TRUMP’S THREATS TO VETO IMMIGRATION BILL ADDS PRESSURE TO IMMIGRATION DEBATE
As we continue to keep a close eye on the open immigration debate underway this week, Senator Charles E. Grassley introduced the bill “Secure and Succeed Act.” A proposal that reads as if it was ghost-written by President Trump himself, which of course, he spent no time publicly supporting.
“I am asking all senators, in both parties, to support the Grassley bill and to oppose any legislation that fails to fulfill these four pillars – that includes opposing any short-term ‘Band-Aid’ approach, Trump said in a statement.
The “four pillars” Trump is referring to make it nearly impossible to garner the 60 votes it needs to pass and thus it is basically a bill executing the demands listed in the White House’s immigration framework. These include: a permanent solution for the young immigrants brought here as children, called dreamers; building the infamous border wall; introducing a merit based visa system; scrapping the diversity visa lottery and cutting out the majority of family based immigration. In particular, the last two being a show stoppers for most law makers.
As it may not come as no surprise that the initial bill presented is one that exactly mirrors the framework of the White House proposal authored by the likes of Senator Tom Cotton and White House advisor, Steven Miller—both fervent proponents of vastly cutting the current rates and sources of immigration to the US. What we should take notice of, however, is the President’s threats earlier today that he would oppose any bill that “failed to deliver for the American people.” Just last month Trump told lawmakers that he would sign any bill that Congress sends him, more unsurprising behavior for Trump which is sure to make deliberations on Capitol Hill harder.
Top immigration attorney and passionate immigrant advocate, Glenn Fogle believes in light of Trump’s recent public threats, McConnell’s end-of-week timetable for a resolve is all but a miracle as of right now.
“Trump has shown us he’s still the same Trump we can expect when faced with any form of rational immigration debate, it’s next to impossible to believe the Senate will reach any form of legislation before week’s end,” said Fogle.
“While it is no secret there will need to be some compromise if the Senate is to get 60 votes on any bill, the real obstacle still remains as to whether the President will sign off on those compromises,” stated Fogle. “I encourage Congress, as I am sure the majority of us do, not to lose sight that there is a March 5th deadline set by Trump himself that everybody should remember,” he continued, “If there is no deal made by week’s end, next week starts a weeklong recess for Congress, then it’s safe to say minus a Federal Judge’s involvement, we will increase the risk of jeopardizing the future of DACA recipients . . . .”