Amnesty is back – White House prompts Senate to take up issue

The White House is reporting that close door discussions have begun in anticipation of the pro-amnesty March 21 rally to be held in Washington D.C.

The President sought to bring together Senators Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) to breathe new life into the immigration issue. The House bill has lost steam in recent months as the economy continues to stall, raising jobless numbers across the country.

According to Nick Shapiro, a White House spokesman, support for an immigration bill must also include improved border security, but the president’s commitment remains "unwavering."

This news comes to the delight of Latino groups who were promised amnesty during the 2008 presidential campaign. However, the health care debate still faces uncertainty and most Democrats are squeamish about jumping into another political quagmire so close to the midterm elections.

Setting the political partisanship aside seems unlikely since Obama signaled his intent to push health care through in a reconciliation process unnerving most Republicans.

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano defended the 2011 border budget at a meeting in Washington D.C., saying the cuts do not put national security at risk.

The Border Patrol is set to cut just under 200 jobs along the nation’s borders underscoring the President’s statement that his administration would strengthen the U.S. borders before proceeding with immigration reform. Senate hearings also placed the virtual fence in the spotlight.

"This border fence issue has been a waste of billions of dollars," said Senator John McCain (R-AZ), who asked Napolitano the reason for the yet to be completed project.

"Every major deadline has not been satisfied and I am not satisfied with SBInet," Napolitano replied.

Democrats face a ton of border-protection activists if they pursue amnesty for more than 10 million illegal immigrants in a time of recession. Many Congressmen who serve near the border regions have made it clear amnesty will only add the job frustration Americans’ face.

It has been estimated by Congressman Lamar Smith of Texas that as many as seven million jobs are currently taken by illegal immigrants.

A new Rasmussen poll released found 67 percent of American voters think illegal aliens are a significant strain on the overall U.S. budget. It also pointed out that 66 percent of voters feel government benefits and services are a magnet for illegal aliens.

Once again the poll confirmed voters’ strong penchant for border control by 68 percent over legalizing illegal aliens that claims only 26 percent of Americans desire.

For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner
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