Rep. Honda: Diverse voices should reform immigration

Rep. Mike Honda is pushing the White House to
include Asian Pacific voices as the president prepares to unveil his
immigration reform agenda later this year.

Honda (D-Calif.) and Rep. Luis Gutierrez kicked off a 20-city national tour in
San Jose, Calif., on Saturday that includes prayer vigils and town hall meetings
aimed at documenting immigrant testimonies.

{mosads}In an interview with The Hill on Friday, Honda, chairman of the Congressional
Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), said that his goal is “to not be
perceived as nonplayers,” but so far the White House has not granted the
congressman an audience with the president to discuss the issue.

“I’m patient, but I’d like to hear some response,” Honda said, adding
that he will be “diplomatically persistent.”

Honda said he will “crank up the engine and be a little more
persuasive” after recess.

The congressman said he does think President Obama understands the need to
include the Asian Pacific community, pointing to the Asian-Americans the
president tapped to be in his cabinet, but he said “we need to articulate
that to him again.”

Honda said he is optimistic that Congress will be able to pass some form of
Obama’s plan despite the bitter acrimony and ultimate failure that haunted
President George W. Bush’s immigration proposals.

“We’ve got four-wheel drive in place right now,” Honda said. “So
we should be able to get up the hill.”