Economy May Force Obama to Abandon Tactic to Overhaul Immigration
Lawmakers, lobbyists and advocates on both sides of the issue said the highest unemployment rate in more than 25 years would make it difficult for President Barack Obama to push legislation that would legalize millions of immigrants in the country illegally and create a new guest-worker program.
“The debate has changed,” said Senator Jeff Sessions, an Alabama Republican who opposed immigration legislation when it was last considered in 2007. “I dont think its going to be a pleasant discussion because the American people wont be happy about it.”
This month, White House Spokesman Robert Gibbs said Obama would soon introduce new plans for overhauling immigration, a legislative priority for companies such as chipmaker Intel Corp., hotel-chain Marriott International Inc. and Western Union Co., the worlds biggest money-transfer business.
In Mexico City last week, Obama, 47, said he remains “committed to fixing our broken immigration system,” and a Senate committee has announced it will begin hearings on the issue next week. Still, David Axelrod, a senior White House adviser, said the president may not be able to make good on his promise to sign legislation within his first year in office.
Committed to It
“Were committed to beginning that discussion this year,” Axelrod said in an interview last week. “Whether we complete that this year is another question.”
Obamas predecessor, President George W. Bush, abandoned a push for a comprehensive plan in his first term after the Sept. 11 attacks raised concerns over border security. A proposal he initiated in his second term was killed by Congress in 2007, even though it was supported by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the largest U.S. business lobbying organization. The group said it would support renewed efforts this year.
“We are cautiously optimistic,” said Angelo Amador, the chambers director of immigration policy.
Technology companies such as Santa Clara, California-based Intel are pressing for an increase in H1-B visas for highly skilled workers, such as computer engineers. Englewood, Colorado-based Western Union and Bethesda, Maryland-based Marriott have joined a new advocacy group, ImmigrationWorks USA, to push for legislation.
Going to Do It
“The president is talking about it and hes going to do it,” said Tamar Jacoby, the Washington-based groups president.
“Rising unemployment rates, coupled with continuing dismal economic news, are battering the publics inclination to back a change in illegal immigrants status, which was never that strong to begin with,” said Kersh.
Jennifer Verdery, director of workforce policy for Intel, agreed that the economy may delay action.
“Its clear that immigration reform is something that has been put on the back burner,” she said.
Opponents have seized on the unemployment numbers. Immigration-legislation proponents “are going to have to be faced with the argument that I and many others are making: Illegals are taking jobs Americans now want,” said Representative Steve King, an Iowa Republican who opposed the previous immigration measure.
Difficult Conditions
Nonetheless, Senator Charles Schumer, a New York Democrat, said he was undeterred by “these difficult economic conditions” and would press ahead with hearings this month in the Senates Subcommittee on Immigration, Refugees and Border Security, which he chairs.
“There is a real chance of passing comprehensive reform this year,” said Schumer, 58.