News Update - August 22, 2009
By Alan Lee, Esq.†‡
Comprehensive Immigration Reform Set for 2010, Says Obama
At a summit of the three leaders of Canada, Mexico and the United
States in Guadalajara, Mexico, on August 10, 2009, President Barack
Obama faced the reality of the difficulties of his aggressive multi-pronged
attacks on the status quo of U.S. energy, health care and the economy
as he announced that Comprehensive Immigration Reform would remain
on his agenda, but for 2010 enactment. Mr. Obama acknowledged, “I’ve
got a lot on my plate,” and expressed that there would be
challenges as “demagogues out there [will] try to suggest
that any form or pathway for legalization for those who are already
in the United States is unacceptable.”
Mr. Obama set a timetable that immigration bills will be drafted
after Congress completes work on health care, energy and financial
regulation. He expects the measures to be enacted in early 2010.
Since June 25, 2009, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano
has met regularly with lawmakers to work through a number of controversial
issues, including how to handle the 12 million illegal immigrants
already in the United States and how to prevent future illegal immigration.
In planning immigration reforms, Mr. Obama emphasized fairness
to the American people and immigrants. He said, “Ultimately,
I think the American people want fairness. And we can create a system
in which you have strong border security and an orderly process
for people to come in. But we’re also giving an opportunity
for those who are already in the United States to achieve a pathway
to citizenship so they don’t have to live in the shadows.”
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