Gang of Eight closer to major legislative immigration reform breakthrough

In the midst of partisan congressional battles on gun law and the economy, the bipartisan Gang of Eight is inching closer to a definitive solution to US immigration reform.

The four Democrat and four Republican senators have been meeting at least twice a week to thrash out a massive overhaul of the country’s immigration laws, the first with more than a chance to succeed since 1986. The fact that the eight are still together and actually making major progress is itself a minor miracle in this brutally partisan atmosphere.

The senators and their aides have made it clear that the plan is now down to the last few sticking points, spurred on by the urgency resulting from Barack Obama’s overwhelming Hispanic support during the 2012 election. The centrepoint of the plan is likely to be the new 10-15 year ‘path to citizenship’ although, to gain essential Republican support, it may become a ‘road to a green card’.

Senator Marco Rubrio is in favour of the latter, saying a ‘path to citizenship’ does not and should not exist as, to become a citizen, it must be necessary to obtain a green card first. Aides, however, aren’t’ concerned about semantics, saying that all are agreed a green card is the route and that Rubrio is only reflecting Republican voters’ concerns.

A Senate bill is expected in April, with voting taking place two or three months later. Some believe the timeline is optimistic, given the gun control and deficit reduction battles likely to continue.

Although it seems that immigration in future may focus more on economic and business needs intended to boost the economy than in the past, plenty of challenges lie ahead. Most likely to cause headaches are the US Chamber of Commerce and the powerful AFL-CIO labour organisation, keen to protect its members and their wages from overseas incursions.