IMMIGRATION REFORM: TO BE OR NOT TO BE? THAT IS THE QUESTION

For many immigrants and their families the news of possible immigration reform by executive action has been bitter sweet.  Over 11 million immigrants are excited about possibly being able to come out of the shadows and openly contribute to society.  However, bitterness has set ion as the promised reform has been delayed again and again.  So the real question is:  Is immigration reform to be or not to be? 

            Earlier this year President Obama indicated that unless congress passed a comprehensive immigration reform bill by the end of the summer he would, through executive action, make some changes to the current enforcement of our immigration laws.  My previous blog, Immigration Reform 2014:  Now is the Time to Prepare, addressed the politics behind immigration reform and what it might look like, as well as its timing.  All indicators pointed to President Obama announcing his reforms by the end of summer.  Some speculated this could be in September or October but before the mid-term elections.  The reason for this was that six democratic senators up for reelection indicated to the President Obama that if the President was to pass immigration reform before the elections it would certainly defeat the senators’ reelection bid and would result in the democrats losing control of the senate.  There was some speculation that President Obama would not do anything more after this delay and instead pin the hopes of any reform on the democratic heir apparent for a Whitehouse bid, Hillary Clinton. 

            Despite broken promises to implement reforms by summer’s end, the dreams of over 11 million immigrants is still alive.  According to Fox News, just last Thursday, September 10, 2014, a message was delivered through the White House Chief of Staff, Denis McDonough, in a meeting with McDonough and the congressional Hispanic caucus concerning presidential action.  No specifics about what possible reform might look like, but McDonough made it clear the President Obama will go as afar as he can under existing law to make some immigration reforms and possibly delay deportations for possibly over 11 million immigrants. 

            The immigration attorneys at Richards, Brinley, & Richards, Law Group, are hopeful that President Obama will keep his promise to the immigrant community and their families and implement immigration reform.  When the President does, let our group of professional immigration attorneys assist you with the process.