Arizona’s immigration law is settling in for the long haul, and President Obama doesn’t want immigration matters to be given the political cold shoulder by Senate Republicans. The Associated Press reports that President Obama most recently gave immigration reform the spotlight it deserves as he lambasted 11 GOP senators for their lack of will. They had previously expressed the desire for pointed immigration reform, but are now retracting their efforts as election-year politics creep in.
Obama wants immigration to stay a strong issue
Although the president is not the biggest fan of the new Arizona law (he finds it to be “ill-conceived,” as he said recently), it is an effective tool that highlights just how much he wants to get done. The broken system of fences and non-military guard is far from enough. Border security should be front and central in the government’s mind, says the president. Businesses should then pay heavily if they break the law and hire illegal immigrants. For the workers themselves, they should also shoulder the responsibility of making amends by working toward legal citizenship. Achieving these ends will require bipartisan report, which is why the president directed the razor’s edge of his comments at the weak-kneed Republicans in question.
The GOP response fails to impress
Arizona Sen. Jon Kyl, one of those receiving Obama’s immigration ire, claims that border security must be addressed before “comprehensive immigration reform,” if the two can in fact be separated and wiped clean of political doubletalk. The other Republicans Obama was addressing believe in a comparable model. AP polls say that the bulk of people want government action, so possibly the Republicans should get on their horse and join the charge.
Obama’s take on immigration policy
Chuck Schumer and Lindsey Graham penned a bill that would require illegal immigrants to fess up, and Obama endorses the immigration plan. They’d catch up on their back taxes, pay fines and repay society via other community service, all the while working toward becoming citizens. Sen. Graham is not nevertheless on board, sadly, per the AP.
SB 1070 is the first stop on a long journey
Immigration reform and border security can only come from a complete commitment to accountability on all sides. Per Obama’s wishes, SB 1070 will bolster existing border security and make it clear that America will not abide by the status quo. Action must be taken; standing pat will only prove that Obama and the U.S. government actually believes the broken immigration system is good for America.
More info about this topic at these websites:
Newser.com
newser.com/article/d9gmcda00/obama-blames-political-posturing-for-deadlock-on-overhauling-immigration-laws.html
