Thread: Senators Brace for Immigration Backlash

Senators Brace for Immigration Backlash


By JULIE HIRSCHFELD DAVIS

Last updated: Friday, May 25, 2007 1:47 PM EDT

WASHINGTON - Lawmakers are bracing for political blowback from liberal and conservative critics of a broad immigration reform measure that will be on hold as they head home for a weeklong break.

Supporters and opponents said they would use the time off to influence senators who will face major immigration votes when they return to complete the bipartisan measure. The bill would legalize millions of unlawful immigrants, tighten border security and mandate that employers verify they are hiring legal workers.

"As we head into the Memorial Day weekend, members of the Immigration Reform Caucus will go back to their districts and remind their constituents about the long-lasting damage passing an amnesty bill would have on our efforts to address illegal immigration," said Brian Bilbray, R-Calif., a vocal opponent of the measure.

A coalition of organizations actively pressing for passage of the bill _ including labor, Hispanic advocacy and religious groups _ also was planning a strong push to encourage lawmakers who support it not to back down.

"They're going to be targeted by a small but loud anti-reform minority," said Clarissa Martinez of the Coalition for Comprehensive Immigration Reform. "They must not buckle under the pressure."

Lawmakers have already begun hearing vocal opposition to the measure.

"I have learned some new words from some of my constituents," said Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., an influential conservative who is under intense criticism in his border state for crafting a bipartisan deal to create a guest worker program and a path to citizenship while tightening border security.

The Senate began considering the bill this week and will return to it in June.

The measure includes conservative-backed initiatives such as the worker verification program to prevent illegal immigrants from getting jobs, and a new point system to prioritize skills and education over family in deciding who can immigrate in the future.

Liberals decry the point scheme as unfair to families and are vehemently opposed to a guest worker program that would allow laborers to come to the U.S. for temporary stints without a guarantee they would be able to stay and eventually gain citizenship.

But it also includes a long-sought liberal priority: granting legal status to the nation's estimated 12 million illegal immigrants. Conservatives view that as an unacceptable amnesty program.

President Bush, who has made enactment of an immigration measure a top domestic priority, said he wasn't surprised at the tenor of the debate, and he urged lawmakers to look beyond it and deliver him a bill anyway.

"We've been through immigration debates in this country, and they can bring out the worst sometimes in people," Bush said. "But the question is, will members of Congress rise above politics?"

Backers of the deal said they were confident about facing their constituents over the break.

"I look forward to going back home and standing up for what I believe to be the right answer, listening to criticism. But time is on our side because our product is better than those who want to do nothing," said Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C.

Some lawmakers were uneasy, however, about trying to explain the complex bill to a skeptical public.

Architects of the bill planned to spend next week in intense negotiations on proposed changes that could upset their delicate bipartisan deal and doom its chances for passage.

These include Republican-backed limits to the legalization program for unlawful immigrants and modifications sought by Democrats to give foreign family members of permanent residents and U.S. citizens more opportunities to join their relatives in the U.S.

A service of the Associated Press(AP)

"We've been through immigration debates in this country, and they can bring out the worst sometimes in people," Bush said. "But the question is, will members of Congress rise above politics?"

I certainly hope they rise above the politics and vote against the compromise amnesty bill!

I think there is alot of people getting worried about one little week out mingling with the American citizens HUMMM, seems even the special intrest groups are showing concern Whats the problem affraid they are going to hear what Americans really want and not what you tell them we want!!
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Originally Posted by BetsyRoss

Liberals decry the point scheme as unfair to families and are vehemently opposed to a guest worker program that would allow laborers to come to the U.S. for temporary stints

But it also includes a long-sought liberal priority: granting legal status to the nation's estimated 12 million illegal immigrants.

What is more important to liberals, more green cards in place of a temporary worker program, or the amnesty?

I know LaRaza and the Communist Party prefers the amnesty. Maybe those are the "liberals" this article talks about.

My two traitorous senators, Boxer and Feinstein will be hiding out in or near San Francisco. I live in the illegal alien epicenter near Los Angeles. Neither of these two cowards will venture anywhere near my area. Folks down here would skin them alive if they caught sight of either of them. NO, they'll stay up north with the rest of the left wing liberals.

Notice how this biased article quotes three sources that are pro Amnesty and only 1 source (Bilbray) that is opposed?

Also, amnesty supporting non legislative groups like this one are quoted..

"They're going to be targeted by a small but loud anti-reform minority," said Clarissa Martinez of the Coalition for Comprehensive Immigration Reform. "They must not buckle under the pressure."

But NO non elected groups opposing amnesty are quoted.

There is a virtual print media blackout on the immigration enforcement groups right now.

For the last two weeks, I have done countless local TV, talk radio, and blogger Interviews along with BBC.

The ONLY print media interview I have done is Christian Science Monitor.

W

Yes, just like the Real ID media Blackout for criticism, the only media who is speaking up is talk radio. They are desperate to hide the fact that more than 80% of Americans are truely disgusted with this Amnesty Plan.

You begin to realize the whole social fabric of America is being manipulated by the corporation controlled press.

Lawmakers expect questions about immigration bill

Web Posted: 05/25/2007 05:24 PM CDT

Gary Martin
Express-News Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON — Senators headed home Friday where they expected to hear an earful from constituents who are angry with provisions in an immigration reform bill.


Congress is in a week-long recess for the Memorial Day holiday, but most lawmakers have scheduled public appearances back home, and questions about immigration are bound to come up.

Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, a critic of the immigration bill, said his office is fielding 700 to 1,000 calls a day, with 80 percent to 90 percent opposed to the Senate reform legislation.

“That expresses the kind of skepticism a lot of people feel,â€