Thread: Democrats split on Immigration

Democratic Party Splinters on Immigration
By LIZ SIDOTI, Associated Press Writer
Sat Apr 22, 2:55 AM

NEW ORLEANS - Republicans remain divided on immigration, but Democrats also are finding that their diverse rank-and-file isn't entirely on the same page on the emotional _ and politically tricky _ issue.

"Border security is our top priority. But we're not going to do border security alone. We want comprehensive immigration reform," Democratic national chairman Howard Dean said Friday in laying down his party's position.

It was clear, however, that total agreement was lacking in a party that wears diversity as a badge of honor.

"There are different views. We need to get together on this," said Maria Luna, a Democratic National Committee member from New York who was born in the Dominican Republic and became a U.S. citizen in the late 1970s. "The party really needs to respect the needs of everyone or we'll continue to be kicked around by the Republican Party."

The issue has roiled the country in recent weeks as lawmakers debated legislation on Capitol Hill.

In the Senate, Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., intends to seek passage of immigration legislation by Memorial Day, hoping to revive an election-year effort to tighten border security and give some of the millions of illegal immigrants in the United States a chance at citizenship.

The Republican-run House has passed a bill that is limited to border security, but leaders indicated recently they would be receptive to broader legislation.

Republicans have been pulled in different directions on the issue by business supporters, who believe foreign workers help the economy, and other conservative backers who take a hard line on illegal immigration.

Democratic splinters on the issue showed at the DNC's spring meeting in New Orleans. Members wrote at least two symbolic resolutions on immigration.

One co-sponsored by Dean urged the Bush administration to support "comprehensive immigration reform to include a path to legalization for immigrants already in the United States."

Dean told reporters that he supported legislation in the Senate sponsored by Sens. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., and John McCain, R-Ariz. It gives most of the estimated 11 million illegal immigrants a chance at eventual citizenship if they meet certain conditions.

The DNC's Hispanic Caucus crafted a different resolution that says all individuals in the United States _ regardless of whether they are in the country illegally _ should be able to seek to become a U.S. citizen.

"We believe that any immigrant _ any immigrant _ residing in this nation has a right _ a right _ to have access to the process allowing U.S. citizenship. No ifs. No buts," Alvaro Cifuentes, the head of the caucus, told the executive committee. "And, we feel that the underlying theme is that there is nothing more un-American than to be anti-immigrant."

Some Democrats said the party as a whole is all over the map on immigration and that Democratic leaders are treading carefully so they don't alienate segments of their base _ blacks and labor unions _ or reverse the progress they have made in attracting Hispanics to the party.

But Democratic National Committee officials said the party is mostly unified when it comes to three basic principles on immigration reform _ secure borders, opportunities for earned citizenship for immigrants and policies that keep families together.

The differences, they said, are in the details.

"Everybody agrees on two or three things. Beyond that, it gets difficult," said Moses Mercado, the DNC's director of intergovernmental affairs. "It's the nuances."

He and other party officials say their differences don't run nearly as deep as those within the Republican Party. "They cannot agree on the principles," Mercado said.

Political strategists from both parties say divisions can be explained in part by the issue being more prominent in some states than in others.

Democrats are seeking to lay out differences between them and Republicans on immigration in radio commercials running in four states. The party also plans newspaper advertisements in major cities, including Chicago, Boston, New York and Los Angeles.

Copyright 2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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Yes, Mr. Cifeuntes, there IS something more "un-American" than to be anti-immigrant. It is the acceptance and/or support of the illegal foreign invasion of America. Traitors all!

Got that right!

Quote:
In the Senate, Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., intends to seek passage of immigration legislation by Memorial Day, hoping to revive an election-year effort to tighten border security and give some of the millions of illegal immigrants in the United States a chance at citizenship.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
What is the big rush? Why do they have to hurry up this bill like its an emergency, so their vacations dont get messed up?
To 'compromise' is not a choice. The choice is HR4437 - Enforcement only.

Isn't that nice? It will be a Memorial Day to go down in history. One that would disgrace the very people it honors.

Let me cut through reporter poop.

The Democratic Party Leadership wants illegals to be citizens and they want the credit for making it happen -- so the "new citizens" vote for Democrats. (The Republican Party is working the same angle.)

The Democratic Party leadership is also being pressured to support Amnesty/citizenship by the varied special interest groups that form the core activists and party donors. Included in this group are the open border advocates who have alligned themselves with the Dems. Then you've got the far left socialist, anarchists, etc. who are active in the Dem party but really aren't Dems...but they can hijack party policy in some cities (especially urban areas).

Quite a few Unions also think they may be able to unionize the illegals if they become citizens (or legal workers) and shore up their dwindling union membership. Unions play a major role in influencing who become party leaders and candidates. So when you put all the dots together, you can understand why Howard Dean and Dem candidates are overwhelmingly supportive of Amnesty/citizenship.

Grassroots Democrats who don't belong to any of these niche interest groups overwhelmingly oppose Amnesty and citizenship. So I'm fairly confident that at least 80% of registered Democrats are opposed to Amnesty.

So you've got a big disconnect between Dem Leadership at the County, State and Federal Level and the average Democrat.

Also, when you hear the word "comprehensive" immigration reform, replace it with the word: AMNESTY! That is exactly what it means.

Originally Posted by Steve

Also, when you hear the word "comprehensive" immigration reform, replace it with the word: AMNESTY! That is exactly what it means.

I agree. "Comprehensive" and "Reform" both mean AMNESTY. Nothing even needs to be "reformed" because we already have an immigration policy with all the do's and dont's. There isnt anything broken about our borders, other than laws. And this is being done by lawmakers WE HIRED.

Yes, "Reform" in some circles means "OK, we've been successful in stopping ICE from enforcing the law...but now how do we get around Title 8 violations of law and get these 20 million illegals citizenship?"

Reform to them is de facto open borders.

I think memorial weekend would be a great time to have a mass protest in our streets the like of which our legislators have never seen here! What better time then the time we set aside to remember our dead which includes those who died fighting to keep our country free, that means free of foreign invaders also.We have to keep in mind though not everyone can afford to drive to a large city in different states to protest it needs to be done in small towns the same as large cities, we all have local newspapers that would be glad to have some real news to report on other then what locals made the gossip section. If that is to soon to coordinate then how about independence day a perfect day to march for our independence on illegal immigrants day. We could demand our "right" to have a soverign nation that our forefathers faught and died for. Maybe our slogan could be "REMEMBER THE ALAMO".W e don't want to have to fight that war again do we?

How about a slogan ...."Don't change it ... enforce it" ... meaning the immigration laws..