Syria Debate Bumps Immigration in Priority for Congress

Syria Debate Bumps Immigration in Priority for Congress

“Congress is likely to postpone consideration of an immigration overhaul until the end of the year, if not longer, even as advocates are preparing for an all-out, urgent push this fall to win their longstanding goal of a path to citizenship for millions of immigrants here illegally,” the New York Times writes.

“In Washington, the sudden debate over military action in Syria and a looming face-off with President Obama over the budget and the nation’s borrowing limit have shot to the top of the legislative agenda, while Republican angst about losing Hispanic voters in the 2012 presidential campaign has faded.”

“In the House, where many Republicans view an overhaul bill passed by the Senate as a federal juggernaut that is too kind to immigrant lawbreakers, the legislative summer recess has done little to stoke enthusiasm for immediate action. Senior Republican aides in the House say immigration is at the back of the line, and unlikely to come up for months.”

Immigration Debate Remains Focused on Cheap Labor

“Facebook empresario Mark Zuckerburg, whose company earned $5.1 billion in revenues in 2012 and donates to both Republicans and Democrats, has emerged as a proponent for immigration reform. ‘This is something that we believe is really important for the future of our country — and for us to do what’s right,’” he said,” writes Nathanial P. Flannery at Forbes.

Doug Oberhelman, Chairman and CEO of Caterpillar, Inc, an Illinois based company that earned $65.9 billion in revenues in 2012, has emerged as a pro-[amnesty]advocate. ‘Providing consistent, reliable access to both high-skilled and low-skilled talent is critical to sustain our nation’s global competitiveness in many industries including healthcare, technology, manufacturing, hospitality, and tourism,’ [Oberhelman said].”

Report on Who Leaked Legal Status of Obama’s Aunt

“Shortly before the 2008 presidential election, the illegal immigration status of then-candidate Barack Obama’s aunt was leaked to an Associated Press reporter. The leaker of that information did not go unidentified, a newly released investigative report shows. Under questioning, an Immigration and Customs Enforcement employee admitted telling a “rumor” to a reporter about Zeituni Onyango’s immigration status – she had been denied asylum at the time and was facing deportation,” CNN reports.

“The inquiry found the ICE employee called the reporter on October 31, 2008, only a week before the election won by Obama. The employee’s name was redacted from the report.”

Norway, Australia Vote for Immigration Reduction

“Australia’s new government-elect prepared for a tranfer of power Sunday, with policies to cut foreign aid and roll back greenhouse gas reduction measures in moves the new leaders say will help balance the nation’s books. Prime Minister-elect Tony Abbott also plans to visit Indonesia soon in part to discuss controversial plans to curb the number of asylum seekers reaching Australian shores in Indonesian fishing boats,” Al Jazeera says.

“Abbott’s new government wants to discuss with Indonesia plans to have the Australian navy turn back Indonesian fishing boats carrying asylum seekers into Australian waters. The coalition has proposed that the government buy old fishing boats from Indonesian fishermen to prevent them falling into the hands of people smugglers.”

In Norway, “Norway’s anti-immigration Progress party is likely to come to power for the first time as junior partner in a centre-right coalition, according to opinion polls about Monday’s parliamentary election . . . Under the leadership of Siv Jensen, it is poised to enter government as a junior partner in a coalition led by Erna Solberg, a Conservative who is potentially Norway’s next prime minister,” The Guardian writes.

Pew Study: Demographics Plays Role in Catholic Bishops’ Call for Amnesty

“American Catholic leaders have pledged to “pull out all the stops” in expressing support of a proposed overhaul of U.S. immigration laws, according to Kevin Appleby, director of migration policy for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. As one part of the drive, Catholic bishops and priests in major dioceses plan to preach this Sunday in favor of immigration policy changes,” says Pewresearch.org.

“Catholic leaders say the Bible’s teachings on social justice are behind their stance on immigration reform, but they also acknowledged to The New York Times that demographics are a factor. About six-in-ten U.S. Hispanics (58%) are Catholic, according to a 2012 Pew Research Center survey. By contrast, about a fifth of the general public is Catholic (22%).”