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‘Positive Gesture’: House to Consider Limited GOP Immigration Bill

Nov. 23, 2012 12:45pm

WASHINGTON (AP) — House Republicans still smarting from their poor showing among Hispanics in the presidential election are planning a vote next week on immigration legislation that would both expand visas for foreign science and technology students and make it easier for those with green cards to bring their immediate families to the U.S.

Republican leaders made it clear after the election that the party was ready to get serious about overhauling the nation’s dysfunctional immigration system, a top priority for Hispanic communities. Taking up what is called the STEM Jobs Act during the lame-duck session could be seen as a first step in that direction.

The House voted on a STEM bill — standing for science, technology, engineering and mathematics — in September, but under a procedure requiring a two-thirds majority. It was defeated, with more than 80 percent of Democrats voting against it, because it offset the increase in visas for high-tech graduates by eliminating another visa program that is available for less-educated foreigners, many from Africa.

Republicans are changing the formula this time by adding a provision long sought by some immigration advocates — expanding a program that allows the spouses and minor children of people with permanent residence, or green card, to wait in the United States for their own green cards to be granted.

There are some 80,000 of these family-based green cards allocated every year, but there are currently about 322,000 husbands, wives and children waiting in this category and on average people must wait more than two years to be reunited with their families. In that past that wait could be as long as six years.

The House proposal would allow family members to come to the U.S. one year after they apply for their green cards, but they wouldn’t be able to work until they actually got the card. It applies to the families of green card holders who marry after getting their residency permits.

Bruce Morrison, a former Democratic congressman from Connecticut who chaired the House immigration subcommittee and authored a 1990 immigration law, said the bill neither increases the number of green cards nor gives people green cards early. But people “get the most important benefit of being able to live legally in the United States with their spouses.”

Morrison, an immigration policy lobbyist who advocates for groups such as American Families United, called the bill a stepping-stone to more comprehensive immigration reform, That Republicans initiated it “to me is a positive gesture that they want to do business on this subject,” he said

Megan Whittemore, spokeswoman for House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va., a key proponent of the STEM Act, said the bill is “family friendly, helping spouses and minor children who would otherwise be separated from their families for extended periods of time.”

​Note: Here is video of Cantor’s remarks on the STEM Act from earlier this year:

The bill will be taken up this time under normal procedures requiring only a majority vote, and it is almost certain to pass the Republican-led House. It remains to be seen whether it will engender enough Democratic support to give it momentum as it heads to the Democratic-controlled Senate.

It would give 55,000 green cards a year to doctoral and masters graduates in the STEM fields. The measure, strongly backed by U.S. high-tech companies, would make it easier for people trained in the United States to put their skills to work for American companies rather than non-American competitors.

But the legislation would still eliminate the Diversity Visa Lottery Program which gives out a similar 55,000 green cards a year to those from countries, including many in Africa, with traditionally low rates of immigration to the U.S. That prompted the House’s Hispanic Caucus, Congressional Black Caucus and Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus to all come out against it in September.

​Note: Here is video of Rep. Darrell Issa talking about the STEM Act back in September:

The three caucuses said Republicans were trying to increase legal immigration for people they want by ending immigration for people they don’t want.

Crystal Williams, executive director of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, said the bill is a message from Republicans that “we are here and we are ready to talk about immigration reform.”

But she said she doubted it will make much progress in the Senate during the short lame-duck session. People “are now starting to think about broader reform,” she said, adding that a limited bill that doesn’t increase visas won’t get a lot of support.

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Comments (120)

1 2 3
  • bcope01
    Posted on November 23, 2012 at 3:35pm

    Republicans making a huge mistake with immigration and potential candidates in 2016. America is finished with the Bushes. Quit pandering. That is what Democrats do. Conservatives need a party of their own.

    Report this comment

    bcope01  
  • From Virginia
    Posted on November 23, 2012 at 3:19pm

    Agreed! They are a cultural match for us and don’t have to do much to assimilate.

    We don’t need NEW immagration laws – we need to enforce the ones we have on the books. And seal that damned border!

    Report this comment

    From Virginia  
  • SocialistSlayer
    Posted on November 23, 2012 at 3:17pm

    Eric Cantor is a Communist !

    Report this comment

    SocialistSlayer  
  • Jezcruzen
    Posted on November 23, 2012 at 3:03pm

    The biggest problem with immigration is that immigration allows people from somewhere else to come here and live. *tongue in cheek* Seriously, though, we allow in too many who cannot support themselves and/or have skills the country needs. OTOH, illegal immigrating is a cancer and should be stopped!
    I think what we are seeing is a GOP who is turning its back on traditional conservative values and in effect groveling in order to win elections. They are becoming Democrat Light while openly spurning the Tea Party. Big, big, mistake!

    Report this comment

    Jezcruzen  
    • soybomb315_II
      Posted on November 23, 2012 at 3:52pm

      are you talking about legal immigration or illegal immigration? Every legal immigrant i know works harder than their US-citizen counterparts

      Report this comment

      soybomb315_II  
    • Classical Liberal
      Posted on November 24, 2012 at 2:16pm

      Soy, we don’t need anymore immigration period. There are plenty of able bodied workers for blue collar skilled and unskilled jobs right here born in the US! Cut the welfare state and people will go back to work.

      As for college educated jobs like doctors and engineers, stop all green carding immediately! I know to many young engineers coming out of school who can’t find work!

      The reason they can’t find work is because corporations are importing engineers from china and India to work for pennies! They are even building and funding hospitals and schools in the easy to train them! Big business and the Government are working together against us!

      US CITIZENS are being cut out of the equation!

      Report this comment

      Classical Liberal  
    • Walkabout
      Posted on November 24, 2012 at 5:06pm

      We don’t need a “Diversity Visa Lottery Program”. People blend naturally by choice just by being in proximity to each other. It is not at a rate that social engineers & other progressives would demand, but it is natural & it is without force. So it does not cause near as much resentment.

      In 2003 there were American soldiers more than ready to marry Iraqi women. who were Muslim. The top brass would not allow it. Soldiers stationed in Africa would marry women from sub-Sahardan Africa at the drop of a hat. In one case I read, it didn’t happen because the parents did not approve; the American soldier was not Muslim. But note, a very white American guy was more than willing to marry an African woman, who was blacker than any African-American.

      Point is that if we had bases in Africa like we do in Europe or Asia we would have many intermarriages (It would show the lefts charges of racism for the lie it is). It would all come about naturally. It wouldn’t be artificial & it wouldn’t be forced. Some people wouldn’t like it but life would go on. Many of the people who wouldn’t like it would at 1st cope with it & then get along better than all the bleeding heart ******** that espouse it.

      The biggest problem is not the KKK or the Neo Nazis.

      The biggest problem is the liberals that try to force diversity on some sort of schedule or by some sort of quota.

      We don’t need a “Diversity Visa Lottery Program”.

      Report this comment

      Walkabout  
  • thegreatcarnac
    Posted on November 23, 2012 at 2:59pm

    Agreed!

    Report this comment

    thegreatcarnac  
  • soybomb315_II
    Posted on November 23, 2012 at 2:41pm

    i do think we need more legal immigrants but i hate when things are done purely for political reasons

    Report this comment

    soybomb315_II  
    • longknifed
      Posted on November 23, 2012 at 2:54pm

      Probably one of the rare times I disagree with you. We have too many immigrants as it is. It’s a new phenomenon because now people want dual citizenship. I wonder if Israel and America went to war, which side Kissinger, Kristol and Savage would side with?

      Before this welfare state came into existence, nobody in their right mind would immigrate to America because they actually had to work for a living. We can thank the 14th amendment for this problem.

      Report this comment

      longknifed  
    • soybomb315_II
      Posted on November 23, 2012 at 3:49pm

      no problem. immigration is not welfare and as far as i know, non-citizens do not qualify for foodstamps, unemployment, etc.

      You’re cool with me so we can have a good discussion on this. I always harken back to the old way….And in the old days, immigrants came here in masses. Creation of the welfare state is unfortunate – but i dont think we should restrict immigration because of it. It seems to me that immigrants come here to work, not take benefits. Perhaps our country will be better in the long run if we increase the stock of real workers via immigration…..

      Report this comment

      soybomb315_II  
    • soybomb315_II
      Posted on November 23, 2012 at 3:50pm

      of course we are talking about legal immigration…..illegal immigration should be stopped immediately

      Report this comment

      soybomb315_II  
    • blanco5
      Posted on November 23, 2012 at 3:57pm

      Soy—let’s take away all of the free goodies and then allow immigration. I wonder if they would be coming in droves anymore.

      Report this comment

      blanco5  
    • longknifed
      Posted on November 24, 2012 at 1:11am

      My friend,
      “immigration” evolved or devolved like everything else American. This country was founded by real immigrants who fought harsh conditions, which branded them with “Americanism.” That is long gone. In 1912, Italians were the Mexicans because hordes and hordes of them would kill themselves in factories to earn breadcrumbs for their families…but back to the old country. They would work here TEMPORARILY and expropriate OUR specie back there too…NOT Americanism – 200k emigrated back that year.

      I’ve worked indirectly with Illegal aliens. Honestly, I got along better with them than I did with my fellow citizens, despite not even speaking the same language…but it isn’t personal. They were criminals in their own country. Their wives live on 3 forms of welfare birthing out anchor babies, don’t pay taxes and live outside the law. They never had it so good. I work dangerous jobs that even they won’t do.

      The 1924 Immigration Act put an end to it, but was repealed in 1965…leading to this inevitable hellhole. It put such severe, vetting restrictions on immigrations to only healthy, Northern Europeans.

      Report this comment

      longknifed  
  • labec
    Posted on November 23, 2012 at 2:34pm

    To your own detriment. Talk about how Illegal and Lawless it is for the President to aid, abet, harbor
    welfare, employ, educate, and medicate Illegals using US TAXES and funding his votes on Tax
    Payers’ MONEY.

    Report this comment

    labec  
    • Live2BeFree
      Posted on November 23, 2012 at 4:49pm

      couldn’t have said it better myself!! Before you were able to immigrate to the US you had to PROVE you had a way to support yourself and would not be a burden on society…now no problem…MOST of them come here with no money and no way to care for themselves and WE pay for them.

      Report this comment

      Live2BeFree  
  • progressiveslayer
    Posted on November 23, 2012 at 2:18pm

    Libs win elections and they want the republicans to compromise,the republicans win elections and the libs want the republicans to compromise.See a pattern here? Progressives on both sides of the aisle want open borders it’s clear so I say to hell with it open the flood gates and let’s get this party started.
    A total economic collapse is happening no matter what the pigs in DC feeding at the trough do anyway so let’s get on with it. The sooner it collapses the better so we can rid our society of the parasites that are destroying it,they won’t last a year and we all know it so what are you waiting for bring it.

    Report this comment

    progressiveslayer  
  • BenFrank1791
    Posted on November 23, 2012 at 2:14pm

    57- percent of Mexicans are on Welfare, do you think they are going to vote Republican. Look at Chicago handing out Drivers licenses to illegals. Hey maybe the GOP and the Democats can have a contest to see how much free stuff they can hand out (your tax dollars at work)

    Report this comment

    BenFrank1791  
  • mauna
    Posted on November 23, 2012 at 2:04pm

    Republicans think they have to give illegals green cards in order to get their vote. That won’t get their vote. Mitt Romney is one quarter mexican, yet they did not even vote for one of their own. The Repubicans are good at turning against their own party members i.e. Sarah Palin, Mitt Romney, and now, they are going against their party members again with this bill to bring more illegals into our country. They have their own little “country club”, and they think they know everything.

    Report this comment

    mauna  
    • hi
      Posted on November 23, 2012 at 2:12pm

      I agree. Republicans freed the slaves but they vote for Democrats.

      Report this comment

      hi  
    • longknifed
      Posted on November 23, 2012 at 2:29pm

      Romney is not Mexican. His antecedents crossed the border to skirt polygamy laws. But yes, you are correct about minority voting patterns. If Christopher Columbus ran as a Democrat they would vote for him.

      Report this comment

      longknifed  
    • soybomb315_II
      Posted on November 23, 2012 at 3:59pm

      well if repbulican party was honest and capable of having real solutions – they wouldnt have to become like the democrats to win elections…

      Ron Paul was supported by the lower income americans – but oh well

      Report this comment

      soybomb315_II  
    • Marine25
      Posted on November 23, 2012 at 6:09pm

      Liberal Republicans freed the slaves. They were run out of the party a long time ago.

      Report this comment

      Marine25  
  • fedlibertarian
    Posted on November 23, 2012 at 1:45pm

    So now we need to increase immigration, according to the Marxists. We don’t have enough uneducated government dependent democrat voters, let’s bring Africa and South America over; we can just borrow more from China. Why are people on any form of government assistance allowed to vote??

    Report this comment

    fedlibertarian  
  • longknifed
    Posted on November 23, 2012 at 1:43pm

    This is what the Israel-first neocons wanted all along. Is it any surprise how quickly they caved in…to the democrats post-election, but not the libertarians before it? Their goal is to make the Republican platform mirror the Democrat platform as much as possible, with foreign interventionism as the most important issue.

    Their homeland must be protected at all costs…what better way by uniting both parties behind bipartisan socialism, cultural marxism and military-industrial adventurism?

    http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/michele-bachmann-neocon_525855.htmlhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0JY-Knd7jc
    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/23/bill-kristol-gun-control-aurora-shooting_n_1694537.html
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSHP8XMt_ts
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WcYy0I5xzQ

    Report this comment

    longknifed  
  • Delores at CH WV
    Posted on November 23, 2012 at 1:43pm

    Close the boarder. How about giving a green card to those who have been waiting for years to get one in other foreign countries?

    I think the southern hemisphere should wait until other countries get their chance to be an American. The southern hemisphere has pushed their way into the country for years. Obama talks about fair and equal; however, his immigration policies do not show fair and equal treatment.

    We should cap off the southern hemisphere until other countries are recognized.

    If you want to become an American, you should swear to become an American and not just an occupier. We have one flag, one pledge, and one Constitution. If you violate these principles during your citizenship training; then, you will sent home where your loyalty lies.

    Report this comment

    Delores at CH WV  
    • Marine25
      Posted on November 23, 2012 at 6:03pm

      You do know that Mexico is in the NORTHERN hemisphere, right? You do know that only 6% of immigrants come from the southern hemisphere, right? Australians leads the way on that one. So, what’s your problem with Autralians?

      Report this comment

      Marine25  
    • Fubared
      Posted on November 23, 2012 at 6:55pm

      25 sounds like he would be very afraid to guard a border. What is up with the fear 25? You do realize nobody thinks you were a marine. Maritime, sure.

      Report this comment

      Fubared  
  • PIGSWILLNEVERFLY
    Posted on November 23, 2012 at 1:40pm

    Thank you Mr. Baker for bringing this to light at the Blaze. A vote next week? They are moving fast on this issue now they must feel the pressure from somewhere…oh, must be some Progressives assessment of the election results. What happened to Secure the Boarder First? That should be part of this bill PERIOD. Security by the Federal Government is their Number One Job and they have FAILED. What about voter fraud? What about impeachment? I appreciate that they need to do something that “looks” positive. However, hundreds of billions have been spent on a false sense of security at the expense of American taxpayers freedoms. For all that has been spent to restrict our freedoms the boarder could have been secured. Then decide who should come and who should stay to rebuild a strong and free America.

    Report this comment

    PIGSWILLNEVERFLY  
  • jessieH
    Posted on November 23, 2012 at 1:38pm

    Neither party will ever recieve my vote from now on.

    Report this comment

    jessieH  
  • Micmac
    Posted on November 23, 2012 at 1:36pm

    This is a terrible knee jerk from congress giving the Ds everything they want without getting any benefit from it. It appears to the average person that the Ds forced the Rs into it, therefore, making the Ds look good and the Rs look stupid once again. How pathetic is the R party these days without any true Rs in the party anymore. They are ALL RINOS except maybe 3 people. A smart person (not congress) would sit back, analyze the situation, make movement decisions at the time that is most beneficial. This is not what is happening. Boehner at work again…clueless and out of touch.
    The end result is that all these “new” citizens with vote D, so the Rs are just hurting themselves, while the Ds are sitting and and having a huge laugh at the Rs frenetically shoot themselves.

    The Rs learned NOTHING from the last election…NOTHING!

    Report this comment

    Micmac  
  • fourteen_k
    Posted on November 23, 2012 at 1:28pm

    How about trying to SEAL the damned border FIRST??? THEN you can talk about how to deal with the illegals already here. Stupid RINO’S wondering how they got beat???? How about nominating someone worthwhile to run for President. I’m SICK of the GOP early primaries being held in states that for the most part, are never won the a republican and then by the time the primaries come around in the states that are consistently red, our choices are among what the blue states want us to choose!!!!!

    Report this comment

    fourteen_k  
    • rose-ellen
      Posted on November 23, 2012 at 5:20pm

      when are you fox gulls going to realize that the only thing the neo cons and the republican party cares about is genocide against muslims?For the benefit of israel. Everything else is open for compromise.They’ve been stringing you consevatives along for years!

      Report this comment

      rose-ellen  
    • Fubared
      Posted on November 23, 2012 at 7:25pm

      Rosey
      Hahahaha. Bet your ebt balance on that?

      Report this comment

      Fubared  
    • JustMeHere_01
      Posted on November 23, 2012 at 11:26pm

      @rose-ellen
      Posted on November 23, 2012 at 5:20pm
      when are you fox gulls going to realize that the only thing the neo cons and the republican party cares about is genocide against muslims?For the benefit of israel. Everything else is open for compromise.They’ve been stringing you consevatives along for years!
      ———————————————————–
      lol…..why do you assume that people here watch Fox News. I do not watch Fox News and to answer your question, it is obvious that most of the worlds peril are caused by Muslims. That is a fact. Muslims hate everyone and have no reservations about killing people and even rejoice in it.

      It may be the extreme Muslims but there are still many millions of those that hate anyone that does t support Sharia Law. Another fact proven over and over again.

      Report this comment

      JustMeHere_01  
    • rose-ellen
      Posted on November 24, 2012 at 11:19am

      They kill for the same reasons we do-political reasons and penal codes. Theyy are rising up against western imposed dictators,invasions ,occupations and zionist illigal occupation and expansion. You’ve bought the anti muslim genocidal propaganda line fed to you by fox and company i.e. the right wing zionists.All arab countries and hamas have said they would now accept the legal pre 67war borders. Of course they resisted this colonialist settler state initially-why would they not-as they were victimized by the creation of israel. Today they would abide by the 67 legal original borders. It is israel that is violating international law by occupying and annexing land.[land seized in 67].And you’re hypocritical as we kill people for political reasons and always have-including civilians when in our interests!Brainwashed gull!

      Report this comment

      rose-ellen  
  • banjarmon
    Posted on November 23, 2012 at 1:19pm

    Close the Border NOW!!!!! Stop ALL HAND OUTS to immigrates Who DO NOT have proper IDENTIFICATION. Learn to Speak the Language! Make The US Law as Strict as Mexico,s for illegals. NO VOTING RIGHTS For ANYONE WITHOUT PHOTO ID!!!!!

    Report this comment

    banjarmon  
    • neverending
      Posted on November 23, 2012 at 8:33pm

      Amen to all of that.

      Report this comment

      neverending  
    • cosmic dogma
      Posted on November 24, 2012 at 11:23pm

      Wonderful, logical and patriotic ideas! Tooo bad none will ever be implemented. We have passed the point of no return. Just settle in for the ride to the bottom of the excrement pile, along with our fellow countrymen. We live in an age of ignorance and apathy. I am now a club member of the latter, apathy. Our nation can retain no cultural identity with the massive levels of illegal immigration it is encouraging. Yes, I say encouraging- because when there are no repercussions for illegal actions: why not … . As to the waves of immigrants we have had in the past, that successfully integrated into American society, they worked and wanted to be here for the opportunity to work. There was no great social net to capture them if they failed. Possibility of Failure was a wonderful motivation for success. That motivation is gone. I choose to live the rest of my life for myself and my family. No more patriotism. No more generosity. Will be carefully observing the downfall of a once great nation, with eyes wide open to the possibility of incredible tyranny, as happens in most third world countries. When people become desperate, they tend to become more like the carnivore side of their natural being, than the herbivore. We are the most dominate species on the planet not because of our gentleness and timidity, but because we are the cruelest and most aggressive. suppose this includes religion, as islam is dominating the planet. Democrats will enjoy your brave new world.

      Report this comment

      cosmic dogma  
  • 1911a1
    Posted on November 23, 2012 at 1:13pm

    I will never vote GOP Again if they bend over for these Commies ! NEVER!

    Report this comment

    1911a1  
  • Cavallo
    Posted on November 23, 2012 at 1:04pm

    These bozos don’t have your best interest at heart, don’t let them lie to you and tell you they do.

    Report this comment

    Cavallo  
  • Thighmaster
    Posted on November 23, 2012 at 1:00pm

    Wet your finger and hold it up then go whichever way the wind is blowing…. just pass whatever they lay in front of you so you can see what’s in it….

    Report this comment

    Thighmaster  
  • TSUNAMI_22
    Posted on November 23, 2012 at 12:57pm

    Perfect thinking on the part of the GOP.

    When in doubt about the detriments of ObamaCare, take steps to enhance the collapse of Amerika through the hastening of foreign immigration…..which only strengthens the democrats.

    Smart move, GOP.

    Report this comment

    TSUNAMI_22  
  • randy
    Posted on November 23, 2012 at 12:55pm

    And I’ll vote against any and all GOP members that cave to the democrats!

    Report this comment

    randy  
    • Marine25
      Posted on November 23, 2012 at 1:04pm

      Did you not learn anything from the defeat of Senator Lugar by an unelectable buffoon who “would never compromise with Democrats”?
      Tea Party thinking has given the Senate away…twice.

      Report this comment

      Marine25  
    • darkeningskies
      Posted on November 23, 2012 at 1:10pm

      I also will vote against any GOP member that caves. RINOS

      Report this comment

      darkeningskies  
  • oldguy49
    Posted on November 23, 2012 at 12:53pm

    uniited states of mexico

    Report this comment

    oldguy49  
  • Red Meat
    Posted on November 23, 2012 at 12:52pm

    GOP=Toast.
    Cantor=Jooooo

    Report this comment

    Red Meat  
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