Asked last month what Nancy Pelosi thought about the possibility for immigration reform, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi responded, "Maybe there never is a path to citizenship if you came here illegally," adding "I would hope that there could be, but maybe there isn't." Asked the same question last week, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid responded in no uncertain terms, "We've got McCain and we've got a few others. I don't expect much of a fight at all."
Pro immigrants advocates need to find new and creative ways to move the debate and discussion around immigration beyond the growing Washington consensus: combining the politically dualistic "tough and smart" policies that legalize immigrants while increasing the number and types of punitive policies that took up 700 of the 800 pages of the failed McCain-Kennedy "liberal" reform proposal
The aging of the baby boomers and the settlement and advancement of foreign-born residents – will shape our economic future. An aging society imperils three basic promises that are at the heart of America’s economic success: a secure retirement for seniors; an ample and capable workforce for employers; and a vibrant housing market for families. The infusion of new blood that immigration represents will be critical to mitigating the harmful consequences of the three perils to long-term growth and prosperity
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