The latest example is the near-unanimous opposition
by Senate Republicans to the DREAM Act, a measure that provides a way
for some illegal immigrants who arrived in the U.S. as children to
become citizens.
The bill once was seen as a bipartisan initiative that offered the
The party’s once solicitous outreach to Latino
voters has been all but drowned out by a powerful grass-roots movement
incensed over illegal immigration.
Republicans logged victories in last month’s midterm
elections, relying on support from their core voters and disaffected
independents. But the
“The longer the
to be the party that is adamantly against the most important issues to
the Latino community, the more they threaten any long-term attempts to
create a political party that includes Latinos,” said
Republicans say they are simply listening to voters on the issue.
They point to the victories of several prominent Republican Latinos in last month’s elections — including Sen.-elect
“There’s no way I can go to the people in
The bill now hangs in limbo in the
Republican senators who voted for the DREAM Act just
three years ago have changed their positions. Others have avoided
taking a stance, saying tax and spending issues were more important to
them at the moment.
Sen.
co-authored the DREAM Act nearly 10 years ago, but has turned against
it. “Times have changed. Our nation’s unemployment rate is almost 10
percent, so Sen. Hatch believes the focus needs to be on righting our
economic ship,” said
Hatch’s cautious critique reveals the delicate
balance some Republicans are trying to strike. Hatch is among elected
officials now facing pressure from grass-roots groups unhappy with the
But Republicans must also be wary of backlash from a group that will be critical the party’s future, particularly in the West.
Nearly 40 percent of all Latinos in the U.S. are
immigrants and a vast majority of Latino voters — 85 percent, according
to a recent poll by the Pew Hispanic Center — support creation of a
pathway to citizenship for immigrants living in the country illegally.
That’s left many Republicans searching for a middle position. In
lashed out at the way Democrats sought to bring the DREAM Act to a
vote. Other Republicans dismissed the effort as Reid’s attempt to
reward a constituency key to his surprise victory last month.
Outside of
hopefuls and party leaders are exploring other ways to emphasize issues
that resonate with Latinos — social issues, security and jobs.
Still, there are few Republicans advertising their support for the type of immigration revisions reform that won 22
In 2004, President
Since then, anti-immigration fervor has risen with
an increase of violence near the border and an economic downturn
persisting. Fewer politicians of either party are eager to pass a bill
that critics cast as spurring competition for jobs and favoring illegal
immigrants. In the House last week, 38 Democrats voted against the
bill, which passed 216-198. Eight Republicans voted in favor.
The DREAM Act would set a path to citizenship for
college students and military service members who came to the U.S.
before age 16 and have lived in the country for five years. Estimates
say that after 10 years, roughly 1.2 million immigrants would take
advantage.
Democrats are planning to make it difficult for Latinos to forget how far the
pushed last week for passage of the DREAM Act. Later, a senior
administration official, who requested anonymity because of the
sensitivity of the political discussions, noted: “This is clearly a
vote that will be remembered.”
Democrats highlight comments like those by Sen.
one of the bill’s most vocal opponents, who worried the bill would
allow “drunk drivers, gang members, even those who commit certain
sexual offenses” to gain citizenship.
The Republican takeover of the House is certain to
further shift the legislative debate from legal status for illegal
immigrants to a border-security-first approach. Many Republicans favor
a fresh look at the constitutional definition of citizenship,
challenging the provision that grants citizenship to anyone born in the
U.S.
Rep.
Smith said he favors “worksite enforcement efforts” and would oppose efforts to establish “amnesty” for illegal immigrants.
Perhaps signaling the tone of the committee’s new
direction, seven Republican senators on the committee recently sent a
letter asking the
Reform advocates say they see little action until
after the political climate passes. And moderate Republicans inclined
toward immigration reform are also waiting and watching.
“They’re hoping this blows over after 2012,” Regalado said.
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(c) 2010, Tribune Co.
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.
