Ugly fight forecast for immigration reform

Ventura County Star
By Tom Kisken (Contact)
Tuesday, September 8, 2009

The issue is so divisive its inclusion in this article guarantees dozens, if not hundreds, of online comments and e-mails soaked with enough anger and conviction that any middle ground will likely be swamped.

And no, the topic isn’t healthcare reform.

As Congress and the White House resume efforts to reshape health insurance and access to care, a growing line of observers and experts predict that success or failure could dictate the fate of a path to citizenship for the nation’s estimated 12 million illegal immigrants.

If President Barack Obama wins the healthcare battle, the odds are probably 50-50 he’ll be able to convince Congress to pass immigration reform, said Kareem Crayton, associate professor of law and political science at USC.

“If he doesn’t get (healthcare) passed, it’s not all that different from zero,â€