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7. Washington Watch:   Senators Look to Put Immigration Back on the Front Burner   Talking Points Memo (DC) reports that despite the bleak chances for comprehensive immigration reform passing, Democrats are doing their best to keep the issue in the national conversation.  Sens. Robert Menedez (D-NJ), Pat Leahy (D-VT), and Dick Durbin (D-IL) held a joint press conference to prod lawmakers into negotiating a bipartisan bill that would increase enforcement measures coupled with a path to citizenship for undocumented workers.   http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/06/senators-look-to-push-immigration-back-to-the-frontburner.php ******   Bill Would Freeze Obama’s Power to Grant Illegally Present Immigrants Amnesty   The Hill (DC) reports that the Republican chairman of the House Judiciary Committee is crafting a bill that would temporarily freeze the Obama administration’s power to grant amnesty to illegally present immigrants.  The measure is a response to a memo issued by the head of ICE last week that approved a broader breadth of discretion for agency officials when considering whether to deport someone through the Secure Communities program.  Realizing the dim prospects to pass the DREAM Act in this Congress, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus asked Obama to delay the deportation of certain illegally present immigrants, such as students who have been in the U.S. for at least five years and do not have criminal histories.   http://thehill.com/homenews/house/168475-smith-bill-would-freeze-obama-administrations-power-to-grant-amnesty-to-illegal-immigrants ****** Sen. Durbin Chairs Hearing on DREAM Act Immigration Measure   The Chicago Sun Times reports that Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois is trying again to get the DREAM Act passed chaired the first-ever Senate hearing Tuesday on the immigration measure.  Durbin re-introduced the measure which fell five votes short in the Senate last December.  Among those who testified were Secretary of Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano and Steven A. Camarota, Director of Research for the Center for Immigration Studies. http://blogs.suntimes.com/sweet/2011/06/sen_durbin_chairs_dream_act_he.html   The Los Angeles Times reports that longtime DREAM Act supporter Sen. Richard Durbin (D-Ill.), who held the first-ever Senate hearing on the bill, acknowledged a “long, long journey” ahead for the legislation.  The hearing featured Obama administration officials who testified that passing the legislation would allow law enforcement to focus on illegally present immigrants convicted of crimes, while infusing the ailing economy with well-educated talent.   Meanwhile, those who oppose the bill claim it fails to address broader immigration reforms that address border security and visa overstays.    http://articles.latimes.com/2011/jun/28/nation/la-na-dream-act-20110629 ******

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