Gutierrez Outlines “Core Principles” for Forthcoming Amnesty Bill
At an October 13 Capitol rally and news conference, Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.) unveiled his “core principles” for what he calls “comprehensive immigration reform.” He signaled that these principles will constitute the core of an illegal alien amnesty bill he intends to introduce in the House of Representatives after Thanksgiving.
Much like the outline offered by his Senate counterpart, Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), Gutierrez’s plan for overhauling U.S. immigration policy begins with amnesty for those who are here illegally. From there it moves on to a call for massive increases in family- and employment-based immigration. Unlike Schumer’s outline, which at least pays lip service to the need for future immigration enforcement, Gutierrez’s plan is focused entirely on meeting the demands of would-be immigrants.
Rep. Gutierrez did not provide a timeline indicating when his legislation would be brought up in the House. The Senate amnesty bill, which Sen. Schumer had hoped to have completed by Labor Day, had still not been introduced by mid-October. President Obama and congressional leaders, however, continue to point to early 2010 as the likely time frame for a legislative attempt to enact amnesty. A key Senate supporter of amnesty, Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), insisted that immigration legislation would have to wait until Congress completes work on its health care policy bill.
The outlines presented by the expected authors of the Senate and House immigration bills, coupled with the policies pursued by the Obama administration, provide clear evidence that elected officials intend to ignore the interests of the American people as they contemplate reforming our immigration system. As we approach 2010, FAIR will once again need to mobilize the American people as we did in 2007 to protect their interests in this important debate about the future of our country. FAIR is firmly committed to opposing any legislation that includes amnesty for illegal aliens and increases to already excessive levels of immigration, and will use all of our resources to make sure the voices of the American people are heard.
