This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jun/11/immigration-president-obama-congress

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Immigration: Obama calls on Congress to 'do the right thing' Immigration: Obama calls on Congress to 'do the right thing'
(4 months later)
President Barack Obama has called on Congress to "do the right thing" and pass a controversial immigration reform bill aimed at forming a path to citizenship for 11 million undocumented workers in the US.President Barack Obama has called on Congress to "do the right thing" and pass a controversial immigration reform bill aimed at forming a path to citizenship for 11 million undocumented workers in the US.
The Senate is starting a three-week debate on Tuesday on a sweeping law that has vast political importance for Republicans and Democrats alike. Under the legislation $6.5bn will be invested in increased border security.The Senate is starting a three-week debate on Tuesday on a sweeping law that has vast political importance for Republicans and Democrats alike. Under the legislation $6.5bn will be invested in increased border security.
For Obama it represents a chance to turn around his increasingly scandal-hit second term and secure the same sort of landmark domestic reform that a new healthcare law played in his first term. For Republicans immigration reform is a trickier proposition – they need to play to their base's concerns over illegal immigration while also avoiding giving offence to America's increasingly powerful Hispanic voting bloc.For Obama it represents a chance to turn around his increasingly scandal-hit second term and secure the same sort of landmark domestic reform that a new healthcare law played in his first term. For Republicans immigration reform is a trickier proposition – they need to play to their base's concerns over illegal immigration while also avoiding giving offence to America's increasingly powerful Hispanic voting bloc.
Obama made his pitch for passage of the law with an emotional appeal and a nod to America's history. "We are a nation of immigrants," he said at a speech from the White House and added: "The vast majority of these individuals are not looking for any trouble. They are looking to provide for their families."Obama made his pitch for passage of the law with an emotional appeal and a nod to America's history. "We are a nation of immigrants," he said at a speech from the White House and added: "The vast majority of these individuals are not looking for any trouble. They are looking to provide for their families."
Obama called the law "the best chance we have had in years to fix our broken immigration system" and said there was no reason for the measures to not eventually become law. "If you are serious about fixing the system, then this is the vehicle to do it." he said.Obama called the law "the best chance we have had in years to fix our broken immigration system" and said there was no reason for the measures to not eventually become law. "If you are serious about fixing the system, then this is the vehicle to do it." he said.
The president gave his speech flanked by a variety of speakers from all over the political spectrum and sectors of the economy – in a move intended to reflect broad and bi-partisan support for dealing with the issue. With the president were figures like San Antonio mayor Julian Castro, the Chamber of Commerce president, Tom Donohue, SEIU union leader Mary Kay Henry and representatives of law enforcement.The president gave his speech flanked by a variety of speakers from all over the political spectrum and sectors of the economy – in a move intended to reflect broad and bi-partisan support for dealing with the issue. With the president were figures like San Antonio mayor Julian Castro, the Chamber of Commerce president, Tom Donohue, SEIU union leader Mary Kay Henry and representatives of law enforcement.
But Republican hawks are becoming more vocal in threatening any prospect of any easy passage of the legislation. Florida Senator Marco Rubio, who is seen as a leading Hispanic hope of the Republicans, helped draft the plan but last week he shocked observers by announcing that he doubted it would pass unless further resources were devoted to border security. Some leading Republicans have also come out strongly against the legislation. On Monday, Iowa Republican senator Chuck Grassley said the bill repeated "our past mistakes" by helping legalise the status of those who crossed into the country by breaking the law.But Republican hawks are becoming more vocal in threatening any prospect of any easy passage of the legislation. Florida Senator Marco Rubio, who is seen as a leading Hispanic hope of the Republicans, helped draft the plan but last week he shocked observers by announcing that he doubted it would pass unless further resources were devoted to border security. Some leading Republicans have also come out strongly against the legislation. On Monday, Iowa Republican senator Chuck Grassley said the bill repeated "our past mistakes" by helping legalise the status of those who crossed into the country by breaking the law.
Obama addressed those concerns by pointing out that in order to become citizens undocumented immigrants would face a barrage of background checks and investigations that would take many years and would stringently vet them. He pointed out that for the vast majority of people it would likely take at least 13 years before they are even able to apply for citizenship. "This is no cake walk," he said.Obama addressed those concerns by pointing out that in order to become citizens undocumented immigrants would face a barrage of background checks and investigations that would take many years and would stringently vet them. He pointed out that for the vast majority of people it would likely take at least 13 years before they are even able to apply for citizenship. "This is no cake walk," he said.
However, despite such assurances, Democrats and the White House face a difficult task marshalling enough votes to support it. Though most of the 54 Senate Democrats are expected to pass the bill, so far only four Republicans have come out in favour. That leaves the hurdle of 60 votes still out of reach, but Democratic leaders have set themselves a target of getting around 70 votes in the Senate as a way of signalling strong bi-partisan support to the more conservative, Republican-controlled House of Representatives.However, despite such assurances, Democrats and the White House face a difficult task marshalling enough votes to support it. Though most of the 54 Senate Democrats are expected to pass the bill, so far only four Republicans have come out in favour. That leaves the hurdle of 60 votes still out of reach, but Democratic leaders have set themselves a target of getting around 70 votes in the Senate as a way of signalling strong bi-partisan support to the more conservative, Republican-controlled House of Representatives.
The legislation, which would be the biggest immigration overhaul since President Ronald Reagan backed an amnesty in 1986, has been put together by a group of senators from both parties that has been dubbed "the Gang of Eight". It is trying to balance establishing a concrete way for undocumented but law-abiding immigrants already here to get US citizenship, with toughening up border security. As the debate unfolds in the next few weeks it will face a barrage of amendments from Republicans – some designed to help legislation pass with more Republican support and others designed to kill it altogether.The legislation, which would be the biggest immigration overhaul since President Ronald Reagan backed an amnesty in 1986, has been put together by a group of senators from both parties that has been dubbed "the Gang of Eight". It is trying to balance establishing a concrete way for undocumented but law-abiding immigrants already here to get US citizenship, with toughening up border security. As the debate unfolds in the next few weeks it will face a barrage of amendments from Republicans – some designed to help legislation pass with more Republican support and others designed to kill it altogether.
It will be a tough needle to thread. For example, a set of proposals from Texas senator John Cornyn, which require a tougher set of standards for newly legalised immigrants to get a green card, could swing extra Republicans on board, but at the same time it could be hardline enough to cause some Democrats to oppose it. Indeed, Senate majority leader Harry Reid called the Cornyn ammendment a "poison pill". Obama acknowledged the likely hurdles ahead. "Nobody's going to get everything they want. Not Democrats. Not Republicans. Not me," he said.It will be a tough needle to thread. For example, a set of proposals from Texas senator John Cornyn, which require a tougher set of standards for newly legalised immigrants to get a green card, could swing extra Republicans on board, but at the same time it could be hardline enough to cause some Democrats to oppose it. Indeed, Senate majority leader Harry Reid called the Cornyn ammendment a "poison pill". Obama acknowledged the likely hurdles ahead. "Nobody's going to get everything they want. Not Democrats. Not Republicans. Not me," he said.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. Enter your email address to subscribe.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox every weekday.