After "fiscal cliff", immigration next priority for Obama

Comprehensive immigration reform will top President Obama's to-do list following his inauguration next month, the Los Angeles Times reports, with the administration's hope that a law can be passed before politics of the 2014 and 2016 elections begin to harden party lines.

The initiative - which will include a "social media blitz" - would seek, among other things, a path to citizenship for 11 million illegal immigrants, strengthened border security, an easier means of bringing in foreign workers under special visas, and stricter penalties for employers who hire illegals, according to the Times. Cabinet secretaries will push the reform's benefits to business, education, health care, and public safety.

One of the biggest criticisms lobbed at the president during his first term by his 2008 supporters was the lack of movement on his immigration promises, including the DREAM Act, which would increase border security while also providing a pathway to citizenship for young immigrants. He was widely panned by both parties for using the issue as a political gimmick when he passed an executive order six months before the election, halting the deportation of children of illegal immigrants.

In September, the president was also called out by an interviewer during a Univision forum who accused the president of breaking a promise to tackle immigration reform during his first year as president. "A promise is a promise," said Univision's Jorge Ramos, "and with all due respect, but you didn't keep that promise."

• Obama: I'll get immigration reform done next year
• Obama grilled on immigration promise

Now, Mr. Obama is trying to make good on what he said he is "confident" can be done on the issue in his second term. With the window between campaign seasons growing increasingly smaller in recent years, Democratic strategists know they have to act fast; congressional hearings could begin as soon as late January.

One White House official emphasized to the Times that the administration is currently aiming all of its focus at averting the so-called "fiscal cliff," a series of potentially disastrous tax hikes and spending cuts set to go into effect Jan. 1. But the adviser did point to remarks the president made in a recent news conference, promising to dive into immigration immediately after his Jan. 21 inauguration.

Republicans and Democrats, though, still have a lot to hash out, including whether to implement immigration reform in one fell swoop, or through a series of laws. What also remains in question is whether the White House will send a draft of legislation to the Hill for markup, or leave the bill-writing to Congress. In 2010, a large bipartisan immigration initiative died before even reaching the floor of the Senate - something proponents of a new law hope to avoid this time around.

"The president can't guarantee us the outcome but he can guarantee us the fight," Eliseo Medina, secretary-treasurer of the Service Employees International Union, told the Times. "We expect a strong fight."

[Galactus909]

Amnesty for illegal aliens is a terrible idea. We tried Amnesty in 1986 for 3 million illegal aliens and now we have 11 million illegals. Its time for the Federal Government to start enforcing the law. Deport all illegal aliens, secure the border and fine anyone who hires an illegal alien. We need Immigration reform to provide the funding to enforce the current laws and to make E-Verify mandatory and retro-active. All companies should fire the illegal aliens, so they can hire American Citizens.

[peresw]

"...a path to citizenship for 11 million illegal immigrants"
Paid all past overdue taxes, since they get here, learn English and go through a extensive background check here in US and on from their own countries...
"...strengthened border security"
Create marines and army training camps on the border. All military "guerrilla" training will gain a lot...

"...an easier means of bringing in foreign workers under special visas"
The actual process it's fair (PERM with DOL), but must be reviewed. There is room for improvements, specially with international students and investors category.

"...penalties for employers who hire illegals" ?
What about all the benefits the government pays to illegals...they also, should be "penalize". Now, improve the use of e-verify, deny DL, SSN, schools and social benefits for whomever can prove their status in US, should be the steps..

[24lomas]

All illegal aliens must be deported. The immigration system is not broken. Over 1 million legal immigrants enter our country each year. Is it broken? No. We do not need more people here. Enough with legal immigration (it must be reduced). No to illegal aliens. No amnesty for illegals. They must be deported now.

[Galactus909]

I agree completely. We have laws and the Federal Government has failed to enforce them. Amnesty was tried in 1986 and failed. We need immigration enforcement.

[magnumdr]

The immigration problem here in the USA is so bad that nothing can ever fix it. It seems that our elected Government people are not paying any attention to our origional written laws of our Country and just do whatever happens and do not enforce any of or laws. It is a shame that people don't care about what our Country is and stands for anymore, our laws of the land have slipped away and have been forgotten because of political pressures.

[diddy_back_again]

Magnumdr, it seems that what you speak of has not been taught in the socialist congregations known as schools and universities. This can be seen in the question posted before, "Please do tell us in detail what they are? (what original written laws of our country were and what our country is and stands for?)."

[judymar14]

I would think his priority would be Americans out of work, not bringing foreigners in to take their jobs. No matter how menial the jobs. The more who come into our country the more our economy suffers. Taxpayers paying for schooling, pre-natal/post-natal care for baby after baby, welfare/food stamps for 18 years because the children are American citizens, and the parents are and always will be low income. I guess having an opinion such as this makes me a racist.

I don't understand whenever I have dealings with any part of the government I have to show identification, drivers license, bith-certificate, social security card are the norm asked for. A passport and voters card can also be used for id.

So mind boggling being a WASP, though I am an atheist, so the protestant in WASP doesn't apply to me.

[hope2626]

honesty you all are just naturally dumb!! Mexican ppl are not the only ppl who are immigrants here. This all started with your Ancestors.. Also they are immigrants ppl from China, European Countries and Africa that are trying to have a better live here. Is not about taking away American jobs, is all about establishing themselves to help improve American system. You all are just selfish people who think this is your country which is NOT, it belongs to the native american.This is absolute a narrow way of thinking, because you live in a box not around honest, hardworking immigrants..

[Bleddyn71]

Dear Hope:

This is all about inflating an electoral slice for the pursuit holding on to political power. 12 million new citizens who will clearly vote for a political party because of a "favor".

Honest Hard working immigrants are usually 'legal immigrants' by the way. Please don't get them confused.

[judymar14]

My ANCESTORS came to America to better themselves. Not to look to the govenment for financial support. The country belonged to the Indians as well as South American countries, Canada and Mexico. Are we required to pay back for European countries mass invasion? Anyone who is so against what our ancestors did should go back to where 'their' ancestors came from, that is, if you can figure out what nation you came from, Ireland, Poland, Russia, France, need I go on?

[RollotheNorman]

Yep and it will be pure demographic suicide for Boehner & Co. to mount any significant opposition. I would wager $10K the lemmings will push Boehner into the sea.

[RollotheNorman]

Yep and it will be pure demographic suicide for Boehner & Co. to mount any significant opposition. I would wager $10K the lemmings will push Boehner into the sea.

[Linux_Lewis]

Every White country on the planet is forced to become multicultural and multiracial.

Every White country is ordered to "assimilate" its own race and culture to oblivion.

No "anti-racists" demand that of ANY non-White country.

It's genocide.

These anti-whites claim to be "anti-racist", but their actions result in the genocide of only one race, my race, White people. The true goal of immigration and assimilation is to wipe out my race.

Anti-racist is a code word for anti-White.

[rsmik]

Obama will accomplish immigration "reform" by declaring amnesty for any illegal alien hired as a tax break under Federal Form 8850.