Not a good time to push immigration reform.
They say that you can always count on Joe Biden to speak his mind, or to go off-script as he holds court on one issue or another. Well today in Costa Rica, the Vice-President spoke words that are sure to send a cold sweat down the back of immigrant advocates in the US. Reuters reported that he told Central American leaders that “the economic slump and soaring unemployment in the United States mean this is not a good time to push immigration reform.”
It’s difficult to tell a constituency while unemployment is rising, they’re losing their jobs and their homes, that what we should do is in fact legalize (illegal immigrants) and stop all deportation
In recent weeks, voices from the Latino community in the US, from the religious community and from immigrant advocates have arisen to press the Administration for a stop to raids carried out by ICE, and to deliver on the promise of comprehensive immigration reform. President Barack Obama met in early March with leaders of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus who reported that they were heartened by the President’s commitment to keep a campaign promise while suggesting that he needed a bit more time before putting the issue on the table.
Biden did not specifically say that the Administration was backing away from a legalization program. It remains therefore to be seen what steps they will take in the future. Stay tuned!
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