Thursday, November 27, 2008

Good news for undocumented Irish on way in Senate?

There may be some good news coming down the line for undocumented Irish immigrants or "illegal Irish," as some know-nothings say. Take a look at what Frank Sharry has to say this week.

From Frank Sharry's Blog on Huffington Post

In an interview published in Gannet News Service over the weekend, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid spoke candidly of plans to both address and pass immigration reform legislation in the 111th Congress.

Reid told Gannett News,

"On immigration, there's been an agreement between (President-elect Barack) Obama and (Arizona Republican Sen. John) McCain to move forward on that. ... We'll do that."

The Senate Majority Leader went on say that he did not expect "much of a fight at all," and expressed his optimism about passing common sense immigration reform in the near future.

Why is Reid so confident?

It may have something to do with the failure of anti-immigrant politics at the ballot-box, the growing power of the Latino and immigrant vote, or the realization that Americans are looking to those they elected to tackle and solve the toughest issues of our day.

What's more, in this new landscape, Senator Reid's comments join a distinctly bipartisan chorus. Chiming in are many Republican strategists and leaders speaking out against the GOP's restrictionist, enforcement-only approach to immigration. Senator Mel Martinez (R-FL) recently said on NBC's Meet the Press:

"There were voices within our party that if they continue with that kind of anti-Hispanic rhetoric, we're going to be relegated to minority status."

In Newsweek, Karl Rove argued that, in order for the GOP to stay afloat, Republicans must truly support policy that "strengthens citizenship, grows our economy and keeps America a welcoming nation."

Given this new political reality, all signs point to a monumental shift in how immigration reform may be taken up and tackled in the 111th Congress.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Yes,Common sense, that is what is needed to get the immigration issue resolved.
Get the ten,fifteen, whatever the number of undocumented/illegals, get them paying taxes if they are not already doing so and stop the dollar drain from this country.
Think of it like this, if ten million people get a fine of $1000 each or what ever the number to get a visa.
10,000,000 x $1000.
Show your support call/e.mail Senator Reids office and thank him. You can find how to get in touch with his office on his web page. CALL NOW....

Anonymous said...

The Anti-Immi GOP Know nothings wont be able to do the math. Anyway who cares about them... Welcome 2009! and the 111th Congress... We love U!

Anonymous said...

"stop the dollar drain from this country...

Are you talking about taxing foreign remittances?

Anonymous said...

$1,000 is too low. The fine should be more like $10,000. And the money could be used to pay off the deficit. Just a thought

Anonymous said...

"Stop the dollar drain" meaning, to give undocumented people something within this country to invest in, property, business etc..
Common sense.
As for the GOP knowing nothing, I wish. If something comes up for a vote next year, there is still going to be a lot of resistance.

Anonymous said...

I'm writing this because you're on Citizen Orange's blogroll. I'm looking only to keep people I'm in touch with so if you could please send me an email at kyle at citizenorange dot com I would appreciate it.

Anonymous said...

Karl Rove has been wrong before.