Immigration Reform 2013 News: 58 Percent Of Americans Support A Pathway To Citizenship For Illegal Residents, Republican Opposition At US House Might Kill Bill This Week [UPDATE]

The immigration reform of 2013 seems to be moving steady and the good news have been welcomed by many immigration reform advocates, especially the bill’s winning a bipartisan approval at the U.S. Senate Committee last week.

The challenge to realize the biggest overhaul of U.S. immigration laws in history is imminent and is greater – if not possibly insurmountable – as the bill now goes to a floor vote at the Republican-led U.S. House.

Despite public opinion where 58 percent of all Americans support a pathway to citizenship, up to 52 percent of Republicans oppose it. And many House Republicans are not convinced by arguments given by party leaders. Many Republican leaders believe that any kind of official pardon for illegal immigrants is unacceptable.

“I don’t think we should be worried about the political impact but instead what is in the best interest of America. Besides people who are going to break our laws, I don’t want them in this country,” said Mo Brooks (R-Alabama), “We can’t afford to give amnesty to every person who wants to illegally cross our borders. We don’t have enough money in our piggy bank. Amnesty begets more amnesty. I cannot in good conscience ratify illegal conduct with my vote. Any Republican who advocates ratifying illegal conduct with their vote is subverting the very principles that made the United States a great nation.”

According to Ron Benjean, however, the consequence of Republicans not passing immigration reform maybe the end of the party as we know it. The former congressional leadership aide said, “If Republicans refuse to pass comprehensive immigration reform, we will become obsolete as a party within 10 years.”

The version of the bill that passed the Senate Judiciary Committee, 13-5, last week with the support of three Republicans included putting illegal residents on a 13-year pathway to citizenship upon satisfying several requirements. These include paying back taxes and a fine, learning English, having a job and having no criminal record of any sort.

The comprehensive immigration reform bill is strongly supported by the business and labor class as they see it as a means to bolster border security and fulfilling the demand for more skilled workers in various occupations.