Thread: Yes, High-Skill Immigration Reform Is Still Dead This Calendar Year

Alex Wilhelm
3 hours ago
techcrunch.com



Breaking non-news out today: Immigration reform is dead in 2013, meaning that high-skill immigration reform is also kaput this year. We already mostly knew that, but the third-ranking Republican in the House confirmed the fact today.

According to TalkingPointsMemo, “California Rep. Kevin McCarthy, the majority whip, said in a meeting with immigration proponents that there weren’t enough days left for the House to act and he was committed to addressing overhaul of the nation’s immigration system next year.” So, that’s that.

Not in 2013? Who cares! It’s the end of the year anyways! Well, yes, but if you are in favor of immigration reform, and many in tech are quite keen on fixing our high-skill immigration system, losing this legislative session is pretty darn bad.

In short, next year is an election year. That means the potential of primary challenges for sitting House members, which is a threat that can be used to force voting patterns. Currently, the far right is opposed to a path to citizenship, something that the Senate included in its immigration package. It will be a flashpoint in the debate, when we have it, between the parties and chambers of Congress.

And that flashpoint heats up when primary challenges are held up as threats to enforce orthodoxy. Don’t trust me, though. What do I know? Instead, listen to Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart of Florida. He’s a Republican who, according to the Washington Post, has been involved in immigration negotiations. Here’s his take on getting immigration reform done next year:

“I’m hopeful that we can get to it early next year. But I am keenly aware that next year, you start running into the election cycle. If we cannot get it done by early next year, then it’s clearly dead. It flatlines.”

I am not convinced that that is possible.

http://techcrunch.com/2013/11/08/yes...calendar-year/

The horror of so-called "high skill" immigration is that it's based on a false premise. When I think of all the highly skilled Americans who were pushed out of their careers, and the poverty and instability endured by their kids as a result, I just want to cry. I run into ex-IT Americans EVERYWHERE - working in a bicycle shop, measuring my son for a graduation suit, at a craft show, etc. There was never anything wrong with American workers and there isn't now. Check out this handy summary: http://www.brightfuturejobs.com/what...new_the_secret

Originally Posted by BetsyRoss

The horror of so-called "high skill" immigration is that it's based on a false premise. When I think of all the highly skilled Americans who were pushed out of their careers, and the poverty and instability endured by their kids as a result, I just want to cry. I run into ex-IT Americans EVERYWHERE - working in a bicycle shop, measuring my son for a graduation suit, at a craft show, etc. There was never anything wrong with American workers and there isn't now. Check out this handy summary: http://www.brightfuturejobs.com/what...new_the_secret

AMEN, BR!!! It infuriates me!!

Sorry I ain't buying it. You have posted on this site how Zuckerberger is giving free training to illegal aliens punks to train them to abuse the internet to push for amnesty. The billionaires have been all over the hill pressuring congressmen and purchasing votes for amnesty. There is so much money and activity pushing for amnesty I find it incomprehensible that it is dead for this year.

I think all of the "amnesty ain't gonna happen" stuff is intended to make opponents of amnesty relax and blindside them with a new law before they know what hit them. Keep the phone calls and other protests going non stop. DO NOT RELAX OR DROP YOUR GUARD.