Clinton: Obama wants immigration reform passed this year

The Hill reports that Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has said that President Obama is courting lawmaker’s support for comprehensive immigration reform this year. ‘He’s working very hard to get that support and I know he wants to do it in the next months.’

When asked if it would be this year, Clinton answered, ‘He wants it to be this year.’ Clinton made the comments while on a diplomatic trip to Ecuador.

http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/102807-clinton-obama-wants-immigration-reform-this-year

* * * * * *

Key Dem: Immigration bill lacks votes

The Hill reports that Representative Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.), a leading advocate for comprehensive immigration reform, believes ‘there are an insufficient number of Democratic votes’ in Congress to pass a bill this year.  Noting that there will likely be fewer Democrats in both chambers after the November elections, Gutierrez believes future prospects for reform remain bleak.

Senate leaders have decided to address energy legislation before immigration and Gutierrez does not see the Senate acting before September.  In addition, Arizona’s controversial border security law has become a serious roadblock for comprehensive immigration reform.

http://thehill.com/homenews/house/105503-key-democrat-immigration-bill-lacks-votes-

******

Obama tries to put Republicans on immigration hot seat

The Washington Times reports that President Obama has urged Republicans to join in the legislative push for an overhaul of the nation’s immigration laws. Obama believes the issue is too dangerous to tackle without a bipartisan effort. 

A major sticking point in the debate is Arizona’s new law, which Obama believes is ‘unenforceable’ for local police.  Key Republicans argue that borders must be secured before the government considers legalizing illegally present immigrants.

Obama contends that our borders are too vast to secure ‘only with fences and border patrols’ and that illegally present immigrants should be given a multi-step path to citizenship if they agree to pay fines, admit the broke the law, and learn English.

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/jul/1/obama-tries-put-gop-immigration-hot-seat/?page=1

******

Obama Administration Sues Arizona Over Immigration Law

The New York Times Reports that the Obama administration has sued Arizona over its new immigration law.  The suit argues that immigration law and regulation is the responsibility of the federal government rather than each state.  They administration claims the law will interfere with foreign policy by straining the United States’ relationship with Mexico and other countries.

The Justice Department filed the lawsuit in federal court in Arizona, asking for a preliminary and permanent injunction against the law that will take effect on July 29^th.  The case is United States of America v. State of Arizona et al; Case No. 10-cv-1413 in U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona.

http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2010/07/06/news/news-us-obama-immigration-lawsuit.html

* * * * * *

Study questions how many would qualify for immigration 'Dream' act

The Hill reports that a recent study released by the Migration Policy Institute (MPI) reveals that less than half of the 2.1 million young illegally present immigrants in the United States would qualify for citizenship under the ‘Dream Act.’  Drafted by Senators Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Richard Luger (R-Ind.), the ‘Dream Act’ would put immigrants between the ages of 12 and 35 on the path to legal permanent residence. 

President Obama has supported the legislation, stating that ‘innocent young people’ should not be punished for their parents’ actions. However, according to the study, the majority of illegally present immigrants would not qualify, lacking enough education or English proficiency.  While 726,000 undocumented adults would meet the criteria for conditional status, many others who meet the age requirement would be unlikely to meet all of the other criteria.

http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/107755-study-questions-how-many-would-qualify-for-immigration-dream-act

* * * * * *