Hispanic Programs

The Philadelphia Inquirer published a fascinating editorial yesterday drawing clear distinctions between immigration reform and health care reform - and arguing as to why immigration reform should have gone first. The inquirer notes: 

The president can't ignore the polls. His success is inextricably tied to his popularity. But even in only his first eight months of office, he should have learned that Americans like a fighter. Immigration reform is something worth fighting for. It's been supported by Republicans and Democrats. It has links to other important issues, including education, employment, and, yes, health care.

Along those lines, in 2007, before the Democrats held such a significant majority in both Chambers of Congress, Simon Rosenberg asked,"Can Democrats Seize the Opportunity the Immigration Debate Offers Them?":

...It is simply astonishing that Democrats have not fully grasped the enormity of the opportunity immigration reform presents. Embracing comprehensive immigration reform will allow to draw a bright line distinction with the GOP on an issue where the Democratic position has majority support of the American people; has the support of a deep and broad national coalition that includes prominent religious leaders, labor, business and immigrant rights groups, elected leaders...and [immigration reform] passed a GOP-controlled Senate with 62 votes; shows they can take on the tough ones, and work to solve vexing national problems; drives a deep wedge in the GOP coalition; and makes a major overture to Hispanics, who are the key to a permanent 21st century progressive governing coalition....

Immigration should properly be seen by Democrats as one their greatest political and governing opportunities of this political era, and a true test of whether they have what it takes to lead the emerging America of the 21st century. The Republicans are failing their test. For the good of the country I hope the Democrats pass theirs.

In early January, 2009, Simon Rosenberg wrote "On Congress, SHCIP, and Immigration Reform":

"That the debate over SCHIP has immediately become a debate about immigration should be a clear warning to the Administration and Congress that progress on many important domestic priorities this year may get caught up in the debate on how to best fix our broken immigration system. It is our belief that rather than having a series of tough and contentious proxy fights on immigration, our leaders should recognize that passing comprehensive immigration reform this year will not only help fix our badly broken immigration system - a priority of many Americans - but may also be the key to unlocking bipartisan progress on a whole range of other domestic and security related issues." 

In April, 2009, as one argument  "Making the Case for Immigration Reform," Simon wrote: 

6. The Administration and Congress will grow weary of what we call  "immigration proxy wars," and will want the issue taken off the table.  

With rising violence in Mexico, and the everyday drumbeat of clashes and conflicts over immigration in communities across America, the broken immigration system is not going to fade from public consciousness any time soon. The very vocal minority on the right -- those who put this issue on the table in the first place -- will continue to try to attach amendments to other bills ensuring that various government benefits are not conferred upon undocumenteds. We have already seen battles pop up this year on virtually every major bill Congress has taken up, including SCHIP and the stimulus. By the fall, I think leaders of both parties will grow weary of these proxy battles popping up on every issue and will want to resolve the issue once and for all. Passing immigration reform will become essential to making progress on other much needed societal goals like moving toward universal health insurance. 

In sum, I would just like to point out how immigration reform is NOT health care reform. Primarily because: 

1) The coalition for immigration reform is much broader - Immigration reform does draw strong feelings from both sides of the issue, but the fight for CIR draws a broader and larger number of grassroots activists (faith community, small business and Fortune 500, Asian-Pacific community, Hispanic, Ag, Labor, etc.) who are sufficiently passionate about this issue to come out to town halls, write letters, emails, attend organizational meetings, etc. to defend a stance for reform.

2) No one can claim CIR will cost us money, as CIR provides net revenue - The only persons affected by CIR will be the immigrants and families of immigrants who want it, they are the ones who will bear the cost of adjustment of status, becoming full-fledged taxpaying citizens, etc.   We have written before as to how the cost of the legalization component of CIR will be a net benefit, not cost, to taxpayers.  

3) History of bipartisanship - As Simon points out, no bipartisan health care bill has passed Congress, while we do have a history of bipartisan immigration bills passing Congress: from the 1986 bill amnesty bill, to the 1996 criminalization legislation, to the McCain-Kennedy reform legislation.  

4) Impact on the Redistricting/Apportionment Process - Without comprehensive immigration reform (CIR), minority and immigrant communities of all backgrounds will continue to feel marginalized and persecuted - even if they are here legally; DHS raids and deportations understandably cause a deep mistrust towards anything related to the government.  Translation: without CIR, an important percentage of people will fear the Census, might refuse to talk with Census workers and be counted, and will thus skew apportionment data. This would lead to use of faulty data in the redistricting and reapportionment processes.  FYI, the Constitution calls for all persons to be counted, not only U.S. citizens. In sum, CIR can have broader and more long-lasting political implications.  

Yesterday, Janet Napolitano, Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), led a White House meeting with key groups and stakeholders to discuss immigration policy. 

For anyone interested in learning more about this important issue we've assembled the following set of background material:

Key Arguments:

Beck Loses Advertisers, Dobbs Should be Worried, Simon Rosenberg, 8/14/09 - Rosenberg presents at Netroots and discusses the implication of advertisers withdrawing from purchasing air time on the Glenn Beck show on Fox. 

The Coming Battle Over the Census, Simon Rosenberg, 8/10/09 - For many months now NDN has been making the case that inevitably the right would make a spirited case to prevent the 2010 Census from counting undocumented immigrants, or at least using their numbers to influence reapportionment or the allocation of resources by the government.  We argue that it is important for the Obama Administration to pass Compehensive Immigration Reform by March of 2010 (the count begins in April, 2010) in order to avoid what could become a very nasty debate about who should be counted.

Sotomayor, Hispanics, and the Martinez Resignation, Simon Rosenberg, 8/7/09 - Rosenberg offers initial thoughts on the way the Senate Republicans handled the Sotomayor vote and how that contributes to the alientation Hispanics feel towards the GOP.  Highlights the significance of the only minority Republican Senator fleeing the national Republican Party.

Making the Case for Passage of Immigration Reform This Year, Simon Rosenberg, 6/16/09 - Rosenberg lays out the basic foundation for why Congress must pass comprehensive immigration reform. This summary is a good introduction for those wanting to learn the fundamentals of this issue.

Making the Case: 7 Reasons Why Congress Should Pass Comprehensive Immigration Reform this Year,Huffington Post, Simon Rosenberg, 4/30/09 - Rosenberg argues that the answer to whether Congress can pass reform this year is "yes."

A Responsible Immigration Policy - A Series of Essays from NDN

Hispanics Rising II, Updated May 2008 - NDN's commentary pertaining to the impact of the growing Hispanic electorate on national elections, key data and projections that support the argument that whoever wins the Hispanic vote can maintain a hold on national elections.  

On Obama, Race, and the End of the Southern Strategy, Simon Rosenberg, 1/4/08 - Rosenberg discusses the impact of the figure of Barack Obama, as America undergoes one of the most significant demographic transformations in History.  As such,liberating American politics from the pernicious era of the Southern Strategy, based on the exploitation of race, should be one the highest strategic priorities for left-of-center politics.

Can Democrats Seize the Opportunity The Immigration Debate Offers Them?, Simon Rosenberg, 12/11/07 - Rosenberg explains how embracing comprehensive immigration reform will allow Democrats to draw a bright line distinction with the GOP on an issue where the Democratic position has majority support of the American people and of a deep and broad national coalition.  Takin on CIR shows Congress can work to solve vexing national problems; drives a deep wedge in the GOP coalition; and makes a major overture to Hispanics, who are the key to a permanent 21st century progressive governing coalition.

Polling: 

NDN Poll in Battleground States on Immigration, 9/2/08

Polling of Swing Districts, America's Voice/Benenson Strategy Group, 2/19/09

Recent Polling on Immigration,  America's Voice/Benenson Strategy Group, 6/2/09 - Since a previous America's Voice poll in November, Pete Brodnitz of the Benenson Stratagey Group finds that support for comprehensive reform has been stable (and high), but increasing numbers of voters see the economic benefit of passing comprehensive immigration reform. The poll is consistent with NDN polling by Bendixen & Associates in its affirmation of overwhelming public support for immigration reform.

Videos:

Politics and Policy: What to Expect from the Immigration Debate, Simon Rosenberg, Ali Noorani, and Tamar Jacoby, 8/4/09

NDN Forum Immigration Reform: Politics, Public Opinion and Legislative Prospects,   Simon Rosenberg and Andres Ramirez, 6/16/09. Please click here for video of Simon Rosenberg's presentation; please click herefor video of Andres’ presentation.

NDN, America's Voice, NCLR Team Up to Reiterate the Need for Comprehensive Immigration Reform This Year, 2/19/09

“Immigration Reform and the Next Administration,” NDN Event at the Democratic National Committee Convention in Denver, CO, Rep. Zoe Lofgren, Marco Lopez, Frank Sharry, Janet Murguia, 8/25/08 

NDN Bicameral Event for Comprehensive Immigration Reform, Rep. Gutierrez, Rep.Lofgren, Sen. Reid, Sen. Kennedy, Sen. Menendez, 3/3/07 

To stay up-to-date, follow us on the NDN Immigration Weekly.

A reminder that the leaders of the two largest pro-immigration reform coalitions in the country – Tamar Jacoby of ImmigrationWorks and Ali Noorani of the National Immigration Forum – will join NDN President Simon Rosenberg for a panel discussion in the NDN events room today, August 4, at 12:00 PM.  Ms. Jacoby and Mr. Noorani spearhead two diverse coalitions -- from business and labor to faith and community organizations -- working to move this issue to the forefront of the national agenda

Ms. Jacoby, Mr. Noorani and Mr. Rosenberg will be discussing the political and policy elements that are likely to be considered in the upcoming comprehensive immigration reform bill in Congress.  Lunch will be served; please arrive on time to guarantee a seat.  If you are unable to attend in person, you can watch our live high-quality stream beginning at 12:15 PM EST here.

We look forward to your participation in this timely and compelling event.

Please join NDN on Tuesday, August 4 at 12:00 p.m. for a discussion of the political and policy elements that are likely to be considered in the upcoming comprehensive immigration reform bill in Congress.

There have been several hearings and discussions among policy-makers regarding our broken immigration system and some members of Congress have indicated that a bill may be introduced in Congress as early as this fall.  There is a diverse group of coalitions - from business, to labor, to faith and community organizations - working to move this issue to the forefront of the national agenda.

NDN President, Simon Rosenberg, will be joined by Tamar Jacoby, President, ImmigrationWorks and Ali Noorani, Executive Director, National Immigration Forum for this compelling and timely discussion.

The forum will be held at NDN from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Please click here to RSVP.  Lunch will be served. Please arrive early to guarantee a seat.  For those not able to attend, we will be providing a live Web cast of the event; just go to ndnblog.org/livecast at 12:15 p.m. ET to catch a high-quality stream of the forum. 

We look forward to seeing you at this important event.  

For additional background information on NDN's work in this space:

Key Arguments:

A Responsible Immigration Policy

Making the Case for Passage of Immigration Reform This Year, Simon Rosenberg, 6/16/09 

Making the Case: 7 Reasons Why Congress Should Pass Comprehensive Immigration Reform this Year, Huffington Post, Simon Rosenberg, 4/30/09

Hispanics Rising II, Updated May 2008

Can Democrats Seize the Opportunity The Immigration Debate Offers Them?, Simon Rosenberg, 12/11/07 

Polling: 

NDN Poll in Battleground States on Immigration, 9/2/08

Polling of Swing Districts, America's Voice/Benenson Strategy Group, 2/19/09

Recent Polling on Immigration,  America's Voice/Benenson Strategy Group, 6/2/09

Videos:

NDN Forum Immigration Reform: Politics, Public Opinion and Legislative Prospects,   Simon Rosenberg and Andres Ramirez, 6/16/09. Please click here for video of Simon Rosenberg's presentation; please click here for video of Andres’ presentation.

NDN, America's Voice, NCLR Team Up to Reiterate the Need for Comprehensive Immigration Reform This Year, 2/19/09

“Immigration Reform and the Next Administration,” NDN Event at the Democratic National Committee Convention in Denver, CO, Rep. Zoe Lofgren, Marco Lopez, Frank Sharry, Janet Murguia, 8/25/08 

NDN Bicameral Event for Comprehensive Immigration Reform, Rep. Gutierrez, Rep.Lofgren, Sen. Reid, Sen. Kennedy, Sen. Menendez, 3/3/07 

E-VERIFY - DHS reported today that starting Sept. 8, the E-Verify system, an online tool that checks a worker's Social Security number and immigration status, will be mandatory for all  contractors and subcontractors and their employees assigned to federal contracts.  Moreover, these contractors and subcontrators now have to run all employees - not just new hires - though the system.

Soon after the announcement, the Senate approved by voice vote an amendment to the FY10 Homeland Security appropriations bill offered by Sen. Jeff Sessions that would make the soon-to-expire – and increasingly criticized – E-Verify program permanent.  

A lesser-known provision was inserted by Senate Judiciary Chairman Patrick Leahy to permanently authorize the EB-5 visa program, which enables foreigners who invest at least $500,000 in the United States to obtain a green card (yes, a fact unknown to most Americans is that you CAN buy a legitimate green card…if you can afford it).  

The Senate also voted 54-44 to adopt an amendment from Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.), that would require the department to build up to 700 miles of fencing along the Southwest border (because those taxpayer dollars have been SO well spent until now) – nice way for those Republicans to “cut back unnecessary spending.”  

AL FRANKEN – WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR IMMIGRATION REFORM? – Yes, with Franken in the Senate Dems now have 60 votes.  Yes, Democrats have the votes, but many are still missing the backbone to fix the broken immigration system.  While Franken is exemplary in his support of immigration reform, this is still not the case for many of his colleagues. 

The vote on the e-verify amendment presented the first break between Franken and the Senior Senator from Minnesota, Amy Klobuchar (Dem leadership and Franken voted against the amendment, Klobuchar voted in favor).  It is these kinds of New Dems who will have to be whipped into shape (figuratively) to recognize the urgency and need for immigration reform.  

HOW TO CONVINCE THEM? – Many of us who study the issue of immigration on a daily basis are fully aware of the economic and social net benefit that reform will bring to all Americans.  Luckily, today's developments coincided with the release of a bipartisan task force report that said overhauling the nation's immigration system and giving millions of undocumented workers a path to legal citizenship is critical to America's national security and economic interests.  Comprehensive legislative changes should be "a first-tier priority for the Obama administration and Congress," said the report, released by a Council on Foreign Relations task force led by former Florida Republican Gov. Jeb Bush and Thomas (Mack) McLarty, who served as President Bill Clinton's chief of staff.

The authors of the report essentially reiterated what I wrote in my Weekly Update on Monday:  "The United States, a country shaped by generations of immigrants and their descendants, is badly mishandling its immigration policy, with serious consequences for its standing in the world," the report said.

Among other things, McLarty disputed the notion that giving undocumented workers now in the country a path to citizenship would be akin to giving them amnesty. They would have to first pay fines, learn English, assimilate and wait behind current applicants, McLarty said.

Thursday marks the fourth day since the Honduran military ousted President Manuel Zalaya in a bloodless coup and exiled him to Costa Rica.  The coup has been met with near-universal international opprobrium: the United Nations passed a resolution on Tuesday condemning the military’s actions as fundamentally undemocratic; the Organization of American States has threatened to suspend Honduras if Zayala is not reinstated to the presidency; the World Bank has frozen loans to the country; and leaders running the spectrum from Barack Obama to Hugo Chavez have resoundingly criticized the military takeover.

Zelaya was deposed following a contentious debate over the legality of holding a referendum asking Hondurans to change the constitution to eliminate term limits for the president. The Honduran Supreme Court, the military, and the legislative branch had all declared his planned ballot to be illegal. Roberto Micheletti, the Honduran Congressional leader, has assumed the presidency in Zalaya’s absence and has vowed that nothing short of a military invasion will reinstate Zalaya as President. The unseated president has stated his plans to return to Honduras with a delegation of Latin American leaders, including the presidents of Ecuador and Argentina; however, Micheletti proclaimed on Wednesday that Zalaya will be arrested the moment he sets foot in Honduras.