UNDERSTANDING MIXED MESSAGES

Last week President Obama met with the leaders of both Mexico and Canada to discuss various issues; among them was immigration reform. The President stated publicly that he felt immigration reform would not be addressed until next year, citing health care reform and financial regulation reform as issues that would need to be implemented first. Despite outcry from several pro-immigration reform groups, believing that the President has postponed reform, the timetable is consistent with his message from June of this year.

Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY), who is leading the charge in the Senate for immigration reform, has previously stated that he believes a working draft of the bill will begin to be brought to Senate committees sometime after Congress resumes its session after Labor Day. Senator Schumer's timetable for reform has not deviated from its originally stated schedule and is consistent with the President's remarks from last week. It is believed that draft legislation will be introduced by Senators from both sides of the aisle and will remain in committees through the end of this year. The hopes are that a bill to be voted upon will be ready at the beginning of next year and will be passed sometime in the spring. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) has recently joined Senator Schumer in gaining support from other GOP members. Wes Hickman, a spokesman for Senator Graham, said in a statement that "Senator Graham is ready and willing to play a key role in immigration reform. He intends to work with many of his colleagues on both sides of the aisle." Senator Graham historically has supported the previous efforts to reform immigration policy.

Although many seem to be disappointed with the President's timetable last week and view his remarks as putting immigration reform on the “back burner," it seems clear that nothing has changed in regards to when legislation is to be formed and then hopefully passed. Knowing that a bill will not reach the Senate floor until next year allows time for us to continue to hold workshops in our institutions to broaden the understanding and active support for CIR. This is an opportunity to reach out to other individuals and to keep our Members of Congress informed as to how critical we believe reform of our immigration policy is.

It remains to be seen whether Senator McCain will join Senators Schumer and Graham in leading efforts for CIR. Senator McCain will be facing a primary challenge next year and his opponent, Chris Simcox, is known as the founder of the Minutemen Movement. It will be the challenge of the citizens of Arizona to keep Senator McCain proactive despite the difficult road his reelection may take.