Jan 25 - Obama To Make Major Immigration Moves Next Week

WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama announced after a meeting with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus on Friday that he will lay out some of his plans for immigration reform on Tuesday in Las Vegas.

Members of the caucus who were present at the meeting said Obama[..]ured them that he shares the group's basic beliefs about immigration reform, most notably that making a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants -- which some Republicans oppose -- is an absolute must as they push for legislation.

"The President was pleased to hear from CHC members and noted that they share the same vision, including that any legislation must include a path to earned citizenship," the administration in a statement. "The President further noted that there is no excuse for stalling or delay."

Seven members of Congress were present at the meeting, including Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chairman Ruben Hinojosa (D-Texas), Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), Immigration Task Force Chairman Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.) and Chairman of the Democratic Caucus Xavier Becerra (D-Calif.).

The members of the caucus said in statements after the meeting that they laid out their principles and were told by the White House that the ideas align with the administration's planned policies.

"[W]e have made it crystal clear that any bill that does not include a pathway to earned citizenship will not have our support," Hinjosa said. "In the next few weeks and months, the CHC will remain committed to CIR and dedicate all our efforts to ensure legislation will make it to President Obama's desk."

The[..]ociated Press reported that the White House will launch an effort on immigration next week, as will a bipartisan group of senators, likely the so-called "gang of eight" -- four Republicans, four Democrats -- who have already begun to work toward a deal.

A pathway to citizenship for the estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants already in the United States is considered a non-negotiable for many Democrats and immigrant advocates, who argue anything else would result in a huge group of second-class residents. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) said Wednesday that advocates for a pathway to citizenship will have to cave and accept temporary status instead, with no special road to citizenship.

Meanwhile, senators plan to move ahead on other piecemeal immigration bills. The Hill reported Friday that Sens. Orrin Hatch of Utah and Marco Rubio of Florida are teaming up with Democratic Sens. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota and Chris Coons of Delaware to introduce a bill next week that focuses on visas for high-skilled workers.

Obama administration officials have said they believe piece-by-piece reform would be less productive, but Hatch told The Hill he thinks his bill could aid in the broader legislative effort.

"I think we need to break the ice and let people know that this is the art of the doable ... at least I think it's very doable, and I think everybody ought to come on [to support it] because it makes sense and it's a bipartisan bill already," he said. "If we put that through that says to them, well maybe we can do more and if we can do more, I'm going to be right there helping."

SO wait why is a discussion about national immigration reform only concerning people from the Congressional Hispanic Caucus?

We only got Hispanic immigrants now or what? I'll bet they aren't talking about any Haitian immigrants, Asian immigrants, Canadian immigrants. [pic]

stupid PR bull!! news.

Hispanics are a main concern because most illegal immigrants are Hispanic, mainly due to our border with Mexico. 75% of illegal immigrants came from Hispanic countries, 61% coming from Mexico.

Immigration Reform is mostly about a path to citizenship for those here illegally.

I feel ya. And I know the majority of immigration discussions are around illegal Hispanic immigrants.

I just feel like if they are going to be making these sweeping immigration reforms for all immigrants, there should be more people in there than just Obama and the CHC.

I wonder if part of the "path to citizenship" will include archiving of fingerprints and DNA samples [pic]

or enrolling in the military...

[pic]

didn't even think of that.

Then they would have troops that are far removed from the American way of life and might not be as reluctant to confiscate weapons from citizens as our current troops are?

[pic] a huge percentage of those are over 26, they're not getting into the military. Kats can't serve with diabetes, check the rate amongst hispanics.

was never in the military but haven't the requirements and restrictions been laxed more over the last 10yrs or so?

No amnesty for illegal aliens and illegal alien criminals!

[pic]

didn't even think of that.

Then they would have troops that are far removed from the American way of life and might not be as reluctant to confiscate weapons from citizens as our current troops are?

already starting to happen man..

I've seen too many hispanic dudes in the military speaking in Spanish to each other IN UNIFORM. nicca how you gon' have an American flag on ya arm and be talkin' in Spanish? [pic]