Senate Republican Leader joins Democratic Senators in Support for Comprehensive Immigration Reform
by Brian Leubitz
In what has undoubtedly been a very tough day, a bit of interesting news from Senate Republican Leader Bob Huff (R-Diamond Bar). He’s joining Senator Lou Correa’s (D-Santa Ana) SJR 8 supporting comprehensive immigration reform.
“The United States has been enriched by the strength and culture of immigrants who’ve come here from all over the world, and there’s no reason to believe that’s changed,” said Senator Huff. “At every level, be it economic, social, or entrepreneurial, America benefits from immigration. The status quo is hurting our state. California cannot afford to condemn another generation to living their lives in the shadows or denying them an opportunity to be fully functioning members of our great state.”
The resolution urges Congress and the President to take action that develops a path to legal status and recognizes that immigrants are a vital part of a variety of our nation’s industries including emerging technologies, medicine, agriculture, construction and hospitality. The resolution also supports a reasonable and timely path to citizenship for immigrants already living and working in the United States, which should include comprehensive background checks, a demonstrated proficiency in English, payment of all current and back taxes, and creating an immigration policy that can respond to emerging domestic labor needs.
Not only is the resolution co-authored by Sen. Huff. He’s joined by Republican Senators Berryhill, Emmerson, Fuller, and Gaines. The resolution doesn’t go into any specifics, of course, but maybe, just maybe, we are making real progress on this critical issue of social justice.
Right !
Forget about Gov Pete ‘White Power’ Wilson and Prop. 187
From Think Progress:
… Wilson’s 1994 campaign, one which Wilson waged based on an outright demonization of illegal immigrants in an effort to boost his previously floundering re-election bid and ensure the passage of Proposition 187, an extreme anti-immigrant ballot measure…
‘…Proposition 187, which ultimately passed by an overwhelming 59 percent to 41 percent margin, was in many ways a precursor to today’s extreme anti-immigrant laws, including those in Alabama and Arizona authored by Romney adviser Kris Kobach. Its major provisions are very similar to or even more extreme than those Republicans have passed in recent years:
•Barred undocumented immigrants from the state’s education system: K-12 through higher education. Schools would also be forced to verify the legal status of not only students, but also their parents.
•Barred undocumented immigrants from receiving care at any publicly-funded health care facility.
•Barred undocumented immigrants from receiving cash assistance and other public social services in the state.
•Required all service providers to report suspected undocumented immigrants to the California Attorney General’s office and Immigration and Naturalization Service (now called Immigration and Customs Enforcement).
•Required police officers to determine the legal status of all persons who were arrested and report those suspected of being undocumented to federal authorities.
•Made the production, distribution and use of false documents felony offenses.
•Made reports on an individual’s status to the attorney general available to any other government entity.
•Prohibited local governments from limiting or failing to implement its provisions in any way.
After a lengthy court battle, Proposition 187 was ultimately declared unconstitutional in 1997 and finally killed by the administration of Governor Gray Davis (D) in 1999…’
Brought to you by your ‘friends’ in the Republican Party !!