Thread: Exclusive: Republicans prepare 2015 immigration legislation

Exclusive: Republicans prepare 2015 immigration legislation

BY RICHARD COWAN
WASHINGTON Thu Dec 4, 2014 7:27pm EST


Demonstrators picket against the possible arrivals of undocumented migrants who may be processed at the Murrieta Border Patrol Station in Murrieta, California July 1, 2014.
CREDIT: REUTERS/SAM HODGSON

(Reuters) - U.S. Republicans, outraged with President Barack Obama for easing deportations of millions of undocumented residents, plan legislation in 2015 strengthening the U.S.-Mexican border to discourage illegal immigration.

The move, likely to come early next year according to House Republican leadership aides, may lead to other steps the House of Representatives could contemplate to repair parts of U.S. immigration law.

When legislation materializes, it would follow a year and half of congressional inactivity in the aftermath of the passage of a sprawling Senate bill backed by Obama but killed by the House.

"I think there is the realization...that this issue is not going away," said Republican Representative Mario Diaz-Balart, who has labored to write broad immigration legislation.

House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Michael McCaul likely will oversee the effort, according to leadership aides. McCaul has pushed legislation imposing tough standards for border apprehensions.

Given the House's rejection of the Senate's work in 2013, a strategy is emerging for 2015 to have the House take the lead in the hope of making better progress.

The 2013 Senate bill's pathway to citizenship for millions of undocumented residents was a lightning rod for opposition.
"I want it to start in the House," said Republican Senator John McCain, a leading immigration reform proponent.

McCain said bills improving border security, establishing an online system for companies to check their workers' immigration status and expanding visas for high-tech foreign workers could be first out of the gate. The latter two are important to U.S. businesses.

Senior House Republican aides said it was unclear what bills might move next year beyond border security.

Republicans hope to gain more control of the immigration debate as they will hold majorities in the House and Senate for the first time since 2006.

They need to improve their standing with Hispanic-American voters as the party strives to capture the White House in 2016.

DIFFICULTIES ABOUND

Passing tougher immigration measures will be difficult, though, as Democratic votes will be needed.

Obama warned business leaders this week that "it's going to be hard, I think, for me and for other Democrats" to support piecemeal legislation that deals with the concerns of business but does not address undocumented Americans.

One leading Democrat on immigration, Representative Zoe Lofgren, was asked if she could support a Republican border security bill, for example.

"It depends on what it is," Lofgren said, adding Republican Representative "Steve King wants to do a (border) wall with electrified wire...I don't think that's a winning vote."

Ultimately, Republicans must address the approximately 12 million undocumented residents living in the United States for extended periods, McCain and Diaz-Balart said.

Many Republicans argue that allowing them to stay in the U.S. rewards law-breakers.

Meanwhile, House Republican leadership is more conservative with the recent election of Representative Steve Scalise to the third-ranking position. Scalise opposes giving legal status to undocumented residents.

Furthermore, the House immigration debate could unfold as a seasonal spike of illegal migration from Central America gets underway. Last summer's arrival of tens of thousands of unaccompanied minors stoked tensions between Republicans and immigration advocates.

For legislation to succeed in 2015, "a lot of things have to line up and they're not lined up now," said one Republican congressman who asked not to be identified.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/...0JI2JX20141205

Just a few minutes ago I read from NEWSMAX that Rep. Sessions and Rep. Goodlatte are working on an amnesty bill. Session was inviting Luis Gutiérrez to join them in the effort. Sessions was adamantly positive that in 2015 a comprehensive immigration bill would be passed by (get this), passed by Republicans. TATA American jobs and living standards, just like Reagan did but 10 times worse in numbers.

Originally Posted by kevinssdad

Just a few minutes ago I read from NEWSMAX that Rep. Sessions and Rep. Goodlatte are working on an amnesty bill. Session was inviting Luis Gutiérrez to join them in the effort. Sessions was adamantly positive that in 2015 a comprehensive immigration bill would be passed by (get this), passed by Republicans. TATA American jobs and living standards, just like Reagan did but 10 times worse in numbers.

If so the GOP can forget my support in 2016, I will be finished with them.

Originally Posted by oldguy

If so the GOP can forget my support in 2016, I will be finished with them.

Do you reckon that we can find enough to Senators to oppose a House bill as we found enough Representatives to oppose he Senate bill 744? Maybe Dems to oppose a Repub. bill?

It appears that it cannot be denied any longer that voters gave up on increasingly better living standards for Americans when they elected an acting President back in 1980 and '84. After something is done once, it establishes precedent for the next time. I'm very glad that I did not vote for any republicans this election, not even dog catcher!

Originally Posted by kevinssdad

Just a few minutes ago I read from NEWSMAX that Rep. Sessions and Rep. Goodlatte are working on an amnesty bill. Session was inviting Luis Gutiérrez to join them in the effort. Sessions was adamantly positive that in 2015 a comprehensive immigration bill would be passed by (get this), passed by Republicans. TATA American jobs and living standards, just like Reagan did but 10 times worse in numbers.

What Rep. Pet Sessions, not to be confused with Sen. Sessions, says and gets done on the issue are two very different things. It will be very tough for House leadership to get an amnesty bill through the new Congress. Any bill passed through the House will have to include amnesty to get Democrat support and the majority of Republicans in the House just aren't going to support it. As for a bill that does not include amnesty, we don't have the votes to avoid an Obama veto. In my opinion, the Republican controlled House will need to attack the issue one bill at a time, starting with enhanced border security. In my opinion, a true comprehensive immigration reform (amnesty) bill will be a very tough sell next year, which is good for us.

In 2015 we must get loud, very loud, and drown out the Dreamers, illegal immigrant, and illegal immigrant activist voices!

I have pointed out to my Congressman, than if he goes along with the establishment (paid for by the Chamber of Commerce) GOP. that he will have to rely on his new amnestied illegal constituency to re elect him, I will stay at home.

Originally Posted by Newmexican

I have pointed out to my Congressman, than if he goes along with the establishment (paid for by the Chamber of Commerce) GOP. that he will have to rely on his new amnestied illegal constituency to re elect him, I will stay at home.

I have written same message to my Representatives and for someone who has voted nearly 50 years every election very serious step however I will hold true to what I told them no more votes for the GOP if they continue on current path.

It's like watching termites eat your home until it collapses because the pest control company was spraying with water instead of pesticides and putting untreated wood in the bait traps instead of poison.

Originally Posted by Newmexican

(Reuters) - U.S. Republicans, outraged with President Barack Obama for easing deportations of millions of undocumented residents, plan legislation in 2015 strengthening the U.S.-Mexican border to discourage illegal immigration.

Huffing and puffing and blowing a smoke screen in the faces of people who trusted them to control illegal immigration.

Bama is already hiring people to issue the documents - social security cards, etc. - which will make any border legislation an expensive joke.

A phase-in of Universal E-Verify was part of the Senate's immigration bill. Implementing Universal E-Verify actually would stem the flow of illegals, so I'm not hopeful that the new Congressional majority will implement it. The Repubs big-money donors want surplus labor, I'm guessing that the new majority will give them what they covet.
****************************
Americans first in this magnificent country

American jobs for American workers

Fair trade, not free trade

Originally Posted by kevinssdad

Just a few minutes ago I read from NEWSMAX that Rep. Sessions and Rep. Goodlatte are working on an amnesty bill. Session was inviting Luis Gutiérrez to join them in the effort. Sessions was adamantly positive that in 2015 a comprehensive immigration bill would be passed by (get this), passed by Republicans. TATA American jobs and living standards, just like Reagan did but 10 times worse in numbers.

That would be Senator PETE Sessions of Texas, not Jeff Sessions of Alabama.