Immigration Clock Runs Down on Republicans

The clock is ticking down to Drop-Dead Tuesday, and a much-debated immigration bill still isn’t on the agenda at the Senate Budget Committee. If Senate Bill 2040 doesn’t clear the panel by the end of business Tuesday, the measure is all but eliminated from consideration this session. Conservatives say the political repercussions could blow back on Senate President Mike Haridopolos’ campaign for U.S. Senate. The demise of SB 2040 would leave House Bill 7089 as the only remaining hope for immigration reform.

Here is a basic summary of HB 7089:
Enforcement of Immigration Laws: Prohibits state or political subdivisions from limiting or restricting enforcement of federal immigration laws; provides that state or its political subdivisions may not be prohibited from maintaining or exchanging information regarding immigration status; authorizes law enforcement officer to determine immigration status; requires implementation consistent with federal law; prohibits using race, color, or national origin in enforcement; requires every employer to use federal E-Verify system; prohibits knowingly employing unauthorized alien; authorizes complaints to licensing agency that employer has employed unauthorized alien; provides for enforcement & penalties; provides that certain employers are not liable for hiring, refusing to hire, or terminating employee under certain conditions; prohibits public employers from contracting for services with contractors not using E-Verify system; provides additional instance for warrantless arrests; provides additional criteria for consideration when determining whether to release defendant on bail or other conditions; provides for enhanced maximum criminal penalties when offense committed by unlawfully present alien; provides findings of public necessity. (Link to article)

If Republicans want to court the Latino vote, they will have to do much better than HB 7089. This is a tougher measure and is focused exclusively on enforcement. That will simply not go well with Latino voters. The Republicans seem to have the ability to make immigration reform a reality at this point. To get voters on their side, they will have to offer something on the benefits side. It will be interesting to see what happens with the issue of immigration reform.