White House rejects claims that immigration reform is dead
The White House rejected claims that immigration reform was dead this year. White House officials said President Barack Obama would continue working hard to advance an immigration reform bill this year. Obama is likely to have conversation with Republicans and gauge whether or not it’s possible to move forward, White House officials said.
White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs disputed a top Republican senator’s suggestion that immigration reform was dead in the Senate this year. “I would likely disagree with that characterization,” Gibbs said during his daily press briefing in response to Senator Lindsey Graham’s (R-SC) claim that a bruising healthcare battle made immigration reform all but impossible in the Senate this year. Graham said last week that immigration reform is “dead”.
Gibbs said that President Obama and other administration officials would continue reaching out to lawmakers in both parties to gauge the extent to which immigration reform legislation is attainable this year. “The president is likely to have conversations with Republican members in the near future,” the press secretary added. “And we will gauge whether or not it’s possible to move forward this year.”
Republican Senator Graham has been partnering with Democratic Senator Charles Schumer of New York on potential comprehensive immigration reform legislation. Graham and Schumer announced an immigration blueprint after a White House meeting with Obama. But Graham has challenged the president to write an immigration bill, get another Republican and convince 16 Democratic Senators who voted no last time.
Despite Obama’s vow, Immigration reform Unlikely this year
With the health care reform off his to-do list, President Barack Obama has renewed his promise to overhaul immigration laws this year. However chances are slim to none that President Obama will fulfill that pledge as the White House and Democratic leaders in Congress have put other priorities ahead of immigration reform.
In a joint appearance on NBC’s Meet The Press, Sens. Charles Schumer (D-NY) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) said that they will continue to work together to achieve comprehensive immigration reform this year. But Sen. Graham is more pessimistic than Sen. Schumer.
Graham accused of President Obama as “doing nothing” on immigration reform this year. “I urge the president to write a bill and see if he can get another Republican, see if he can convince the 16 Democrats who voted no last time,” Graham warned. So far Sen. Graham is the only Republican senator who works with Democratic Senator Schumer and the White House.
Graham has expressed his pessimism about immigration reform this year. He said last week that immigration reform “is dead”. The Republican senator has argued that it is just not Republican who are reluctant to work on immigration overhaul. “If a moderate Democrat got a phone call from the president who ask to help him to work on immigration now, most of them would jump out the window,” Graham said.
In fact, White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel did not mention immigration reform as an Obama’s post-health care reform agenda. When listing Obama’s next priorities in interviews on the Wall Street Journal and PBS News hour, Emanuel said that financial reform, an energy bill and amending campaign finance law would be next priorities.
Obama pledged to advance immigration reform this year
President Barack Obama pledged again to advance an immigration reform bill this year. Obama sent a message to huge immigration marchers. Obama promised to keep working on the issue but avoiding a specific time frame.
An estimated 200,000 from at least 35 states gathered in Washington D.C. on Sunday to raise their voices for comprehensive immigration reform this year. At rally immigrants and advocates
called for legislation as soon as possible to give legal status to millions of illegal immigrants.
President Obama addressed the crowd via a videotaped message displayed on huge screens, promising to keep working hard on this issue this year. “I pledge to do everything in my power to forge a bipartisan consensus this year on this important issue,” the president said.
Mr. Obama expressed his support for the outline of an immigration reform bill presented by Sens. Charles Schumer (D-NY) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC). But he warned, “You know as well as I do that this won’t be easy, and it won’t happen overnight.”
Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-IL), who has been a leader of immigrants’ movement, said he was optimistic that Obama would try to get an immigration bill this year. But Senator Robert Menendez, Democrat of New Jersey, said he thought an immigration reform bill could pass at the end of the year, after the storm of the November elections had passed.
Immigration Reform Blueprint Unveiled
U.S. Sens. Charles Schumer (D-NY) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) unveiled a bipartisan blueprint for immigration reform. The immigration blueprint has “four pillars”: A biometric ID, a path to legal status for illegal immigrants, award green cards to advanced degree immigrants and a guest worker program.
Schumer and Graham, who met with President Barack Obama last week, outlined their immigration reform proposal in an op-ed on the Washington Post. President Obama, who asked them to produce a blueprint, congratulated Schumer and Graham on what he called “a promising, bipartisan framework which can and should be the basis for moving forward.” Obama pledged to do everything in his power to forge a bipartisan consensus on immigration reform.
The immigration blueprint included the “four pillars” of comprehensive immigration reform as follows.
First, the plan would issue a biometric social security card to all workers in the United States in order to prevent employers from hiring illegal immigrants in the future. An improved tamper-proof social security card would let employers verify that holders are authorized to work in the United States, based on a machine reader that would confirm an individual’s fingerprints or eye scan, the senators said.
Second, the senators’ plan would grant legal status to illegal immigrants who have not committed felonies, and who admit and agree to pay fines and back taxes, perform community service, pass background checks and learn English.
Third, the proposal would award permanent residency to immigrants who receive advanced degree (master or PhD) from a U.S. university in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math)
Fourth, the blueprint would create a temporary worker program for low-skilled foreign workers. However Schumer and Graham said they would determine a system to regulate the future flow of temporary workers in consultation with labor unions and business groups. While business groups argue that temporary worker program must be included in a reform bill, labor unions strongly oppose it.
Obama revives Immigration Reform in 2010
In a bid to revive U.S. immigration reform, President Barack Obama took up the issue once again this week, the Los Angeles Times reported. President Obama has asked two U.S senators to produce a blueprint for an overhaul of immigration laws. Obama eyes new push to advance immigration legislation through Congress before mid-term elections.
President Obama renewed immigration reform debate in a session with members of his Domestic Policy Council. Obama will meet with two senators, Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), who have worked for months to craft a bipartisan immigration reform bill.
During the meeting, the White House outlined ways to advance the effort with Schumer and Graham. Obama may ask two senators to produce a blueprint of the bill that can be turned into legislation.
The White House maintained that the path to U.S. citizenship would not come easy for illegal immigrants living in U.S. They would need to register with U.S. government, pay taxes and pay penalties for law violations. They can also be sent home if they don’t comply with the requirements.
On Thursday Sen. Schumer met with Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano to strategize over potential Republican co-sponsors. Schumer said he was having trouble rounding up other Republican supporters but he was trying hard. Schumer plans to introduce a bipartisan immigration reform bill with at least two Republican co-sponsors by the end of March.
The White House officials also pointed to an immigration rally set for March 21 in Washington as a way to spotlight the issue and build needed momentum. Obama and Democratic leaders were accused of “empty words” on immigration by immigration communities and advocates.
GOP Wooing Latino Voters
Republicans are courting Latino voters and are changing tactics on immigration. Some profile Republicans are adopting a softer vocabulary on immigration and trying to recruit more Hispanic candidates, The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal reported.
Former Republican National Committee Chairman Ed Gillespie, who is now coordinating some of party’s internal discussions, said the GOP needed to think about “tone and body language” in discussing immigration reform. “We have to make clear to Latino voters that we care as much about welcoming legal immigrants as we do about keeping illegal ones out,” he said.
Rep. Tom Price(R-GA), Chairman of the Conservative Republican Study Committee and a strong opponent to create a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants, has been meeting with Hispanic leaders to find a new tone on immigration reform.
Sarah Palin, former Republican vice presidential candidate and a 2012 presidential hopeful, said on Fox News that conservatives needed to be “welcoming and inviting to immigrants” and recognizing that “immigrants built this great society.”
Congressman Price says he isn’t ready to talk about a path to legalization until he is convinced the U.S.-Mexico border is secured. Some high profile Republicans have indicated that the GOP may adopt a trigger approach, which means border security first. That Republicans including Senator John McCain have argued ‘border security first’-secure border first, deal with other aspects of illegal immigration once the border is secured.
To Democrats: “No More Empty Words”
Democrats are accused of “empty words” on immigration by immigrant communities including Latino. Latinos sent a strong message to Democrats: “No more empty words.”
La Opinion, the nation’s largest Spanish-language newspaper, criticized Democratic leaders in an editorial by saying “No more empty words on immigration.” Most advocates for immigration reform are similarly frustrated with President Barack Obama and Congressional Democratic leaders.
La Opinion noted that in the past Democrats were able to blame Republicans for blocking comprehensive immigration reform, but not now. “Now the White House and Congress are in hands of Democrats. Democratic leaders are responsible for failing to place immigration reform on the agenda and for failing to influence their ranks so that legislation is brought forward for consideration,” La Opinion said.
The editorial pointed out that in its interview House Speaker Nancy Pelosi hoped immigration reform would happen this year, without offering any more details. Pelosi’s promise on immigration reform is now considered as “an empty word” by La Opinion and other advocates.
America’s Voice, a proponent group, agreed with La Opinion.
In the interview with La Opinion, Pelosi said “We will have the votes to pass immigration legislation.” But she offered no details or no timetable. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid briefly touched the issue in his Latino Summit. President Obama mentioned immigration reform only in one sentence at the very end of his first State of the Union address.
Schumer’s Bill to be delayed until March
A long-promised, bipartisan U.S. Senate immigration reform bill will be delayed until at least March. Senator Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), chairman of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on immigration, decided to put off to introduce a bipartisan comprehensive immigration reform bill until March, a representative for labor unions said.
“The timeline originally was to have a bill by February,” said Sonia Ramirez, legislative representative for AFL-CIO who involved in negotiations over the content of the legislation. “Now, they’re shooting at having a detailed outline of the direction by the end of February. Once the outline is agreed on, lawyers will draft the text,” she explained. That means Sen. Schumer cannot introduce his legislation until March.
Schumer has been working with Republican Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) to craft a bipartisan immigration bill for several months.
Republican Scott Brown’s victory in a Massachusetts Senate race changed Washington political climate and imperiled not only health care reform but also comprehensive immigration reform this year.
U.S. illegal immigrants declined for second year
The number of illegal immigrants living in the United States fell by 1 million, or 8 percent,
between 2007 and 2009, the U.S. government reported Tuesday.
The decline, to 10.8 million people in January 2009 from 11.8 million in 2007 and 11.6 million in 2008,
coincides with the national economic downturn.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Immigration Statistics released a report on
Estimates of the Unauthorized Immigrant Population Residing in the United States: January 2009
| Country of Birth of the Unauthorized Immigrant Population: January 2009 and 2000 | |||||||||
| Estimated population in January | Percent of total | Percent change | Average annual change | ||||||
| Country of birth | 2009 | 2000 | 2009 | 2000 | 2000 to 2009 | 2000 to 2009 | |||
| All countries . . . . . . . | 10,750,000 | 8,460,000 | 100 | 100 | 27 | 250,000 | |||
| Mexico . . . . . . . . . . . . | 6,650,000 | 4,680,000 | 62 | 55 | 42 | 220,000 | |||
| El Salvador . . . . . . . . . | 530,000 | 430,000 | 5 | 5 | 25 | 10,000 | |||
| Guatemala . . . . . . . . . . | 480,000 | 290,000 | 4 | 3 | 65 | 20,000 | |||
| Honduras. . . . . . . . . . . | 320,000 | 160,000 | 3 | 2 | 95 | 20,000 | |||
| Philippines . . . . . . . . . . | 270,000 | 200,000 | 2 | 2 | 33 | 10,000 | |||
| India . . . . . . . . . . . . . . | 200,000 | 120,000 | 2 | 1 | 64 | 10,000 | |||
| Korea . . . . . . . . . . . . . | 200,000 | 180,000 | 2 | 2 | 14 | —- | |||
| Ecuador . . . . . . . . . . . . | 170,000 | 110,000 | 2 | 1 | 55 | 10,000 | |||
| Brazil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . | 150,000 | 100,000 | 1 | 1 | 49 | 10,000 | |||
| China . . . . . . . . . . . . . | 120,000 | 190,000 | 1 | 2 | -37 | (10,000) | |||
| Other countries . . . . . . | 1,650,000 | 2,000,000 | 15 | 24 | -17 | (40,000) | |||
| — Represents less than 5,000. Detail may not sum to totals because of rounding.
Source: U.S. Department of Homeland Security. |
|||||||||
U.S. to raise immigrant visa and passport fees
The State Department published this proposed rule on Feb. 9 in the federal register with 30-day comment period.
According to the proposed rule, U.S. will raise Employment-Based Immigrant visa Application fee from current $355 to $720, almost double, while Family-based immigrant visa applications will go down slightly.
The State Department will also raise U.S. passport application fees.
They will charge $450 for renunciation of a U.S. citizenship.
Federal Register: February 9, 2010
Written comments must be received on or before 30 days from February 9, 2010.
| Visa, passport | Current fees | Proposed fees |
| Immigrant Visa
(employment-based) |
$355 | $720 |
| Immigrant Visa
(family-based) |
$355 | $330 |
| Immigrant Visa (Security Surcharge) | $45 | $74 |
| winners of the Diversity Visa lottery | $375 | $440 |
| Passport Book
(age 17 and older) |
$55 | $70 |
| Passport Book
(age 16 and younger) |
$40 | $40 |
| Passport Card
(age 17 and older) |
$20 | $30 |
| Passport Card
(age 16 and younger) |
$10 | $15 |
Passport Book Security Surcharge |
$20 | $40 |
Renunciation of Citizenship |
$0 | $450 |
Immigration Report 