those applying legally when they will be able to stay here and keep their jobs and go about their lives as though nothing has changed. Those applying legally are still in their country waiting to get here.