Yesterday was a travel day for me so I didn't get to hear a lot of the hearing until late in the evening. I don't think we heard much we haven't heard before, but a couple of quick observations.
The first panel sounded like a new day in the House. Lots of general agreement on the benefits of immigration. And the debate was more about HOW we legalize people rather than IF we do. A path to citizenship or just some type of lesser status? Piecemeal reform or comprehensive. But the second panel was what we've come to expect. FAIR's think tank, the Center for Immigration Studies, had a spot at the table as did Chris Crain, an ICE union chief who opposes legalization and generally thinks DACA is just a vehicle for fraud.
In terms of tone, I was a little encouraged that the two most important Republicans in the room - Reps. Goodlatte and Gowdy who chair the Judiciary Committee and the Immigration Subscommittee. Both seemed to be trying to be interested in talking about the value of immigration while balancing the rule of law. Both seemed open to hearing a discuss of a variety of options rather than falling back on the old talking points (a few others in the hearing didn't seem to have a problem doing that).
It was nice seeing my friends Vivek Wadhwa and Puneet Arora testify and both spoke eloquently on the need for skilled immigration and the litany of problems with the current system. And I'm glad each made a point of talking about the need to address our problems comprehensively rather than selling out people who would benefit from other parts of a reform bill.
C-Span has the hearing on their web site here.
What did those of you who watched the hearing think?
Racists at FAIR, CIS and Numbers USA will oppose all non-white immigration...that is their goal! In fact, they would like to stop the non-white spouses of US citizens...ICE Chief probably believes this too!
Posted by: George Chell | February 08, 2013 at 05:41 AM
"JACK NEEDS TO FIND JILL AND GO UP THE HILL HAHAHAHA"
NO! JACK FOUND A RACIST JILL
THEY TRIED TO GUT THE BILL
WITH A PAIL OF COLD WATER!!
BUT JACK FELL DOWN AND BROKE HIS CROWN
AND THE RACIST JILL CAME TUMBLING AFTER!!!
HEHEHE!!
Posted by: George Chell | February 08, 2013 at 05:39 AM
If it's just a question of allowing people who want to make an honest living here even if they are unskilled, then why should it be people from mostly one country? There are millions of unskilled people in Asia and Africa and even South America who would love the opportunity and are willing to work equally hard. This is not about what is good public policy or about having sympathy. Most countries in Asia and Africa are way poor than Mexico. Let's call it what it really is - Hispanic voters now have enough clout to affect elections and they will use it to get what they want. For the last 30 years the bottom 20-40% of American workers (mostly unskilled and less educated) have suffered the most due to globalization and automation (to a lesser extent, immigration of unskilled workers, both legal and illegal). Unemployment in this category has been significantly higher than college educated workers since the 2001 recession and is expected to remain this way even as the recovery crawls along. Yet, people keep going back to some outdated studies and some 2006-2007 CIR related testimonies to keep pushing for guest worker programs for more unskilled workers.
Posted by: Sid | February 07, 2013 at 12:08 PM
JACK NEEDS TO FIND JILL AND GO UP THE HILL HAHAHAHA
Posted by: CIR2013 | February 07, 2013 at 09:47 AM
Jack it is so easy to sit in your AC cabin and malign people working in fields and intense heat/cold. Don't be an armchair expert and atleast not the mean one. Have some sympathy towards these people. They are here to make honest living and provide service to the country. Their kids join military and serve the nation. Most of all they are here to fulfill the needs of the country. In return all they are asking is human dignity and be able to live their life peacefully while chasing the American dream.
ICE should focus all its efforts on keeping criminals away. Once they are done chasing all the criminals and still have budget left, they can go after grandmas. But until then Americans should get most bang for their buck by going after criminals and keeping them off of streets.
Posted by: voteCIR | February 07, 2013 at 08:03 AM
Jack, for all his lofty words, Bentivoliop he will never do anything to let people who want to become Americans in. Lawbreaking or not, but someone who walked three days in the desert to take a back-breaking job deserves to be an American more than you or me.
Posted by: Legal and no longer waiting | February 07, 2013 at 07:40 AM
Amongst the sellouts, at least one politician is taking a principled stand:
“What you’re seeing here is a shameless political ploy to buy new voters. Democrats want the votes and Republicans the cheap labor … unfortunately the status quo will be maintained,” Bentivolio writes in the fundraising email. “Immigration reform shouldn’t be about buying off lawbreakers so they’ll consider becoming Republican. It’s about letting in people who want to become Americans and obey American laws. What kind of country will we be if we reward people for breaking the law?”[...]
Posted by: Jack | February 06, 2013 at 05:27 PM
AWESOME!! NOW WE NEED DA BILL THROUGH GO OBAMACIR2013
Posted by: CIR2013 | February 06, 2013 at 04:27 PM