Discussion On The Politics of Immigration Reform (Comprehensive Or Otherwise)

Right bipartisan moment is finally here for Gang of 7 .. plan is to club appropraitions and immigration.. Republicans already linked appropriations and Obamacare.. Its going to be fun this fall once syria issue is done with :)

Becerra is a member of the House’s “Gang of Seven,” which is working on a comprehensive immigration overhaul bill it hopes to introduce in October. Becerra believes his party's immigration reform plan tackles two big issues that will be before Congress this fall with a single strike.

http://www.ibtimes.com/2013-immigrat...uction-1403139

Cantor's official memo to GOP lawmakers of agenda this september and october...

Good news for immigration.. It's not dead yet.. Things will be clear by October 31.. World needs a time machine..

http://blogs.rollcall.com/goppers/ca...hin-two-weeks/

Immigration
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We know that the current legal immigration system is broken and should be fixed in a deliberate and responsible manner. That is why the Judiciary and Homeland Security committees have produced a number of specific bills which the House may begin considering this fall. Before we consider any other reforms, it is important that we pass legislation securing our borders and providing enforcement mechanisms to our law enforcement officials.

Now that members of Congress are returning to Washington, D.C., immigration reform advocates have bigger plans.
They are gearing up for major mobilization efforts in October.

http://octoberimmigration.org/

Read more: http://www.voxxi.com/return-congress...#ixzz2eQkSHwCc

Some practical issues

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-0...out-bills.html

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Originally Posted by idiotic

Now that members of Congress are returning to Washington, D.C., immigration reform advocates have bigger plans.
They are gearing up for major mobilization efforts in October.

http://octoberimmigration.org/

Read more: http://www.voxxi.com/return-congress...#ixzz2eQkSHwCc

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http://homeland.house.gov/hearing/su...ting-biometric

Biometric exit hearing postponed due to syria

As always immigration is top most priority issue for immigrants but for country and congress it least priority whether you accept or not.

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Originally Posted by GhostWriter

Some practical issues

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-0...out-bills.html

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Originally Posted by GhostWriter

Some practical issues

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-0...out-bills.html

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Yup I agree there are multiple articles on this....Unless the situation in Syria resolves with Usa accepting a transfer of chemical weapons, the timeline leaves very little scope for taking up any other bills. Also next year the President has to deal with multiple issues and upcoming elections.

Nytimes

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/09/us...anted=all&_r=0

PBS

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/polit...oni_09-08.html

CNN

http://www.cnn.com/2013/09/09/politi...nda/?hpt=po_c2

Policymic

http://www.policymic.com/articles/62...the-wrong-time


All the above articles highlight this

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Put simply, immigration reform is hanging on by a very fine and easily broken thread. While Senate Gang of Eight members like John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) have been outwardly optimistic in their assessment of immigration reform's chances in the House, the fact is that with the addition of military intervention in Syria, it may be too much to overcome.

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There have been strong indications that House will cancel the September recess to work on the lengthy agendas for September and October as laid out by Eric Cantor officially..

Immigration fireworks will be in early October with piecemeal bills being taken up in the floor..

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Originally Posted by idiotic

There have been strong indications that House will cancel the September recess to work on the lengthy agendas for September and October as laid out by Eric Cantor officially..

Immigration fireworks will be in early October with piecemeal bills being taken up in the floor..

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From Goodlatte himself in the last hour on a radio show..
http://tv.msnbc.com/2013/09/10/hope-...october-votes/

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Originally Posted by idiotic

There have been strong indications that House will cancel the September recess to work on the lengthy agendas for September and October as laid out by Eric Cantor officially..

Immigration fireworks will be in early October with piecemeal bills being taken up in the floor..

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Its naive to believe everything everyone says about immigration...

I can see this movement fading as we speak... Haven't seen any progress since the passage of Senate bill... I am not expecting anything from Republicans...
I think it is time we realize that it is more to do with politics than commonsense... We can hope that Democrats get back the house in 2014 and then we can see the senate bill pass in 2015...

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Originally Posted by Jagan01

Its naive to believe everything everyone says about immigration...

I can see this movement fading as we speak... Haven't seen any progress since the passage of Senate bill... I am not expecting anything from Republicans...
I think it is time we realize that it is more to do with politics than commonsense... We can hope that Democrats get back the house in 2014 and then we can see the senate bill pass in 2015...

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I would agree with this. Purely poltically speaking Obama is expending a lot of political capital on the Syria issue and then there is the impending debt ceiling discussion and if nothing is done the usa govt will not have money to meet its financial obligations by Oct 18th.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/...-happens-next/


I cannot imagine Immigration reform will be taken up in early October with that looming on the horizon.

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Originally Posted by gcseeker

I cannot imagine Immigration reform will be taken up in early October with that looming on the horizon.

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Piecemeal bills will brought to the house floor as next step in October to move the process forward. We are just weeks away and let us wait and watch.

http://allthingsd.com/20130911/zucke...ration-reform/

“Mark is coming to Washington to discuss issues important to the knowledge economy, including immigration reform,” a Facebook spokesperson told AllThingsD.

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Originally Posted by idiotic

There have been strong indications that House will cancel the September recess to work on the lengthy agendas for September and October as laid out by Eric Cantor officially..

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It's almost confirmed that House will be working overtime to finish appropriations bill.. Syria is also over "for now" already officially announced by Obama.. This will implicitly mean Immigration vote on piecemeal will be on track for early October..

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/...tember-recess/

Ros-Lehtinen told MSNBC that the “Gang of 7″ bill could serve as an eventual compromise with the Senate down the road, but that it may have to wait until the House passes a series of more modest individual bills first.

http://tv.msnbc.com/2013/09/12/dont-...sail-congress/

http://www.ibtimes.com/immigration-r...pelosi-1405522

Nancy Pelosi -- (minorty leader and architect behind getting ObamaCare passed) starts gets involved..

Congress has a couple of weeks to get this done. If they’re focused on what the American people care about — faster growth, more jobs, better future for our kids — then I’m confident it will happen. And once we’re done with the budget, let’s focus on the other things that we know can make a difference for middle-class families — lowering the cost of college; finishing the job of immigration reform; taking up the work of tax reform to make the system fairer and promoting more investment in the United States.

Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2013/0...#ixzz2f5PhOGTg

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Originally Posted by idiotic

Congress has a couple of weeks to get this done. If they’re focused on what the American people care about — faster growth, more jobs, better future for our kids — then I’m confident it will happen. And once we’re done with the budget, let’s focus on the other things that we know can make a difference for middle-class families — lowering the cost of college; finishing the job of immigration reform; taking up the work of tax reform to make the system fairer and promoting more investment in the United States.

Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2013/0...#ixzz2f5PhOGTg

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I am getting a feeling that no one cares about the immigration reform anymore. Even within the immigrant community it is taking the backseat. I do not think the american citizens care about it anymore.

Delays are not good. Once we hit 2014, there would not be a compromise. Republicans will try and get back the Senate and Democrats will try and get back the House. I seriously hope either it ends up being Democrats in both chambers or Republicans in both chambers. If democrats in both chambers then the Senate bill passes and if Republicans in both chambers then something like HR2131 can pass

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Originally Posted by Jagan01

I am getting a feeling that no one cares about the immigration reform anymore. Even within the immigrant community it is taking the backseat. I do not think the american citizens care about it anymore.

Delays are not good. Once we hit 2014, there would not be a compromise. Republicans will try and get back the Senate and Democrats will try and get back the House. I seriously hope either it ends up being Democrats in both chambers or Republicans in both chambers. If democrats in both chambers then the Senate bill passes and if Republicans in both chambers then something like HR2131 can pass

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Wait till end of October and we will have clear picture.. For now, look up Eric Cantor's majority leader website for next week's legislative agenda and stay tuned.. Already farm bill is back along with budget fight :) Next will be immigration

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Originally Posted by idiotic

Wait till end of October and we will have clear picture.. For now, look up Eric Cantor's majority leader website for next week's legislative agenda and stay tuned.. Already farm bill is back along with budget fight :) Next will be immigration

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If law do not pass before this year end, administration will do something like below (USCIS memo on alternatives to CIR)..

http://abcnews.go.com/images/Politic...ion-reform.pdf

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Originally Posted by idiotic

If law do not pass before this year end, administration will do something like below (USCIS memo on alternatives to CIR)..

http://abcnews.go.com/images/Politic...ion-reform.pdf

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USCIS goes out of way to make legal non-immigrant's life miserable. Se how creative they become to make life easier for CIR aspirants !

Also don't understand how granting EAD to H4 dependents to only those H1 applicants who has also filed for AOS helps them. If H1 applicant has filed AOS, isn't spouse able to apply for EAD automatically ? Don't see how USCIS is doing them a favor !

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Originally Posted by gcq

USCIS goes out of way to make legal non-immigrant's life miserable. Se how creative they become to make life easier for CIR aspirants !

Also don't understand how granting EAD to H4 dependents to only those H1 applicants has also filed for AOS helps them. If H1 applicant has filed AOS, isn't spouse able to apply for EAD automatically ? Don't see how USCIS is doing them a favor !

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These are set of things which they could make without breaking the immigration law as written in books to bring some relief to certain categories of immigrants... Administration should be praised for this .. This is an old memo and new one will be different if law does not pass in 2013.. Let's worry about the specifics then.. this is just FYI to learn some history..

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Originally Posted by gcq

Also don't understand how granting EAD to H4 dependents to only those H1 applicants who has also filed for AOS helps them. If H1 applicant has filed AOS, isn't spouse able to apply for EAD automatically ? Don't see how USCIS is doing them a favor !

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gcq,

Under second and less discussed provision of AC-21, someone on H1B beyond 6 years, can extend it on a year to year basis. I think that is the AC 21 H1B type mentioned here.

I would love to see this extended to dependents of H1B tied to approved 140 but I suspect they are trying to interpret current definition of AC-21 in the most helpful manner - which will still help some people.

U.S. President Barack Obama said on Tuesday he could support the House of Representatives taking a piece-by-piece approach to changing immigration policy as long as key elements such as a "pathway to citizenship" for undocumented immigrants were included.

"If those elements are contained in a bill, whether they come through the House a little bit at a time or they come in one fell swoop ... I'm less concerned about process, I'm more interested in making sure it gets done," he said.

http://in.reuters.com/article/2013/0...0HD28420130917

I think Obama will also eventually drop the path to citizenship as long as the reform is comprehensive - meaning - bringing those people out of the shadows and making them legal.

Oct is going to be an interesting month.

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Originally Posted by idiotic

U.S. President Barack Obama said on Tuesday he could support the House of Representatives taking a piece-by-piece approach to changing immigration policy as long as key elements such as a "pathway to citizenship" for undocumented immigrants were included.

"If those elements are contained in a bill, whether they come through the House a little bit at a time or they come in one fell swoop ... I'm less concerned about process, I'm more interested in making sure it gets done," he said.

http://in.reuters.com/article/2013/0...0HD28420130917

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Originally Posted by qesehmk

I think Obama will also eventually drop the path to citizenship as long as the reform is comprehensive - meaning - bringing those people out of the shadows and making them legal.

Oct is going to be an interesting month.

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http://swampland.time.com/2013/09/18...-be-the-worst/

http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/3...ting-on-reform

Unfortunately it is increasingly looking like the president might not have the time to deal with this. The budget crisis is increasingly looking to be a major fight for both parties this time which might occupy all of october and the repubs are doing their best to defund obama care .Syria is on the backburner for now .

I just do not beleive congress has the will/time to get it passed in october...

That is true. That's why I said that Obama and Dems are looking for any victory on this topic and so as long as GOP can offer them a a deal that addresses 11m illegals - they will take it.

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Originally Posted by gcseeker

http://swampland.time.com/2013/09/18...-be-the-worst/

http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/3...ting-on-reform

Unfortunately it is increasingly looking like the president might not have the time to deal with this. The budget crisis is increasingly looking to be a major fight for both parties this time which might occupy all of october and the repubs are doing their best to defund obama care .Syria is on the backburner for now .

I just do not beleive congress has the will/time to get it passed in october...

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Originally Posted by qesehmk

That is true. That's why I said that Obama and Dems are looking for any victory on this topic and so as long as GOP can offer them a a deal that addresses 11m illegals - they will take it.

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I have a different take on it. If the Dems compromise with Repubs on the immigration stuff they agree then not only can they claim victory on the immigration front but will have a better barganing chip with the budget thing. If they can compromise on the immigration issue(Which is good for the economy by quickly clearing all high skilled workers) Dems can get obamacare, debt ceiling increase and a compromise on tax reform. Only if they can not care so much for the 11M illegals gaining citizenship. I am all for 11M people can get LPRs don't get me wrong but the bigger picture is what I am looking at. After 2014 they can always revisit the citizenship clause but for now just look at the bigger picture.

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Originally Posted by druvraj

I have a different take on it. If the Dems compromise with Repubs on the immigration stuff they agree then not only can they claim victory on the immigration front but will have a better barganing chip with the budget thing. If they can compromise on the immigration issue(Which is good for the economy by quickly clearing all high skilled workers) Dems can get obamacare, debt ceiling increase and a compromise on tax reform. Only if they can not care so much for the 11M illegals gaining citizenship. I am all for 11M people can get LPRs don't get me wrong but the bigger picture is what I am looking at. After 2014 they can always revisit the citizenship clause but for now just look at the bigger picture.

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Immigration is considered as a major legislative priority in second term just like ObamaCare in first term.
Debt Ceiling and budget issues are always there year after year..
Please view it from that prism..

True. I think dems will take any deal that makes 11m legals. I don't think they will get hung up on citizenship. But at the end of the day - GOP wants to deny dems any victory on this. Their position seems to be -this is a lose-lose topic for us to address. So we would rather lose by denying victory to dems. Politically speaking - it makes sense from their perspective. But that is hurting all the effort made so far. Which is why I have been "FOR" for any house legislation immigration because that creates some opening for negotiations. Otherwise this topic may die within next 9 months. After that next election cycle begins and no republican will touch this with a 10 foot pole.

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Originally Posted by druvraj

I have a different take on it. If the Dems compromise with Repubs on the immigration stuff they agree then not only can they claim victory on the immigration front but will have a better barganing chip with the budget thing. If they can compromise on the immigration issue(Which is good for the economy by quickly clearing all high skilled workers) Dems can get obamacare, debt ceiling increase and a compromise on tax reform. Only if they can not care so much for the 11M illegals gaining citizenship. I am all for 11M people can get LPRs don't get me wrong but the bigger picture is what I am looking at. After 2014 they can always revisit the citizenship clause but for now just look at the bigger picture.

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Originally Posted by qesehmk

True. I think dems will take any deal that makes 11m legals. I don't think they will get hung up on citizenship. But at the end of the day - GOP wants to deny dems any victory on this. Their position seems to be -this is a lose-lose topic for us to address. So we would rather lose by denying victory to dems. Politically speaking - it makes sense from their perspective. But that is hurting all the effort made so far. Which is why I have been "FOR" for any house legislation immigration because that creates some opening for negotiations. Otherwise this topic may die within next 9 months. After that next election cycle begins and no republican will touch this with a 10 foot pole.

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Both can claim victory if they pass legal immigration reform which by the way no one object to. On the other hand there is no objection to legalizing 11M illegals. Dems are looking at vote bank politics as are repubs hence Dems have no interest in passing anything ,just making sure Repubs are branded as anti Hispanics. See if immi bill passes without pathway to citizenship then ground reality does not change and with current redistricting Repubs will win house easily. Only if the Dems keep the immi bill alive will they get lion share of Hispanic vote. On the other hand if Repubs agree to pathway to citizenship then senate in my opinion is not theirs for a long time.

Keeping politics aside I always feel like illegals should pay a bigger price as they were illegals. So this 10 years in nonsense. I waited for 10 years for my GC and if I am branded in the same league where is the incentive to follow the law. I feel like it should be 25 years and then 5 more for citizenship. Agree that most will not be alive but hey you pay a price for coming here illegally. If I am an administrator I would want most to follow the law otherwise my job becomes that much more difficult.

Sure.. different constituents have different perspective and accordingly politicians work for their constituents. As per immigrants - for them it doesn't matter if the cat is black or white as long as it kills the mouse. In this case the mouse being - immigration reform :)

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Originally Posted by druvraj

Both can claim victory if they pass legal immigration reform which by the way no one object to. On the other hand there is no objection to legalizing 11M illegals. Dems are looking at vote bank politics as are repubs hence Dems have no interest in passing anything ,just making sure Repubs are branded as anti Hispanics. See if immi bill passes without pathway to citizenship then ground reality does not change and with current redistricting Repubs will win house easily. Only if the Dems keep the immi bill alive will they get lion share of Hispanic vote. On the other hand if Repubs agree to pathway to citizenship then senate in my opinion is not theirs for a long time.

Keeping politics aside I always feel like illegals should pay a bigger price as they were illegals. So this 10 years in nonsense. I waited for 10 years for my GC and if I am branded in the same league where is the incentive to follow the law. I feel like it should be 25 years and then 5 more for citizenship. Agree that most will not be alive but hey you pay a price for coming here illegally. If I am an administrator I would want most to follow the law otherwise my job becomes that much more difficult.

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Originally Posted by idiotic

There have been strong indications that House will cancel the September recess to work on the lengthy agendas for September and October as laid out by Eric Cantor officially..

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House cancels the reccess
http://thehill.com/blogs/floor-actio...eturns-sept-25

“The purpose of this trip is largely about immigration rather than Facebook,” said the 29-year-old billionaire, who replaced the suit he wore to the Capitol for his characteristic black hoodie.

Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2013/0...#ixzz2fHM0DaGq

http://www.theatlantic.com/events/ar...bennet/279787/

Interesting interview especially where he explained how CIR is important than high skilled immigration alone and how they are not very different..

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politi...890_story.html

Goodlatte, R-Va., said members of his committee are working on four bills to address various aspects of the immigration system, in addition to four that the committee already has approved.
Goodlatte said he’d like to see the full House begin voting on the committee-passed bills next month.

https://www.numbersusa.com/content/f...sty-Letter.pdf

Here is numbersusa attempt to block the conference from happening. They just want house to pass series of bills and no conference to happen and just let the bill die..

so the house has voted and passed to defund obamacare with the budget:
what if the senate attached CIR to the budget and passed it.,(wild thought)
it is definitely heading to conference and will most probably be voted out,, but it can become interesting

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/w...group/2843175/

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Originally Posted by jackbrown_890

so the house has voted and passed to defund obamacare with the budget:
what if the senate attached CIR to the budget and passed it.,(wild thought)
it is definitely heading to conference and will most probably be voted out,, but it can become interesting

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