Perhaps we have entered an era in American politics where immigration reform is no longer a partisan issue. Following a drubbing by Latino voters in the recent presidential election, Republicans are going to need to reach across the aisle and attempt to appeal to a growing electorate of Latino voters. Recent nationalist state immigration legislation, backed primarily by Republicans in congress, has created a rift between the GOP and a booming Latino population. This divide has caused Latino support to nosedive, from a healthy 44% in 2004 to a miniscule 27% support in 2012. Simply put, Republicans are going to need to change this concerning trajectory.
So how will the GOP reframe the immigration debate to honor party lines, while not abandoning the largest growing population in the United States? The answer is simple: Economics. As we saw in our recent presidential debate banter, the economy is the trendiest way to win political clout, while dollars and cents reasoning will continue to motivate the political right. For long term proponents of immigration reform, appeal to the economic benefit of bringing millions of potential taxpayers "out of the shadows" is neither modern nor revolutionary. While Speaker John Boehner has already endorsed bipartisan conversation regarding immigration reform, time will tell whether the GOP can mobilize some of their more hard-line critics of a comprehensive reform.
While the idea of immigration reform is thrown around often in political circles, specifics differ. 2016 Presidential hopeful, Senator Marco Rubio (R-Fla), the son of Cuban immigrants, may appeal to Latino voters by advocating for federal legislation somewhat similar to the DREAM Act, creating paths for legalized status of immigrant youth, while calling for reinforced borders and sustained militarization of our southern border. Bipartisan legislation may well be on the way, as Senators Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Chuck Schumer (D-NY) come across the aisle to discuss the federal overhaul of a broken system. Their proposition includes more readily available work-based visas, stimulating the economy by putting more professionals to practice.
Although it is a good sign that conversation has increased and we finally appear to be moving towards 21th century immigration reform, we must remain informed about our rights as citizens, lawful residents, or undocumented persons. The rhetoric sounds sympathetic to immigrants and immigrant families, but reality shows us that mass deportations are occurring with unchanged frequency. Contact the Simon Law Group for all of your immigration needs. Our experienced staff has defended the rights of countless immigrants, put families on the path to citizenship, and halted untimely deportations.
Call Houston immigration attorney Sebastian J. Simon today to discuss your case and schedule a consultation.
