Comprehensive Immigration Reform: TOO BIG TO FAIL

Conventional wisdom has it that the odds are stacked against comprehensive immigration reform passing Congress before the “silly season” of electioneering sets in. The reason, of course, is that Wall Street is prospering once again while Main Street continues to suffer devastating unemployment, frozen small business credit and a new wave of home foreclosures.
 
Can immigration reform possibly succeed in this environment? We believe the answer is yes, it can. Here’s why.  

First, President Obama and the Democratic party cannot afford to fail on this one. They are in too deep. Immigration, perhaps more than any other issue, tests the moral fiber of the President and the political party of which he is a part. Failing to meet this challenge will expose President Obama and his party as the hollowest of politicians incapable of summoning the courage to do what’s right. Last time around in 2007, it was Republicans who failed to do the right thing in the face of political expediency. Now it is entirely in Democrat hands as they dominate both the House and Senate.

Second, as People of Faith, we along with other reform advocates have grown in capacity, political sophistication and unity on this issue. We are willing to fight for comprehensive reform by holding President Obama and the Democrat Party’s feet to the moral fire. We are capable of spelling out the irreparable damage to President Obama and the Democrats that will flow from failure to fix the broken immigration system this year. Our growing capacity in this regard, as it becomes part of the larger political calculus, will help drive immigration reform home to a successful conclusion.