Immigration enforcement tops news, reform remains unlikely before election

Homeland Security's new Secretary, Jeh Johnson hit the Sunday morning talk shows to defend the Obama administration's record on immigration enforcement:


"This Week" Jeh Johnson

Homeland Security Chief Stresses Families in Immigration

Many were surprised by Congressman John Boehner's comments about his Republican colleagues in the House and their unwillingness to address immigration reform:

Boehner ‘mocked’ colleagues on immigration

But concerns about enforcement remain:

Obama's Deportation Catch-22

Immigration and the Civil Rights Summit

With comprehensive immigration reform off the table for now, immigration advocates have turned to the issue of deportations, particularly of family members.  The Obama administration has reached 2 million deportations and advocates are urging the President to change his policies and consider the welfare of children and families:

Report: Deportations Quadrupled With Obama, Two-Thirds Were For Minor Offenses

UT students were among those protesting deportations both Wednesday afternoon and Thursday during the Civil Rights Summit, with a large march from the UT Tower to the LBJ Library:

Students Protest Ahead of Obama's Civil Rights Speech

Group protests for immigration rights

Immigration Politics in the U.S. and Europe: Obama getting pressured on deportations and David Cameron seeks limits on EU Migration

Immigrant advocates pressure President Obama to end deportations, which have been at record levels:

Immigration reform advocates welcome Obama's review of deportations

Luis Gutierrez: A Less 'Defensive' Obama Shows Up At Immigration Meeting

While the GOP considers its position:

For G.O.P., Hard Line on Immigration Comes at a Cost

House GOP Passes Immigration-Related Bill That Goes After Dreamers

Immigrant Activists Interrupt John Boehner's Breakfast

Obama is even pressured by a European friend:

Irish PM raises immigration issue

U.S. Supreme Court declines immigration cases

Kobach’s drive against illegal immigration set back as U.S. Supreme Court declines cases

And in Europe...

Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/2014/03/03/4863257/kobachs-drive-against-illegal.html#storylink=cpy

Cameron seeks limits on EU judicial powers and migration

Net migration jumps in the UK

Spain tries to block flows from Africa

Activists try to put immigration back on the agenda

Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) has a district that is changing - and may lead to a new focus on immigration reform:

As Hispanic population booms, immigration debate comes to key Republican’s Va. district

Meanwhile, in Florida:

Miami immigrant rights group to host annual awards dinner with hopes for immigration reform

A network of young immigrants are looking to President Obama to cut back on deportations:

Young Immigrants Turn Focus to President in Struggle Over Deportations

While other advocates began a nation-wide bus tour that will stop in key congressional districts in Texas:

Cross-country trek embarks for immigration reform

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2014/03/01/3967137/miami-immigrant-rights-group-to.html#storylink=cpy

 

 

Boehner says immigration reform off the table for this year

House Speaker John Boehner surprised many analysts last week, saying that passing immigration reform was unlikely before the 2014 midterm elections. The rationale behind this is complicated as noted in this article from the New York Times:

Behind Retreat on Immigration, a Complicated Political Interplay

Why are many Republicans against a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants? This cartoon helps explain part of the reason...

Meanwhile, Senator Chuck Schumer has been looking for ways to get around the roadblocks in the House:

Schumer Offers Long-Shot Option to Skirt House G.O.P. on Immigration

To see an  in-depth look at immigration issues that have come up this week in Europe, check out my Europe blog: http://givenseurope.blogspot.com/2014/02/putting-swiss-vote-in-context-uk-and.html

 

GOP Unveils Immigration Principles, Obama Facing Tough Choices

On Thursday the GOP presented their "Immigration Principles" which are expected to lay the groundwork for legislation going forward - the principles call for legalization but not a path to citizenship:
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/31/us/politics/text-of-republicans-principles-on-immigration.html?_r=0

President Obama, who has previously called for a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants has said he is open to compromise with the House:
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/01/us/obama-hints-he-may-be-open-to-immigration-deal-with-gop.html

"The quandary for Mr. Obama is clear: He has vowed to overhaul immigration in two presidential campaigns, but to make good on the promise, he may have to agree to conditions from House Republicans that will be hard for many Democrats to accept. Mr. Boehner is facing pressure of his own to come up with a plan that will appeal to Hispanic voters."

 

Speaker John A. Boehner’s blueprint may force President Obama to decide whether to abandon a new path to citizenship. Doug Mills/The New York Times

Editorial from the New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/31/opinion/fixing-immigration-in-principle.html?hp&rref=opinion

Jennifer Rubin highlights the challenges that reform proposals will face: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/right-turn/wp/2014/01/31/immigration-reform-stumbles-on/

 

Immigration Rising on House GOP Agenda - Obama backs off while States charge ahead

Conservative blogger Jennifer Rubin finds cause for optimism on the immigration reform front in the house as leaders begin to stake out positions: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/right-turn/wp/2014/01/22/positive-signs-for-immigration-reform/

The Hill also reports that the 3rd ranking House Republican is calling for legal status, but not citizenship, for undocumented immigrants:  http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/right-turn/wp/2014/01/22/positive-signs-for-immigration-reform/

Meanwhile, President Obama is holding off on taking any executive action to allow the House time to work out a deal: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/right-turn/wp/2014/01/22/positive-signs-for-immigration-reform/

Meanwhile, states have been taking action on immigration in the absence of a bill passing at the federal level; http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/govbeat/wp/2014/01/21/states-take-action-on-immigration-as-congress-stalls/

Immigration Texas is back! Stories on the state of play in the House and Europe's concerns over intra-EU migration

The politics of immigration hasn't changed much since my last post in July.  The House of Representatives has not taken action on the Senate's comprehensive bill, and the current expectation is that some action might be taken in the Spring:
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/09/us/politics/house-republicans-preparing-plan-for-immigration-overhaul.html?_r=0
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is joining with business interests, labor and immigration advocates to push for action by the House: http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2014/01/08/us-chamber-of-commerce-immigration-election-tea-party/4372125/

In Europe, immigration from Bulgaria and Romania has raised issues about intra-EU migration:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/british-welcome-of-immigrants-wears-thin/2014/01/07/25f2b560-7568-11e3-bc6b-712d770c3715_story.html

The issue has impacted German politics as well as in Britain:
http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304347904579308380486793934
But some say the issue has been overblown:
http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/cities-say-southeastern-european-immigrants-not-a-massive-problem-a-942663.html#ref=nl-international