Obama tells lawmakers, advocates his commitment to immigration overhaul is ‘unwavering’
By Darlene Superville, APThursday, March 11, 2010
Obama backing of immigration overhaul ‘unwavering’
WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama on Thursday assured immigration advocates frustrated by the wait for a promised overhaul of U.S. immigration laws that he remains committed to fixing a system he has said is broken.
What remains unclear is whether Congress will send him a bill this year.
Obama also met separately later in the day with Sens. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., who gave the president an outline of a bill they are drafting. Obama said afterward in a statement that he “looked forward to reviewing their promising framework.”
Obama said he told the senators and the advocacy groups that “my commitment to comprehensive immigration reform is unwavering, and that I will continue to be their partner in this important effort.”
The immigration issue is an important one for Obama, who has promised to work to solve the problem. Hispanics voted heavily for Obama in the 2008 presidential election, making the difference in key states like Florida, and their votes will be critical in the November midterm elections when Obama and his fellow Democrats will be fighting to maintain control of the House and Senate.
Latino voters who don’t think progress is being made on the issue may not go to the polls.
After meeting for more than an hour with Obama, immigration advocates told reporters they want Schumer and Graham to at least release their blueprint before a planned March 21 demonstration at the Capitol, with a bill introduced in the Senate soon after.
The relatively short timetable for getting major legislation out of Congress in a midterm election year is one obstacle to getting a bill that combines tougher border enforcement with a pathway to legalization for the estimated 12 million people in the U.S. illegally.
“We had a very good discussion about the difficulties,” said Eliseo Medina, executive vice president of the Service Employees International Union. “I think the president is well aware of it. So are we.”
Medina said the groups also want to discuss the issue with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and House Republican leader John Boehner, R-Ohio.
Clarissa Martinez de Castro, director of immigration and national campaigns for the National Council of La Raza, said Obama told the groups he would make a statement with Schumer and Graham when they release the blueprint.
“It is undeniable that presidential leadership, greater presidential leadership is needed, and the president committed to doing that,” she said.
Angelica Salas, director of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles, said the president agreed to help get a legislative framework out before the rally. She the groups also discussed enforcement.
“We want results,” Salas said. “That’s what we’re going to be expecting in the next couple of weeks.”
Associated Press writer Suzanne Gamboa contributed to this report.
Tags: Barack Obama, Hispanics, John boehner, North America, United States, Washington
|
March 12, 2010: 2:24 pm
1986 IMMIGRATION LAWS ARE NOT BROKEN–JUST NEVER ENFORCED. California–THE SANCTUARY STATE–IS broke because of the invasion. Arizona and border states are teetering on the edge of bankruptcy. Many other states like New York also have massive debt, because they have pandered to impoverished, desperate foreigners. WHY do you think many states other than Sanctuary California is mandating E-Verify? Utah is signing E-Verify into law as it passed the house. Enforce immigration laws, secure the border and resuscitate Proposition 187 (cutting of welfare to illegal alien families in California) that never was allowed to reach the Supreme Court. Station the National Guard along the border. Make illegal entry into the United States a felony. Arizona has very rigid immigration law pending. Georgia too and others have enforcement laws. Here is are some quick fact: JANUARY WELFARE COSTS FOR CHILDREN OF ILLEGAL ALIENS EXCEEDED $50 MILLION DOLLARS March 9th 2009 LOS ANGELES COUNTY – Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich released figures from the Department of Public Social Services showing that illegal aliens’ children born in the United States collected over $50 million in welfare benefits (CALWORKS + Food Stamps) for the month of January. Approximately 23% of all CALWORKS and food stamp issuance in Los Angeles County are made to parents who reside in the United States illegally and collect benefits for their native-born children. “When you add this to $350 million for public safety and nearly $500 million for health-care, the total cost for illegal immigrants to County taxpayers far exceeds $1 billion a year – not including the millions of dollars for education,” said Antonovich. Don’t listen to the rhetoric and propaganda of critics about E-VERIFY. ITS being progressively upgraded, with new innovations to stop illegal workers STEALING YOUR JOBS. Its your right and an obligation of our politicians to enforce this law and to serve Americans and not cater, wealthy lobbyists organizations, foreign governments and 20 to 30 million alien families. Mandate E-Verify for every business throughout America and not just for new hires. Every violation should carry a harsh penalty. Fines, confiscation of business assets and prison. Enforce aiding and abetting law that includes University professors, anybody who assists, transports illegal aliens. No AMNESTY or any other law favoring the illegal immigration occupation of our country. Join Pro-sovereignty, anti-illegal immigration organizations. Make available special visas for the highest technical skills including scientists, engineers, etc. Stop importing foreign national who will end up in the welfare rolls and become a liability for taxpayers. Most important of all immediately terminate the instant citizen-birthright (Anchor baby) law. FIND OUT THE FACTS FOR YOURSELF? DON’T LISTEN TO HEAVILY BIASED REPORTS, BLOGS OF NEGATIVE PRESS. |
Brittanicus