In denouncing illegal immigration, Arizona Governor Jan Brewer argued: “We cannot afford all this illegal immigration and everything that comes with it, everything from the crime…to the drugs and the kidnappings and the extortion and the beheadings and the fact that people can’t feel safe in their community. It’s wrong! It’s wrong!” References to kidnappings and beheadings are certain to stir the emotions of Americans. However, the issue is not that simple, nor should it be seen in that light. Indeed, painting undocumented immigrants, a diverse group of hard-working individuals and families, as perpetrators of kidnappings and beheadings is absurd and unjust.
Such inflammatory rhetoric, combined with the dysfunction evident in the 113th Congress, might seem to make the prospects for comprehensive immigration reform exceedingly dim. However, it is important to acknowledge that some success has already been achieved. In a 68-32 vote earlier this year, the Senate passed an immigration reform bill with elements designed to appeal to both political parties. The bill created a path to legal residency and citizenship while increasing enforcement for a more secure border. Unfortunately, the bill hit a roadblock in the Republican-controlled House. Speaker John Boehner has declared that the House will not accept the Senate bill, despite the bipartisan support it received in the upper chamber.
President Obama expressed frustration with Boehner’s refusal to consider the Senate bill for debate. Moreover, with the government shutdown in the rear-view mirror, Obama has renewed his push to enact comprehensive immigration reform. Time is of the essence. With the approach of the 2014 midterms, the prospects for immigration reform will diminish, as members of Congress increasingly shy away from potentially tough votes.
However, in the current political climate, Republicans might find it especially difficult to reject immigration reform altogether. With the American public largely placing the blame for the government shutdown on the GOP, Republicans need to act swiftly to repair their image. By blocking immigration reform, the GOP risks further alienating Hispanic voters, whose strong support of Obama’s reelection campaign reflected a growing impatience with Republican intransigence on the issue.
Ultimately, the House can either embrace the Senate bill with some modifications, or it can draft its own bill and attempt to win Senate support. Boehner has already ruled out the first option. Meanwhile, an immigration reform proposal originating in the Republican-dominated House would undoubtedly prioritize border security and impose greater restrictions on pathways to residency or citizenship. Obama and Senate Democrats would likely find such restrictions unpalatable.
While bridging these disagreements remains difficult, the time is clearly ripe for action. At least 11 million people continue to live in the shadows. Any attempt at mass deportation would be incredibly costly, impractical, and contrary to America’s humanitarian norms. America may be a nation of laws, but it is also one of compassion, immigration, and innovation. The House should acknowledge this and take a serious approach to resolving the immigration issue. Moreover, it should do so immediately if immigration reform is to have any hope of passing. The clock is ticking, and only a small time frame remains before election year pressures consume the impetus for change.
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