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Immigration Amnesty: What’s Next?


Main | Amnesty In The Land of Enchantment | Amnesty’s Next Front: Small Town USA
IRCA, The First Amnesty: What It Is, Why It Matters | What’s Next in the Amnesty Debate?

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By Evan Wyloge

It seems very likely that President Obama and Congress will address immigration reform at some point during the next two years. People on all sides of the issue agree that current laws and policies are not working.

Former Clinton White House Chief of Staff Thomas “Mac” McLarty, a Democrat, and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, a Republican, recently outlined a bi-partisan immigration reform plan that includes a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants already in the United States. In their article, the pair specifically address criticisms of the 1986 IRCA law and argues that times have changed to such a degree that a new law would have vastly different results. They also argue that reform is necessary in order to help the United States continue to grow economically.

This type of plan has its opponents all along the political spectrum. Some argue that amnesty measures only encourage future illegal immigration. Some say the presence of illegal immigrants drive down wages and make jobs more scarce.

So far, Congress and Obama have moved slowly on drafting a comprehensive plan.

The Obama team has been much more focused on changes it can make through executive action — such as expanding the federal E-Verify program. The larger debate looms on the horizon.

Main | Amnesty In The Land of Enchantment | Amnesty’s Next Front: Small Town USA
IRCA, The First Amnesty: What It Is, Why It Matters | What’s Next in the Amnesty Debate?