Immigration and Arizona

Republican lawmakers and candidates are increasingly divided over illegal immigration. They are torn between the need to attract Latino support, especially at te ballot box and rallying party members who support tougher action. Arizona's new measure which requires that the police check the docouments of anyone they stop or detain who they suspect of being in the country illegally. This has forced politicians far and wide to take a stance. Conservative Republican governors: Jim Gibbons of Nevada, Robert F. McDonnnell of Virginia, and Rick Perry of Texas have all criticized the Arizona law. But Moderate Republicans like Tom Cambell, who is running in the party's Senate for California support the law. The decisions to either deny or support the bill causes immediate political consequences. The latest evidence may be Meg Whitman's declining fortunes. Ms. Whitman the former chief of executive of eBay, enjoyed a substantial lead over her principal rival for the Republican nomination for governor of California, Steve Poizner. She has seen her advantage slip tremendously, this is because Mr. Poizner has hammered her on her opposition to the Arizona law. She states she is 100% against amnesty for illegal immigrants. Period. A poll released by the Public Policy Institute of California showed her advantage falling 23 percentage points, down to 38 percent versus 29 for Mr. Poizner. Many people approve are starting to change their stance on the Arizona law. Many people are starting to be for it and agree that it may do some good.
Immigration reform is going to take years and years to be fixed the way that everyone wants it. Even then it will never be perfect. It will be hard to keep illegal immigrants out of the U.S. but securing the border can only happen after immigration is fixed.

Heated Words

After a visit from Mexican President Felipe Calderon, the immigration debate has again spiked in intensity. In addition to having President Calderon attend a state dinner at the White House, President Obama asked that he speak in the House Thursday on issues pertaining to U.S./Mexico relations. During the House meeting, Pres. Calderon discussed multiple topics, including a request to reinstate an expired assault weapons ban in addition to immigration reform for both sides of the border (CBS News). Calling the U.S. immigration policy "unefficient," Calderon was also noted as condemning the recent Arizona law and even going as far as calling it "racial profiling [for] implementation of law enforcement." Democrats in the House gave Calderon a standing ovation, however Republicans remained seated - showing their distaste for the condemnation of American policy within its own House.



The divide amongst the Democrats and Republicans over immigration reform goes farther than their opinion of Calderon's remarks. Despite Obama and House Democrat's efforts to engage Republicans and ask for support on a federal immigration bill, there has yet to be one Republican in the House who has stepped forward to assist in their efforts towards compromise. Prior to Calderon's address to the House, Obama had pleaded yet again to Republicans to step forward and raise the number of votes towards an immigration bill (60 votes are needed). Otherwise, it looks as if any support from the GOP won't occur this year (The Washington Post).

Even further still is the division in the Republican party about this bill (see posting below for further details outlining this issue).

In the future I (Leah) believe that the bill will take at least another year to be finalized and implemented. However, as Obama has shown us of late - it seems like drastic change doesn't take as long as it once has. The reason why is likely due to the strong opposition of the Republican party to yield to Democrat demands as to what should be in the federal bill. Until some sort of compromise can be made between the parties, its likely a long and laborious standoff will ensue. As far as what will be in the bill, i cant really make much of a prediction regarding that.