Progressives Risk Bitter Split over Immigration ReformRandy Shawbyline‚ Apr. 30‚ 2007One year after millions of immigrants and their supporters took to the streets demanding amnesty, the drive for progressive reform is at a crossroads. Although House Republicans lost seats in 2006 over their anti-immigrant stance, the early start of the 2008 presidential nomination process has further shifted the Party’s immigration position to the right. This has darkened the once bright prospects for enacting meaningful reform in 2007, as President Bush will not sign a measure without Republican support. This political environment has split progressives over strategy: work to get the best deal possible now, or wait for a Democratic President in 2009. Those in the former camp are supporting the STRIVE Act of 2007, which grants six-years of temporary legal status but requires immigrants to first return to their home countries in order to obtain US citizenship. Can a progressive split over immigration strategy be avoided? |