Storm brews as Barack Obama embarks on pledge to grant citizenship to illegal immigra

[darrels joy]

Storm brews as Barack Obama embarks on pledge to grant citizenship to illegal immigrants

White House set to take on Republicans and union-backed (BS) Democrats to create 'orderly' immigration system.

• Mark Tran
• guardian.co.uk, Thursday 9 April 2009 13.05 BST

Barack Obama plans to grant citizenship to millions of illegal immigrants in an overhaul of US immigration policy, trying to succeed where George Bush failed, according to a report today.

The US president will broach the contentious issue next month, bringing congressional Democrats and Republicans together over the summer to discuss possible legislation for the autumn, the New York Times reported.

Obama will present his drive as "policy reform that controls immigration and makes it an orderly system", the paper quoted Cecilia Munoz, deputy assistant to the president and director of intergovernmental affairs in the White House, as saying. Obama has identified energy and healthcare reform as his legislative priorities.

The timetable for immigration reform backs pledges made to Hispanic groups in the presidential campaign that immigration reform, including a plan to make legal status possible for an estimated 12 million illegal immigrants, would be a priority in his first year. Hispanic voters turned out strongly for Obama at the election.

As a senator, Obama backed immigration reform proposed by George Bush that sought tougher border controls and a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants. Republicans, however, refused to back Bush and killed the plan in 2007.

Any plan to afford eventual citizenship to illegal immigrants – especially at a time of high unemployment – can expect loud opposition from Republicans and some Democrats, backed by trade unions.

Roy Beck, executive director of NumbersUSA, a group that wants to cut immigration, told the New York Times: "It just doesn't seem rational that any political leader would say, 'Let's give millions of foreign workers permanent access to US jobs when we have millions of Americans looking for jobs.'"

Beck predicted that Obama would face "an explosion" if he went ahead this year.

Administration officials said Obama's plan would not add new workers to the US workforce but serves only to recognise the millions of illegal immigrants already working there.


guardian.co.uk © Guardian News and Media Limited 2009

[reconeil]

Thanks for bringing up latest: "His Barackness" (as Brits either adoringly(?) or cynically(?) called President Obama recently) royally omnipotent lord-like intent. You got me to do another little www.wowcopy.com doodle or short commentary. Such will be titled: "Political Dictates...".

Neil