President Obama plans to start addressing the sticky issue of immigration reform this year, including the search for a path to legalize the status of millions of illegal immigrants. That's according to a New York Times report. The story quotes a presidential aide.
Administration officials told the Times that Obama will speak publicly about the matter in May and bring together working groups including Democratic and Republican lawmakers over the summer. Discussions on possible legislation could begin as early as the fall.
Obama will present his drive as "policy reform that controls immigration and makes it an orderly system," according to a quote attributed to Cecilia Munoz, deputy assistant to the president and director of intergovernmental affairs in the White House.
While the U.S. continues to deal with economic issues, advocates on different sides of the debate said that immigration could become a polarizing issue for Obama. Americans are sharply divided over how to deal with 12 million illegal immigrants living in the United States. Hardliners say illegal immigrants are a drain on the country's resources and want them deported.
Two years ago, Obama, then a Democratic senator, backed immigration reform proposed by former President George W. Bush that sought tougher border controls and a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants. Bush's fellow Republicans in the U.S. Congress killed the proposal.
During his campaign for the White House, Obama pledged to support immigration reform. He received strong backing from Hispanics in the November election.
Related: White House Agenda - Immigration
Tags: Obama, Politics, Immigration, Immigration Reform, Media by Sistrunk
4 comments:
The problem faced by the US in this regard is, as somebody once stated, a matter of geography in which a 1st world nation is butted up against a 3rd world one. There is no excuse for Mexico to be 3rd world, of course, considering its resource riches. But the poor there, especially at the southern end of the country, are staggeringly impoverished, and the majority of the 'illegals' come from that part of the country.
It's a problem with no simple solutions.
Thoughtful post, Deb. But,hey, all of yours are. That's why I am such a fan of you.
Ian: You are right. It's a problem with no simple solutions. It should get very interesting when both sides begin discussions on possible legislation. Thank you for your kind words.
President obama is currently visiting Turkey to out-source any cost effective and cheap army to kill more afghans. he should also reduce the size of US Troops in Afghanistan to rather sending more and more troops.
Muhammad: Thank you for your comment. I respect your opinion. I must request, however, that you stay on topic. This post is not about Mr. Obama's recent visit to Turkey or the war in Afghanistan.
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