Now that Congress passed a deal to prevent government shutdowns in the near future, immigration reform is at the top of Congress’ to-do list. The Republican governor of New Jersey, Chris Christie, just signed a bill that will allow in-state college tuition to go to immigrants who were illegally brought to the U.S. by their parents.
According to one survey, three out of five Hispanics said that it is important for the United States to give immigrants the chance to live and work in the United States – even more important that the chance to obtain citizenship.
This idea (granting immigrants a legal status without full citizenship) has been discussed in Washington for several months. According to the Washington Post, this solution is a reasonable compromise because the nation’s largest minority and largest percentage of illegal immigrants (Latinos) are in favor of the plan.
GOP Roadblocks
The Republican Party is the biggest hindrance to developing such a solution, The Washington Post said. House Republican leaders want to avoid giving privileges to undocumented immigrants without citizenship; some even believe that such a plan would basically provide amnesty to illegal aliens.
Similarly, the GOP seems to believe that offering deportation relief to 11 million immigrants would be amnesty as well, even though it would also be unreasonable to ask them to pack up and leave. Even still, some members of the Republican Party want to promote “self-deportation,” a plan that would make life miserable for undocumented immigrations and force them to leave by choice.
Other House Republicans, including leaders, understand that an exodus is unrealistic and want to seek a reasonable compromise instead.
Compromise might include deportation relief without citizenship. Democrats will probably balk at the solution, but the compromise eliminates the demand for a mass-deportation. Next year, The Washington Post claims, House Republicans will be out of excuses to avoid immigration reform.
Miami Immigration Lawyers
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