Amnesty Is Still on This Year’s Agenda

 
            AIC’s contacts in Washington recently have informed us that the Obama Administration has not given up on trying to pass a major amnesty for illegal aliens this year. Confirming our sources is an article in the Los Angeles Times 3/4/10. “Despite steep odds,” it states, “the White House has discussed a major overhaul of the nation’s immigration laws. . . . [to include] a path toward citizenship for the 10.8 million people illegally.”

            The article quotes White House spokesman Nick Shapiro who stated that President Obama’s support for amnesty is “unwavering.” To advance his agenda, Obama scheduled a meeting with the Senate’s leading proponents of amnesty, Democrat Charles Schumer and Republican Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, to formulate a bipartisan strategy.

            The Times article also notes that “Among proponents, there is a consensus that a proposal must move by April or early May to have a realistic chance of passing this year. If that deadline slips, Congress’ focus is likely to shift to the November elections, making it impossible to take up major legislation.”

            And certainly amnesty supporters should have concern about having to face the voters. A recent Rasmussen poll found great public outrage against illegal immigration. Sixty-nine percent believe that illegal aliens should be prosecuted, and 68 percent said that businesses hiring them should be prosecuted. Significantly, a majority, 65 percent, said they preferred an “enforcement-only” approach to illegal immigration rather than amnesty. Apparently the hope of the administration is to pass amnesty, and hope that voters are too dull and apathetic to remember in November.

The rank-and-file amnesty advocates appear confident that they can overcome the odds. Deepak Bhargava of the radical left Center for Community Change laments the failure of amnesty legislation in 2007 which he attributes to “a groundswell of anger and hate” incited by talk radio. As with so many of his persuasion, there can never be any honest disagreement with his position, only “hate.” This time, says Bhargava, “we [will] out-match [the opposition] at every level and in every facet of the game.”

Genuine immigration reformers must rise to this challenge and exceed it. At least through the end of May we must let Congress know that amnesty is unacceptable under any circumstances, but particularly now with so many Americans out of work. The last thing we need to do is reward people with jobs who have taken those jobs illegally.

If we can stop amnesty this spring, we can stop it for the rest of the year. If we can stop amnesty for just a few more years, perhaps we can kill the idea permanently.