The Big Question: Should Dems push immigration reform?

Daniel Griswold, director of the Cato Institute’s Center for Trade Policy Studies, said:

Congress can and should pass comprehensive immigration reform in 2010. Any legislation worthy of the name would:

1) offer legalization to undocumented workers who have been here for several years, pass a security check, and pay a reasonable fine and back taxes;

2) create a temporary-visa program sufficient to meet future labor needs of a growing economy; and

3) enforce the law against those who still insist on working outside the system, but in a way that does not restrict the freedom of American citizens.

Reform would reduce illegal immigration by offering a legal alternative. It would tighten border security by allowing U.S. agents to focus on intercepting real criminals and terrorists, not dishwashers and gardeners. And it would expand output, investment, and job opportunities for middle-class Americans. Polls show a majority of Americans will accept the three-fold approach to reform. Recent elections confirm that support for reform is a modest plus with swing voters, and a huge plus with Hispanics. This is an issue where both major parties can work together to fix our immigration system in a way that boosts the economy, enhances security, and expands liberty. 

Frank Askin, professor of law at Rutgers University, said:

Not unless there can be a bipartisan solution. There are too many other significant issues (finance reform, energy reform, economic stimulus, Supreme Court nominee) that must take precedence and another filibuster on immigration would be devastating.

Justin Raimondo, editorial director of Antiwar.com, said:

The Democrats should push immigration “reform” if they want to further
alienate Middle America and engage in an orgy of “Republicans-are-raaaaaacist” posturing. If they want to salvage what’s left of their electoral prospects, they’ll stay away from the issue altogether. There is no upside for the Dems on this issue: they risk losing their multicultural constituency if they so much as hint they want to limit immigration, and they risk losing the middle American majority if they cave to the PC crowd. It’s a lose-lose situation.

Craig Newmark, founder of Craigslist.org, said:

We’re pretty much all immigrants, or children of them, in this country, and believe that you should treat people like you want to be treated.

Immigration reform just reflects those values.

John F. McManus, president of The John Birch Society, said:  

The Democrats will likely push for immigration reform (which means amnesty for 11-20 million) before the November election because they expect to be routed when the votes are counted this Fall.  They know that they had better attempt this now because it won’t go anywhere in the new Congress.
 
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has already announced that he will bring the topic before the Senate prior to Memorial Day.  He has written a bill that calls for amnesty and for “other purposes.”
 
But let’s not blame only Democrats for what seems for the coming attempt to reward the millions of lawbreakers.  Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) is working with Senator Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) to produce a bill that will include not only amnesty for these millions but also require an ID card for every worker – illegal immigrant or not.  It will also speed the process of getting all these illegal entrants on the voting rolls.
 
Graham, derisively labeled “Gramnesty” by irate South Carolinians, has long championed amnesty for the border crossers.  In doing so, he is allying himself with top SEIU executive Eliseo Medina who has openly stated his desire to get millions amnestied and on to the voting rolls.  He happens to be a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, the U.S. branch of the Socialist International begun by Karl Marx in the 1860s.  There’s a lot more than amnesty behind this threat.  
 
A famous example of what amnesty will do occurred when Congress passed and President Reagan signed an amnesty bill in 1986.  Proponents of the measure insisted that there would never again be a need for amnesty for illegal entrants to our country.  But the measure promptly stimulated a flood of new border crossers.  Rewarding lawbreakers has always stimulated more breaking of the law, no matter the law.
 
The important issues in the Fall elections will be the economy, the healthcare monstrosity, and yes, illegal immigration.  There will even be some Democrats opposing immigration reform as they hope to win reelection.

Damon N. Spiegel, entrepreneur and writer, said:

The Democrats should push for immigration reform to help them win the Latino vote as they’ll need anything and everything they can get their hands on to remain the majority.