Sen. Robert Menendez introduced a bill today which will allow the families of active duty military service members to gain legal status. If passed, this bill will allow our soldiers who are putting their lives on the line for ALL of US to not worry about their own flesh and blood, who happen to be undocumented, being deported."I just can't believe that you can risk your life for America, and America can't let you stay united with your family," the New Jersey Humanitarian Democrat said at a press conference. "It seems to me that's more than a fair trade-off."
The Military Families Act, which so far has zero (hatefilled) Republican supporters, will grant legal permanent residence to the immediate family members of the brave and courageous military men and women in active duty. Like the DREAM Act, a bill that would grant legal status to immigrants who entered the United States as children if they go to college or join the military, the idea is to narrow the pool of undocumented beneficiaries to the most sympathetic few, in hopes that the hate-filled, anti-Latino GOP will not decry the bill as their so-called "amnesty."
Menendez already has support in the upper chamber from pro-immigration reform Democrats Harry Reid (Nev.), Dick Durbin (Ill.), Patrick Leahy (Vt.), Daniel Akaka (Hawaii), Michael Bennet (Colo.) and New Yorkers Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand. He is also circulating the bill to other senators.
Menendez acknowledged the passage of this bill will be a steep uphill climb for Humanitarian and Patriotic immigrant-friendly legislation in this Congress, which so far has done NOTHING to support resolving our broken Immigration issues. The Democrats in Congress have done next to nothing in resolving these issues -- during and since the lame-duck session. During the lame duck session, when the Dems had the majority, the DREAM Act was filibustered in a 55-41 vote. It FAILED because five Hate filled Democrats broke with the rest of the Dems to vote against this Humanitarian bill. (shameful!)
But Menendez asked some legislators on the other side of the aisle to consider supporting this Patriotic and Humanitarian bill because it would benefit OUR Troops. "I am hopeful that we will get some of our Republican colleagues," he said. "It's very limited in scope, it's about OUR Military Men and Women."
Senator Menendez added the bill will help with recruiting because people will see it as a way to "serve my country and also save their family." Menendez said his legislation will benefit America! Menendez said the bill could be paired with border enforcement provisions to make it more palatable for Senate Republicans, most of whom hatefully argue "no amnesty." Senate Democrats may use a similar strategy with the recently reintroduced DREAM Act, which the very Patriotic and Humanitarian Sen. Menendez also supports. He added, "If Republicas decide to be reasonable in that respect -- and it brings an opportunity for the DREAM Act -- it will be a very positive opportunity for America, and we'll be supporting our Military Families."
Texas : "Nada, Nada" in anti-immigration legislation - Governor Rick Perry might be the one who needs political sanctuary, after so much anti-Latino Demagoguery and no fruits in laws - Go Conservatives !... Go ! ....
ReplyDelete.
Texas has a super majority GOP, but it seems that the Governor did not push for legislation with the same strength of his Political Campaign for Governor. And this guy wants to be President of the United States of America !
Being Governor is very different to being in Political Campaign : Before elections you pander to Super Conservatives, Right Wingnuts, Tea Party, Racists, etc .... After you win the Governorship you have to be more careful with Business, Communities, Organizations, Police Chiefs opposed to the extremist measures, etc .... that want to avoid the fate of Arizona.
Dallas Morning News
Illegal immigration bills had tough time in Texas Legislature
By CHRISTY HOPPE
May 28, 2011 11:27 PM
http://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/texas-legislature/headlines/20110528-illegal-immigration-bills-had-tough-time-in-texas-legislature.ece
"AUSTIN — This was going to be the illegal immigration session, with a GOP supermajority in the Legislature, tea party vigor, the backing of a powerful governor and a slew of get-tough ideas that picked up where Arizona left off.
No safe harbors, no easy employment, no citizenship for children"
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From New York Times
In Texas, Budget Held Sway for 20 Weeks
By The Texas Tribune
By Julian Aguilar
May 28, 2011
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/29/us/29ttsessionweb.html?_r=1&ref=texas
Immigration
It was supposed to be the session of birther bills, criminalizing an illegal immigrant’s presence in the state (as opposed to being only a federal civil violation), limiting an illegal immigrant’s access to courts, mandating electronic employment verification and even stripping babies born in Texas to illegal immigrants of their birthright citizenship. But the 82nd Legislature, as a whole, did not have the stomach for the most draconian proposals.
Even the so-called “sanctuary cities” legislation, which some called “Arizona lite,” failed to make much headway. (It would have prohibited communities from adopting policies that would prevent law enforcement officers from inquiring about the immigration status of people detained or arrested.) It did not pass the Senate after Democrats, 12 in all, voted against bringing up the bill for a floor debate.
Some immigration measures are on their way to the governor’s desk, including a bill that would allow counties to adopt stricter rules for legal immigrants who apply for indigent health care. And it is possible that some of the tougher proposals may yet be resurrected in the final hours of the session.
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