Thread: Will GOP Win Transform Immigration Reform?

Will GOP win transform immigration reform?

BY CINDY CARCAMO
THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
November 9, 2010

The immigration debate is poised to take a dramatic shift after Republicans swept the midterm elections this year.

Experts on both sides of the issue say immigration enforcement legislation efforts could overtake attempts to legalize the millions who are in the country illegally.

And while it may seem like a rerun of the 2005-06 immigration debate, it may be different this time, activists say. Not only has the GOP garnered control of the House but it has also grabbed substantial seats in the Senate, putting anti-illegal immigration activists on the offense after nearly a decade of playing defense.

"It's going to be much more heated than the last two years," said Roy Beck, who heads the anti-illegal immigration group NumbersUSA. "People will get riled up all over the country. The marches will pick up steam again ... it's going to get hot and heavy."

Activists on both sides of the issue say they're ready for a fierce fight that will force the issue of border security, legal and illegal immigration into the forefront of national politics.

"We're very likely to have a loud, noisy debate on whether we want massive expulsion or some kind of comprehensive immigration solution," said Frank Sharry, executive director of America's Voice, a group pushing for comprehensive reform that would legalize the millions who are here illegally.

"That choice is going to become real clear to the American people in the next two years," he said.

However, both sides agree, that effort is pretty much dead. The real clash will come on issues of immigration enforcement efforts, such as mandatory E-Verify, work visas and the obliteration of birthright citizenship.

"The Republican house is likely to pass some of the most extreme anti-immigrant legislation in recent history that we've seen in our generation," Sharry said.

A fenced border and the elimination of benefits for those here illegally, such as free education for illegal immigrant children, are just a few items on Rep. Dana Rohrbacher's wish list.

Rohrbacher, R-Costa Mesa, said he hopes the Republican-controlled house will push for these types of immigration enforcement bills.

"I expect there to be a real tough immigration bill that will make its way to a vote in the next Congress," Rohrbacher said.

In addition, Rep. Lamar Smith, R-San Antonio, is expected to become chairman of the House Judiciary Committee. Smith is known for his tough stance on illegal immigration.

"The enforcement of our immigration laws is critical to both our national security and economic prosperity," he told the San Antonio Express-News. "We need to know who is entering our country, and why."

While Sharry believes the Democratic-controlled Senate and President Barack Obama will serve as a firewall to any sole enforcement bills, Beck said they may be backed into a tough political corner.

The key is to frame the immigration dialogue around jobs, Beck said.

"I think it needs to be a pure job-related immigration bill," he said. "Obama would be forced to sign it."

A bill that would make enrollment of E-Verify mandatory for all employers could do the trick, according to Beck.

E-Verify is a free web-based system that allows employers to check the validity of a new hire's social security number to determine whether he or she is authorized to work in the United States.

"Democrats would have to answer the question, 'Why should illegal foreign workers be allowed to keep their jobs when there are 22 million Americans who are looking for jobs?' " Beck said. "You have to choose between unemployed Americans and illegal aliens who have jobs. Make the choice. Who gets the jobs?' If the leaders frame it this way, I think it could pass and force the president to pass it."

Another possibility would be to introduce a bill doing away with a lottery that gives away permanent worker visas to thousands of foreigners every year.

Sharry said the anti-illegal immigration fervor in the new Congress may spark a backlash during the 2012 elections.

"If you're a Republican operative and you're looking at the presidential map in 2012 and if you don't win 35 to 40 percent of the Latino vote in the key states, you're going to lose them. This could be Barack Obama's firewall," he said.

Others say they are still clinging to the hope of comprehensive immigration reform, focusing on legalizing those who are here illegally.

"We have voices on the conservative side who are calling for this," said Wendy Tarr, spokeswoman for Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice Orange County. "In the faith-based community there have been conservatives for immigration reform."

On the other side of the aisle, activists say they are heartened by more enforcement-only legislators making their way to Washington.

Barbara Coe, who heads the anti-illegal immigration group California Coalition for Immigration Reform in Huntington Beach, said she and her members still plan to make calls, blast e-mails and faxes to legislators.

"It's no time to sit back and consider it a victory," Coe said. "It's something we have to continually keep pressure on."

Contact the writer: 714-796-7924 or ccarcamo@ocregister.com or twitter.com/thecindycarcamo

http://www.ocregister.com/news/immigrat ... ement.html

The ball is in our court......now we have to hit them hard and heavy to force them to do what is right for America and the American worker!!

Enforce the laws on the books, pass mandantory e-verifiy and deport illegal aliens and open back up the job market for American citizens first and formost.