While Scandals Grow, Immigration Bill Coasts Under Radar

[Geee]

PJMedia:

WASHINGTON – While the debate over immigration reform appears to have taken a backseat in the public’s consciousness with the number of White House controversies suddenly swirling around, it hasn’t escaped the attention of congressional conservatives who aim to kill it.

The Senate Judiciary Committee has completed two mark-up sessions on the Border Security, Economic Opportunity and Immigration Modernization Act with a third scheduled for Thursday. The panel thus far has considered 67 of the more than 300 amendments offered without altering or changing its basic thrust – requiring undocumented workers to seek provisional legal status that allows them to work and an opportunity to apply for permanent residency after 10 years.

 

That lack of change doesn’t sit well with Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.), a panel member and an outspoken opponent of the legislation pieced together by a bipartisan group known as the Gang of Eight. Sessions declared he has no doubt that once they become aware of the scope of the legislation, “Americans’ opposition to the legislation will rise and that they will call on their lawmakers to do the same.”

“Americans believe in immigration but they believe in a reasonable flow of immigration that promotes assimilation and improved economic opportunity for both immigrants and citizens alike,” Sessions said. “It is perhaps the single issue in which both parties are most out of step with the people.”