The “Moderate” and “Progressive” Buzz on Immigration Reform

There sure has been an awful lot of chatter on immigration reform over the last few weeks! Moderates and progressives on the issue of immigration, such as NDN, a progressive think tank and advocacy organization, and the Coalition for Comprehensive Immigration Reform, in D.C. are hoping for improvements in many areas of the Senate immigration proposal on the table.  The most pressing issues in which change is needed is (1) LEGALIZATION — creating a workable legalization program; (2) ensuring that FAMILY REUNIFICATION remains a cornerstone of U.S. immigration laws; and (3) improving the TEMPORARY WORKER PROGRAM to ensure, among other things, there is a path to citizenship for some guest workers.

As mentioned in a post earlier today, we can expect many amendments to the current bill.  The hope is to get a bill out of the Senate and for debate in the House of Representatives to begin in July.  We know from Bill Hing’s post earlier today that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi remain  committed to immigration reform and is sympathetic to favorable amendments in the three areas listed above.  And, unlike the days of teh Sensenbrenner bill, the Democrats now control the House.

So we will have to wait and see what the final bill looks like.  Many advocacy groups are reserving judgment on whether to support the bill until the final version is on the table.  As Congressman Xavier Becerra has said, its a 12 round fight and it will be a tough one.  Stay tuned!

KJ