Hannity Radio, 4:08 PM, 6/18/13, Hosting Ann Coulter

COULTER: Republicans should understand that Boehner secretly wants to pass amnesty…we would support something like a fence, E verify bill, we won’t pass anything else. Even if Boehner votes against an amnesty bill, he’s just doing it as a fig leaf. We want no House bill because of how this is going in the Senate right now…Rand Paul on your show last night was hilarious because he is claiming he just noticed that the bill starts with legalization. He acts like he just read it, legalization has always been in the bill.

[4:16]

It is a sneaky fig leaf for the Republicans to just pass a fence bill or something like that. It would take a two page bill, not some sneaky deceptive thousand page bill that will triple legal immigration and grant amnesty when you combine it with other provisions of the immigration law.

[4:17]

Those who didn’t show up to support Romney were white blue collared workers in Midwest. Those were areas that Obama was working on before he even became president. Real surprise in 2008 election was elderly black ladies. No one was expecting them to come out in such high numbers. Despite all these Hispanic activist groups telling us that Hispanics were such a huge percentage of the election, it was only 8.4%. They couldn’t have carried Romney even if 70% had voted for him. I think Graham is not as bright as Sessions and Ted Cruz.

Hannity Radio, 3:29 PM, 6/18/13, Immigration Bill Like Obamacare

HANNITY: Byron York pointing out that Democrats are going to try to ram through this immigration bill like they rammed through Obamacare.

Hannity Radio, 3:10 PM, 6/18/13, Never Trust Schumer, Durbin, Obama

HANNITY: I don’t know why any conservative is reading or believing what the New Yorker says…I have never been lobbied by anybody…I’ve always said any bill must secure the border first….I said at the beginning that I don’t trust Schumer, Durbin, Obama. What I predicted then has pretty much come to fruition.

[3:14]

Arizona was just trying to enforce federal laws that the fed refuses to enforce, and the Holder took them to court. Unbelievable.

[3:19]

How many times are Democrats going to be able to roll over and bamboozle Republicans…we’re dealing with the same problem again and again and again…I’m fairly convinced that the democrats want to use this as a wedge issue going into an election year. And Republicans need to understand who they’re dealing with, these are not trustworthy people.

Rush Limbaugh, 12:43 PM, 6/18/13, Republicans Embracing Immigration Reform

LIMBAUGH: Republicans are scared that if they don’t support immigration reform, they’ll be labelled racists, bigots, everyone will yell that they hate Hispanics. Sen. Lindsay Graham thinks they have to do this.  But here’s the problem with that: If the Republicans – If one of the main reasons for passing the Gang of 8 immigration bill is so Republicans can prove they don’t hate Hispanics, then what’s next? Do they have to support gay marriage to prove they don’t hate gays? Affirmative action to prove they don’t hate blacks? And so on. It is very difficult to out liberal a liberal. Do Hispanics even hate us? Or is it the portal of Republicans by the liberal media that makes Hispanics hate us?

[...]

It sounds to me like a pretty ingenious trick. To get the Republican party to cast aside what they stand for. But is has even permeated the conservative media.

Rush Limbaugh, 12:36 PM, 6/18/13, Immigration Reform Like Obamacare

LIMBAUGH: It’s already 24 pounds. Just like with Obamacare, they don’t want you to know what’s in it. That and the falling support. So they want to pass it as quickly as possible.

Happening Now, 12:13 PM, 6/18/13, Border Enforcement Not Tough Enough

EMANUEL: A lot of conservatives don’t feel that immigration reform has enough security measures in it as it stands.

Laura Ingraham, 11:14 AM, 6/18/13, Syrian Refugees

INGRAHAM: We’ve had a huge explosion of Muslim Americans because of refugees. And some of them are fine, but many aren’t. What about the Boston bombers? Do we really know who these refugees are?

Laura Ingraham, 10:38 AM, 6/18/13, Hosts Grover Norquist

INGRAHAM: With unemployment so high we can’t let more immigrants in to take all our jobs…We have benefits that are being showered on these people….we can’t assimilate that many people that fast, and be fair to people who play by the rules…this just doesn’t seem like Grover Norquist bill to me

NORQUIST: the terrible welfare system hurts people who are born in this country, not immigrants, and we need the Paul Ryan plan.

Laura Ingraham, 10:15 AM, 6/18/13, Rubio’s Staffer’s Comments

INGRAHAM: Are we making too much of this Rubio staffer comment? Or should we maybe not presume that every illegal alien that comes into the U.S. will be a valedictorian? … Why would Rubio want to align himself with people who think this?

Hannity, 9:05 PM, 6/17/13, Hosting Rand Paul

HANNITY: Let me ask you about immigration… Graham said Hispanics cost Romney the election and we’ll be in a demographic death spiral if we don’t get Hispanics

PAUL: We do need to be more inclusive, but I don’t think that means that we choke on this type of a bill. Border security first…my amendment guarantees that legalization is dependent on security. That’s the only thing the House would accept. I am a Republican who honestly wants to fix the system, the legal system is broken, but I can’t vote for a bill that won’t secure the border first.

Print

‘FIRST COMES THE LEGALIZATION’: RUBIO CONTRADICTS TOUGH-TALKING IMMIGRATION ADS

‘FIRST COMES THE LEGALIZATION’: RUBIO CONTRADICTS TOUGH-TALKING IMMIGRATION ADS

‘FIRST COMES THE LEGALIZATION’: RUBIO CONTRADICTS TOUGH-TALKING IMMIGRATION ADS

Breitbart: SECOND RUBIO AIDE ARGUED SOME AMERICANS NOT CUT OUT FOR WORKFORCE

Breitbart: SESSIONS CHIDES RUBIO: ‘MARCO, THERE’S SOMEBODY ON THE TELEVISION PRETENDING TO BE YOU’

Breitbart: GLENN BECK RETURNS TO DC FOR TEA PARTY RALLIES

Breitbart: WEDNESDAY MARKS THE RETURN OF THE TEA PARTY

Breitbart: Sen. Rand Paul Immigration Proposal Will Eliminate Pathway to Citizenship

Breitbart: SESSIONS CALLS ON ZUCKERBERG, RUBIO TO PULL ‘FALSE’ IMMIGRATION AD

Breitbart: FACT CHECK: DURBIN ASSURES ‘SERIOUS’ CRIMINAL RECORDS PREVENT LEGALIZATION

Breitbart: GOMEZ WOULD HELP GOP MORE THAN AMNESTY

National Review Online: Is Ted Cruz Lying Low?

National Review Online: The Enforcement Game

National Review Online: Polling Overstates Support for the Gang of Eight

National Review Online: Gohmert, Others May Block All Immigration Bills in Judiciary Committee

National Review Online: Sessions: Gang of Eight’s Enforcement Is Weaker Than 2007, ‘In Many Ways Much Weaker than ’86’

National Review Online: Rubio Quote in Context

Red State: Open Borders Politicians Responsible for More Illegal Immigration

The Daily Caller: Senate rejects amendment to build border fence

The Daily Caller: Supporters of immigration reform in Senate: Focus on Senate, not House

The Daily Caller: Boehner says he will not hold vote on immigration bill without majority Republican support

The Daily Caller: Bachmann: Boehner will use ‘loophole’ to pass immigration in the House

The Daily Caller: Rubio Doubles Down into Disaster

Washington Times: Senate rejects border fence

American Spectator: The IRS Immigration Fraud Scandal

NewsMax: Diaz-Balart: Pelosi Obstacle to Immigration Reform

Washington Examiner: Support falling in polls, Harry Reid announces rush to pass immigration bill

Fox News Latino: Immigration Activists Target Author Of Arizona Law At His Home

Anti-Immigrant Commentary

CIS: Pro-Amnesty Stance Not Enough to Earn Latino Support

CIS: Hatch’s Back Tax Demand Targets Illegal Aliens, Ignores Their Employers

CIS: Bulletin: NYT Editorial Shows Concern for American Workers

CIS: The Inevitable? — More TPS Eligibility for Syrians

FAIR: Sen. Cornyn Makes Play with Border Amendment

FAIR: FAIR Alert: Senate Votes on Amendments to Gang of Eight Bill TODAY

FAIR: Can’t Americans Do Anything Right?

ALIPAC: Red Alert: Harry Reid Is About To Call for Final Vote on Amnesty in Senate

ALIPAC: Revolt in the House Against Amnesty Needs Your Backing

Media Matters Work

Fox News Deceptively Quotes Immigration Expert To Attack Immigration Bill

Fox News Amplifies Fabricated Link Between Immigrants And Crime

Mark Levin: Every Time Karl Rove Is On Fox News “I Have To Shut It Off”

Fox Pushes Non-Citizen Voting Myth After Supreme Court Decision On Voter Registration

Mark Levin Attacks GOP For Supporting Immigration Reform: “You Lie Through Your Teeth”

Laura Ingraham: Jeb Bush Insulted “Work Ethic” And “Family Values” Of Americans While Making Case For Immigration Reform

By Alan Gomez

June 17, 2013

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2013/06/17/immigration-house-illegal-presence-crime/2420387/

National Journal: Sens. Hoeven, Corker Push New Border-Security Amendment

By Rebecca Kaplan

June 17, 2013

http://www.nationaljournal.com/daily/sens-hoeven-corker-push-new-border-security-amendment-20130617

NBC Latino: Legislation to criminalize undocumented immigrants takes center stage today

By Sandra Lilley

June 18, 2013

http://nbclatino.com/2013/06/18/legislation-to-criminalize-undocumented-immigrants-takes-center-stage-today/

Houston Chronicle (Editorial): Cornyn: The Great Pretender?

June 14, 2013

http://www.chron.com/opinion/editorials/article/Cornyn-The-Great-Pretender-4601575.php

Daily Caller (Blog): The Search for the Magic Fig Leaf

By Mickey Kaus

June 16, 2013

http://dailycaller.com/2013/06/16/the-search-for-the-magic-fig-leaf/

HOUSE JUDICIARY MARKUP PREVIEW

Associated Press: House committee takes up tough immigration bill

By Erica Werner

June 18, 2013

http://news.yahoo.com/house-committee-takes-tough-immigration-bill-071515990.html

Politico: Immigration momentum grows in House this week

By Seung Min Kim

June 17, 2013

https://www.politicopro.com/go/?id=23208

BOEHNER NEWS; HOUSE REPUBLICANS PUSHBACK ON LEADERSHIP

National Journal: Boehner Aims to Move Immigration by Capitalizing on a Conservative Rift

By Chris Frates

June 18, 2013

http://www.nationaljournal.com/congress/boehner-aims-to-move-immigration-by-capitalizing-on-a-conservative-rift-20130618

Associated Press: Republican National, House Interests Split By Immigration

By Charles Babington

June 17, 2013

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/17/republican-immigration_n_3455659.html

Roll Call: Boehner’s Job Security Questioned in Relation to Immigration, ‘Hastert Rule’

By Steven Dennis

June 17, 2013

http://blogs.rollcall.com/goppers/rohrabacher-warns-boehner-on-immigration-hastert-rule/

The Hill: Rohrabacher: Boehner ‘should be removed as Speaker’ if he moves Senate immigration bill

By Jonathan Easley

June 17, 2013

http://thehill.com/homenews/house/306011-gop-rep-rohrabacher-boehner-should-lose-his-speakership-if-he-allows-vote-on-immigration#ixzz2WZJN797q

Wall Street Journal: Business Roundtable Prods House on Immigration

By Sara Murray

June 17, 2013

http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2013/06/17/business-roundtable-prods-house-on-immigration/

SENATE ACTION & ANALYSIS

New York Times: Top Democrats in Senate Urge Faster Action

By Carl Huse

June 17, 2013

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/18/us/politics/senate-democrats-want-action-on-immigration-bill.html

New York Times: In Round 3, Immigration Bill Faces Sessions, Who Won Rounds 1 and 2

By Jonathan Weisman

June 17, 2013

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/18/us/politics/in-round-3-immigration-bill-faces-sessions-who-won-rounds-1-and-2.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

Reuters: Republican senators seek border compromise for immigration bill

By Richard Cowan and Caren Bohan

June 17, 2013

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/06/17/us-immigration-usa-border-idUSBRE95G15N20130617

The Hill: Rand Paul makes immigration move

By Alexander Bolton

June 18, 2013

http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/306093-paul-makes-immigration-move

Huffington Post: Immigration Bill Gives GOP A Pounding Migraine

By Howard Fineman

June 17, 2013

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/17/gop-immigration-bill_n_3456095.html?1371506032

ABC/Univision: Who Wants Credit for Immigration Reform if It Passes

By Ted Hesson

June 17, 2013

http://abcnews.go.com/ABC_Univision/Politics/obama-rubio-cruz-credit-blame-immigration-reform/story?id=19420961#.Ub-BdefVCSo

Politico: With immigration, Marco Rubio risks D.C. insider label

By Alexander Burns and Maggie Haberman

June 16, 2013

http://www.politico.com/story/2013/06/on-immigration-marco-rubio-risks-looking-like-dc-insider-92861.html#ixzz2WVqV3ybW

Washington Examiner: Benefits and borders: Q&A with Marco Rubio

By David Drucker

June 17, 2013

http://washingtonexaminer.com/please-enter-headline-here/article/2531988

The Hill: Sen. Durbin: We don’t need 70 votes in Senate for immigration reform

By Adele Hampton

June 17, 2013

http://thehill.com/video/senate/305897-durbin-we-dont-need-70-votes-for-immigration-reform#ixzz2WVpGMJf5

Wall Street Journal: Supreme Court Strikes Down Arizona Voting Rules

By Jess Bravin ans Tamara Audi

June 17, 2013

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324520904578551302940183818.html

US News and World Report: After SCOTUS Ruling, Ted Cruz Vows Immigration Amendment

By Rebekah Metzler

June 17, 2013

http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2013/06/17/ted-cruz-vows-to-offer-immigration-amendment-in-reaction-to-courts-arizona-decision

Politico: Ted Cruz amendment would allow voter ID

By Burgess Everett

June 17, 2013

http://www.politico.com/story/2013/06/scotus-voter-id-ted-cruz-92931.html

Politico: AFL-CIO wants original deal for H-1B workers

By Seung Min Kim

June 17, 2013

http://www.politico.com/story/2013/06/immigration-bill-afl-cio-92949.html

POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS AND ANALYSIS

CNN: CNN Poll: Big generational divide in immigration battle

By Paul Steinhauser

June 18, 2013

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2013/06/18/cnn-poll-big-generational-divide-in-immigration-battle/

New York Magazine: The Gaffe That Threatens Immigration Reform

By Jonathan Chait

June 17, 2013

http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2013/06/gaffe-that-threatens-immigration-reform.html

IMMIGRATION OPPOSITION COVERAGE

National Journal: Back to Basics: Immigration Hawks Warn About ‘Undocumented Democrats’

By Tim Alberta

June 18, 2013

http://www.nationaljournal.com/congress/rubio-stares-down-the-right-over-undocumented-democrats-20130618

Politico: Tea party group floats immigration plan

By Tarini Parti

June 17, 2013

http://www.politico.com/story/2013/06/tea-party-immigration-plan-92912.html

Washington Post: Mark Krikorian: The provocateur standing in the way of immigration reform

By Manuel Roig-Franzia

June 17, 2013

http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/mark-krikorian-the-provocateur-standing-in-the-way-of-immigration-reform/2013/06/17/dff0bd52-d75e-11e2-a9f2-42ee3912ae0e_story_1.html

Politico: Rush Limbaugh: Money behind ‘amnesty’

By Rebecca Elliot

June 17, 2013

http://www.politico.com/story/2013/06/rush-limbaugh-immigration-bill-92936.html

JOHN MORTON RESIGNS

USA Today: Obama’s immigration enforcement director to resign

By Alan Gomez

June 17, 2013

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2013/06/17/immigration-enforcement-chief-resigns/2431109/

7-ELEVEN RAID

New York Times: U.S. Seizes 14 7-Eleven Stores in Immigration Raids

By William Rashbaum and Mosi Secret

June 17, 2013

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/18/nyregion/us-seizes-14-7-eleven-stores-in-immigration-raids.html

Wall Street Journal: Nine Charged in Immigration Probe at 7-Eleven Franchises

By Chad Bray

June 17, 2013

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324520904578551402449471498.html

EDITORIALS AND OPINIONS

Wall Street Journal (Editorial): America’s Assimilating Hispanics

June 17, 2013

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324787004578495393859698964.html?KEYWORDS=immigration

Washington Post (Blog): Marco Rubio’s epic challenge on immigration

By Greg Sargent

June 17, 2013

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/wp/2013/06/17/the-morning-plum-marco-rubios-epic-challenge-on-immigration/

Washington Post (Wonkblog): Immigration reform isn’t about Marco Rubio. It’s about John Boehner.

By Evan Soltas

June 18, 2013

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2013/06/18/wonkbook-immigration-reform-isnt-about-marco-rubio-its-about-john-boehner/

Washington Post (Blog): Gang of Eight borders on success

By Jennifer Rubin

June 17, 2013

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/right-turn/wp/2013/06/17/gang-of-eight-borders-on-success/

Washington Post (The Fix): How the immigration bill explains the Senate, in 10 anecdotes

By Sean Sullivan

June 17, 2013

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2013/06/17/how-the-immigration-bill-explains-the-senate-in-10-anecdotes/

Washington Post (The Fix): What the “Hastert rule” fight tells us about House Republicans

By Paul Kane

June 17, 2013

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2013/06/17/what-the-hastert-rule-fight-tells-us-about-house-republicans/

Huffington Post (Blog): House Loses Memo on How to Succeed on Immigration Reform

By Marielena Hincapie

June 15, 2013

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/marielena-hincapie/house-loses-memo-on-how-t_b_3445055.html

The Hill (Blog): Small business needs a balanced immigration bill

By John Arensmeyer

June 17, 2013

http://thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/economy-a-budget/305659-small-business-needs-a-balanced-immigration-bill-

New York Times (Letter to the Editor): Policing and Immigrants

By Susan Shah

June 17, 2013

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/18/opinion/policing-and-immigrants.html?ref=todayspaper

America Live, 1:50 PM, 6/17/13, Immigrants With Felony Convictions Can Get Waivers

KOBACH: Well, my guess is in that situation — I mean, we haven’t seen the internal communications , but my guess is because he’d been arrested and not convicted. This administration has been drawing a very strange line in! Saying, we don’t regard you as a criminal. We don’t regard you as a threat to public safety until you’ve been convicted in a court of law. Merely being arrested for drunk driving or arrested for assaulting a federal officer isn’t enough. And I think that’s a real problematic line. They’ve drawn that line not only in the way they exercise discretion, as you described, they’ve done it in executive amnesty they did a year ago, which is the subject of litigation I’m involved in, and doing it in the proposed bill in the senate right now. They allow discretion in someone who hasn’t yet been convicted. As we all know, just because a person doesn’t have that final conviction, that person is still a danger to the community and probably did commit the crime, especially in some cases where the evidence is irrefutable.

KELLY: You can’t go with probably. That can’t be the standard in criminal cases. It’s required beyond a reasonable doubt. I see your point. I want to move on to this one because the actual bill being debated in the senate would say that even if you committed a felony, sounds like they’re saying even if you have been convicted of a felony, you might receive special consideration if you have children or a spouse in the united states. So, even if you are deportable, you might be able to stay, somebody like this, if he had a child, even though he killed the father of another child, might be able to stay.

KOBACH: Yeah. And you’ve hit on a really important problem in this bill in the senate. The standard under current law is that you can get a waiver. If you’re an illegal alien, in some circumstances, if it causes extreme hardship to a family member. Extreme hardship. One of the clever things drafters of this bill in the the primary breadwinner still in the country. So they’ve done this and it’s going to open a flood gate if the law passes to discretion to anyone.

Rush Limbaugh, 1:26 PM, 6/17/13, Democrats Need Permanent Underclass

LIMBAUGH: The income tax is the #1 inhibitor to wealth creation, by design. Freedom is a hard sell but hard work is even a harder sell to some people. I love immigration when it’s major feature is assimilation. But how are they going to vote? Democrats need a permanent underclass. Some Americans are able to advance out of the underclass, out of the reach of the Democrat party, and they have to be replaced. Hello amnesty.

Rush Limbaugh, 12:13 PM, 6/17/13, Attacks Rubio Statement On Workers

LIMBAUGH: Daily Caller reports that the White House is running the immigration bill. A Rubio aide said there are jobs Americans are unfit for. What’s offensive about the quote is the assumption that every one of the “illegals” is qualified, wants to work. The major thing to take away is that Obama’s running this bill. Not the gang of 8.

Laura Ingraham, 10:38 AM, 6/17/13, Immigrants And Crime Hosts Maria Espinoza

INGRAHAM: DUIs, Violent crimes, rape against children, I’m not saying all immigrants do this, but there have been some horrific crimes.

ESPINOZA: There have been hundreds of illegal immigrant crimes against American citizens which are rarely reported. American families are not protected, shattering the nucleus of the family. There is a tremendous amount of killing by illegal immigrants driving drunk… high occurrence of child molestation and rape.

Print

‘FIRST COMES THE LEGALIZATION’: RUBIO CONTRADICTS TOUGH-TALKING IMMIGRATION ADS

‘FIRST COMES THE LEGALIZATION’: RUBIO CONTRADICTS TOUGH-TALKING IMMIGRATION ADS

‘FIRST COMES THE LEGALIZATION’: RUBIO CONTRADICTS TOUGH-TALKING IMMIGRATION ADS

Breitbart: SOURCE: BOEHNER SAYS NO TO IMMIGRATION BILL WITHOUT HOUSE GOP SUPPORT

Breitbart: TEA PARTY GROUP ANNOUNCES ALTERNATIVE REFORM PLAN TO SENATE IMMIGRATION BILL

Breitbart: RUBIO HASN’T APPEARED PUBLICLY WITH GANG OF EIGHT IN TWO MONTHS

Breitbart: PRESSURE ON RUBIO TO REVEAL STAFFER WHO DISPARAGED U.S. WORKERS

Breitbart: GRAHAM: AMNESTY ONLY WAY TO PREVENT GOP ‘DEMOGRAPHIC DEATH SPIRAL’

Breitbart: SCOTUS: ARIZ. CITIZENSHIP PROOF LAW ILLEGAL

National Review Online: Illegal Immigration: Elite Illiberality

National Review Online: Rubio’s Folly, Cont.

National Review Online: Rubio Aide: ‘There Are American Workers Who, For Lack of a Better Term, Can’t Cut It’

National Review Online: Americans: High-Immigration Republicans Are Just Not That Into You

National Review Online: Voting by Noncitizens in Arizona

National Review Online: 7-Eleven Stores Raided in Ilegal-Immigration Bust

National Review Online: Clearing Up Arizona v. Inter Tribal Council of Arizona

National Review Online: GOP Rep.: Pelosi Keeps Forcing Dems to ‘Backtrack’ on Immigration Agreements

Red State: Constance Cafavy And Comprehensive Amnesty Reform

Red State: The Veiled Anti-American Sentiment of Open Borders Politicians

The Daily Caller: Give me your spouse beaters ….

Daily Caller: Obama runs immigration bill from White House, according to new report

Washington Times: KNIGHT: The GOP temptation to try to fix the unfixable

Todd Starnes: Immigration Activists Mob Kansas Secretary of State’s Home

Anti-Immigrant Commentary

CIS: 2 Weeks in a Row, Rubio Produces an Awkward Sunday Disconnect

FAIR: Failed to Pay Taxes? Americans Face Jail Time, Illegal Aliens Receive Amnesty

ALIPAC: Our Amnesty Fighters Are Under Attack in the Senate

Please take the time to call your senators’ offices at 1-866-940 2439 or 202-224-3121 and let them know you support comprehensive immigration reform with a road to citizenship:

• · OPPOSE Senator Rubio’s amendment #1225, which would require all immigrants over the age of 16 to be able to demonstrate English proficiency before adjusting from Registered Provisional Immigrant (RPI) status to Legal Permanent Resident (LPR) status;
• · OPPOSE Senator Cornyn’s “RESULTS” amendment #1251, which would mandate unreasonable triggers that could inevitably delay the path to citizenship and increase enforcement costs without a clear strategy or purpose;
• · OPPOSE Senator Vitter’s amendments #1201 and #1228, which would needlessly delay the pathway to citizenship until the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) implements biometric border check-in/out systems and until Congress confirms that is has been sufficiently implemented;
• · OPPOSE Senator Thune’s amendment #1196, which would needlessly delay the pathway to citizenship, requiring the completion of 350 miles of reinforced, double-layered fencing before RPI status may be granted and also requiring the completion of 700 miles of such fencing before those with RPI status can get green cards.

Also, the House Judiciary Committee began will begin mark-ups on several piece-meal immigration bills as an alternative to comprehensive immigration reform. They will begin with Rep. Gowdy’s so-called “Safe Act” (H.R. 2278), which is an extreme enforcement-only bill that would perpetuate fear among immigrant communities and criminalize undocumented immigrants and any U.S. citizen who provides assistance to these immigrants. A second bill that the Committee may soon consider is an Agriculture Guestworker bill (H.R. 1773), which would roll back worker protections for all U.S. and immigrant farmworkers. 

 Call 1-888-787-9658 to urge your Representative to:

• · SUPPORT comprehensive, bipartisan reform, and REJECT the punitive bills the Judiciary Committee will begin to consider on Tuesday.

By Janet Hook

June 16, 2013

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324049504578545850872154148.html

New York Times: In Senate, an Immigration Bill Savior or Saboteur?

By Ashley Parker

June 14, 2013

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/15/us/politics/texas-senator-is-lightning-rod-in-immigration-fight.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&smid=tw-nytimes&partner=rss&emc=rss&

Bloomberg: Requiring Immigrants to Learn English Sought in Senate Proposal

By Kathleen Hunter

June 15, 2013

http://www.businessweek.com/news/2013-06-14/requiring-immigrants-to-learn-english-sought-in-senate-measure

Fiscal Times: Immigration Bill Splits the GOP, Forcing a Showdown

By Eric Pianin and Josh Boak

June 17, 2013

http://www.thefiscaltimes.com/Articles/2013/06/17/Immigration-Bill-Splits-the-GOP-Forcing-a-Showdown.aspx#LwLFsKQP8Vy7rKtP.99

Washington Post (Blog): An emerging middle ground on immigration reform?

By Greg Sargent

June 14, 2013

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/wp/2013/06/14/the-morning-plum-an-emerging-middle-ground-on-immigration-reform/

Boston Globe (Opinion): Employers are not immigration officers

By Jeff Jacoby

June 16, 2013

http://www.bostonglobe.com/opinion/2013/06/16/why-workplace-enforcement-immoral/OM9R7Y1asceFVZ0seIw1qK/story.html

Voxxi: Deferred action seen as turning point in fight for immigration reform

By Griselda Nevarez

June 15, 2013

http://www.voxxi.com/deferred-action-immigration-reform/#ixzz2WQGEnovx

SENS. RUBIO, GRAHAM AND MENENDEZ HIT THE SUNDAY SHOWS

Wall Street Journal: Rubio Presses for More on Immigration

By Jared Favole

June 16, 2013

http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2013/06/16/rubio-presses-for-more-on-immigration/

Reuters: Key Republican senator says still backs immigration bill

June 16, 2013

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/06/16/us-usa-immigration-idUSBRE95F0CN20130616

Politico: Rubio insists he isn’t being played by Schumer

By Jennifer Epstein

June 16, 2013

http://www.politico.com/blogs/politico-live/2013/06/rubio-insists-he-isnt-being-played-by-schumer-166340.html?hp=l2

Associated Press: Graham warns fellow Republicans: Without immigration bill, GOP to lose in 2016

June 16, 2013

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/congress/graham-warns-fellow-republicans-without-immigration-bill-gop-to-lose-in-2016/2013/06/16/e9c5e6d2-d69f-11e2-ab72-3f0d51ec1628_story.html

Politico: Graham predicts 70-plus votes for immigration reform

By Tal Kopan

June 16, 2013

http://www.politico.com/blogs/politico-live/2013/06/graham-predicts-plus-votes-for-immigration-reform-166343.html?hp=l1_b1

Politico: Menendez: GOP ‘road to the White House’ includes pathway to citizenship

By Tal Kopan

June 16, 2013

http://www.politico.com/blogs/politico-live/2013/06/menendez-gop-road-to-the-white-house-includes-pathway-166333.html

Huffington Post: Robert Menendez: ‘Road To The White House’ For GOP Must Include Pathway To Citizenship

By Jennifer Bendery

June 16, 2013

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/16/robert-menendez-immigration-reform_n_3450164.html

OTHER RUBIO NEWS

Politico: With immigration, Marco Rubio risks D.C. insider label

By Alexander Burns and Maggie Haberman

June 16, 2013

http://www.politico.com/story/2013/06/on-immigration-marco-rubio-risks-looking-like-dc-insider-92861.html#ixzz2WTKnq4SJ

Politico: Marco Rubio’s angling prompts some Gang of Eight angst

By Manu Raju and Carrie Budoff Brown

June 16, 2013

http://www.politico.com/story/2013/06/marco-rubio-gang-of-eight-angst-92878.html#ixzz2WTUk4M00

Politico: Marco Rubio, John Boehner meet on immigration

By Jake Sherman

June 14, 2013

http://www.politico.com/story/2013/06/marco-rubio-john-boehner-immigration-92813.html

Politico (Playbook): FIRST LOOK – RYAN LIZZA in The New Yorker

June 16, 2013

http://www.politico.com/playbook/0613/playbook10932.html

New Yorker: GETTING TO MAYBE

By Ryan Lizza

June  24, 2013

http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2013/06/24/130624fa_fact_lizza

SENATE DEVELOPMENTS & ANALYSIS

Wall Street Journal: Why Sen. Kirk Voted to Block Immigration Debate

By Kristina Peterson

June 14, 2013

http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2013/06/14/why-sen-kirk-voted-to-block-immigration-debate/

Washington Post: Republicans trying to use health-care law to derail Obama’s immigration reform efforts

By David Nakamura and Sandhya Somashekhar

June 16, 2013

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/republicans-trying-to-use-health-care-law-to-derail-obamas-immigration-reform-efforts/2013/06/16/60e21138-d442-11e2-a73e-826d299ff459_story.html

Dallas Morning News: Texas’ Sen. John Cornyn wielding clout on immigration bill

By Todd Gilman

June 15, 2013

http://www.dallasnews.com/news/columnists/todd-j-gillman/20130615-todd-j.-gillman-texas-sen.-john-cornyn-wielding-clout-on-immigration-bill.ece

Politico: Immigration bill: Heritage Action blasts John Cornyn amendment

By Burgess Everett

June 14, 2013

http://www.politico.com/story/2013/06/immigration-heritage-action-blasts-john-cornyn-amendment-92822.html#ixzz2WTVJRmZu

Wall Street Journal: Senate Immigration Backers Target Ways to Win Support

By Kristina Peterson

June 14, 2013

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324049504578545443430382924.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

NPR: Visa Exchange Program Draws Scrutiny Under Immigration Bill

By Kaomi Goetz

June 17, 2013

http://www.npr.org/2013/06/17/191691600/visa-exchange-program-draws-scrutiny-under-immigration-bill

New York Times: Fears of National ID With Immigration Bill

By Eric Lipton

June 15, 2013

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/16/us/politics/as-immigration-bill-moves-forward-fear-of-an-id-system.html

USA Today: Deals for industries, immigrants tucked in Senate bill

By Fredreka Schouten

June 16, 2013

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2013/06/16/immigration-industry-deals/2425041/

ABC News: Supreme Court DOMA Ruling Looms Over Immigration Overhaul

By Abby Phillip

June 17, 2013

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/supreme-court-doma-ruling-looms-immigration-overhaul/story?id=19404559#.Ub70bOfVB8E

HOUSE DEVELOPMENTS

Washington Examiner: John Boehner won’t back immigration bill without majority GOP support

By David Drucker

June 16, 2013

http://washingtonexaminer.com/john-boehner-wont-back-immigration-bill-without-majority-gop-support/article/2531983

National Journal: House Debate on Immigration Kicks Off With Focus on Enforcement

By Rebecca Kaplan

June 16, 2013

http://www.nationaljournal.com/congress/house-debate-on-immigration-kicks-off-with-focus-on-enforcement-20130616

Houston Chronicle: Rep. Lamar Smith wants to empower local authorities to enforce federal immigration laws

June 16, 2013

http://blog.chron.com/txpotomac/2013/06/rep-lamar-smith-wants-to-empower-local-authorities-to-enforce-federal-immigration-laws/

OTHER RELATED DEVELOPMENTS

New York Times: As U.S. Plugs Border in Arizona, Crossings Shift to South Texas

By Eric Lipton and Julia Preston

June 16, 2013

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/17/us/as-us-plugs-border-in-arizona-crossings-shift-to-south-texas.html?ref=todayspaper

ABC/Univision: 50 DREAMers Who Prove Deportation Relief Was Smart

By Ted Hesson

June 15, 2013

http://abcnews.go.com/ABC_Univision/Politics/dreamers-talk-daca-deportation-relief-program-year/story?id=19405456#.Ub4YsLtXNjQ

Washington Post: Jeb Bush: U.S. economy needs immigrants because they’re ‘more fertile’

By Aaron Blake

June 14, 2013

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2013/06/14/jeb-bush-u-s-economy-needs-immigrants-because-theyre-more-fertile/

CNN: Jeb Bush, arguing for immigration reform, says immigrants ‘more fertile’

June 14, 2013

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2013/06/14/jeb-bush-arguing-for-immigration-reform-says-immigrants-more-fertile/comment-page-7/

Huffington Post: Sarah Palin Knocks Jeb Bush’s Comments On Immigration ‘As Someone Who Is Fertile Herself’

By Paige Lavender

June 15, 2013

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/15/sarah-palin-fertile_n_3447093.html?utm_hp_ref=politics

Associated Press: Bloomberg advises grads on immigration reform

June 16, 2013

http://www.sacbee.com/2013/06/16/5500800/bloomberg-advises-grads-on-immigration.html

EDITORIALS AND OPINIONS

Washington Post (Editorial): Sen. Cornyn’s border amendment is a poison pill for immigration reform

June 14, 2013

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/sen-cornyns-border-amendment-targets-immigration-reform/2013/06/14/f1f48256-d473-11e2-8cbe-1bcbee06f8f8_story.html

Chicago Tribune (Editorial): Immigration reform is more than border security

June 16, 2013

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/ct-edit-immig-20130616,0,7724149.story

Washington Post (Blog): Frustrated `gang of eight’ senators give Marco Rubio an earful

By Greg Sargent

June 14, 2013

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/wp/2013/06/14/frustrated-gang-of-eight-senators-give-marco-rubio-an-earful/

New York Times (Letters from Washington): Republicans to Watch on Immigration

By Albert Hunt

June 16, 2013

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/17/us/17iht-letter17.html

Washington Post (Blog): 10 cautions for the GOP

By Jennifer Rubin

June 16, 2013

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/right-turn/wp/2013/06/16/10-cautions-for-the-gop/

McClatchy-Tribune News Services (Opinion): Will immigration reform provide the workers America needs? No

By Rep. Steve King

June 16, 2013

http://www.denverpost.com/opinion/ci_23455744/no-immigrants-will-only-expand-bloated-welfare-state

Washington Post (Wonkblog): Is it really the GOP’s anti-immigration stances that turn off Latinos?

By Dan Hopkins

June 16, 2013

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2013/06/16/is-it-really-the-gops-anti-immigration-stances-that-turn-off-latinos/

Washington Post (Post Partisan Blog): The Insiders: In politics, a bumper sticker beats an essay

By Ed Rogers

June 14, 2013

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-partisan/wp/2013/06/14/the-insiders-in-politics-a-bumper-sticker-beats-an-essay/

Chicago Tribune (Opinion): Trying to kill immigration bill

By Marlen Garcia

June 16, 2013

http://www.suntimes.com/news/garcia/20739699-452/trying-to-kill-immigration-bill.html

The Hill (Blog): GOP must lead on immigration, not be dragged by the far right

By Cesar Vargas

June 14, 2013

http://thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/politics/305451-gop-must-lead-on-immigration-not-be-dragged-by-the-far-right#ixzz2WTVpigBU

Orlando Sentinel (Opinion): The Front Burner: Bipartisan Senate bill would benefit newcomers, citizens

By Gregory Walton

June 14, 2013

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/opinion/os-ed-front-burner-immigration-bill-pro-20130613,0,2294900.story

LOCAL

The Columbus Dispatch: Ohioans have personal stake in immigration reform

By Jessica Wehrman and Joe Hallet

June 17, 2013

http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2013/06/17/ohioans-have-stake-in-reform.html

Daily Herald (Opinion): DREAMs for our fathers and mothers, too

By Carlos Robles

June 14, 2013

http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20130614/discuss/706149950/

Salt Lake Tribune (Opinion): Immigration bill boost in Utah County

By Paul Rolly

June 15, 2013

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/opinion/56455450-82/immigration-county-utah-bramble.html.csp

Arizona Republic (Opinion): Time is right for immigration reform

By Will Rousseau

June 16, 2013

http://www.azcentral.com/opinions/articles/20130614time-right-migrant-reform.html

June 12, 2013

June 11, 2013

Dear Colleague,

As the Senate prepares to take up S.744, the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act, as amended, we write to draw your attention to the strong border security provisions in the bill. As chairmen of the Judiciary Committee and the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, we have conducted extensive oversight of the Department of Homeland Security and its enforcement record. The United States has made significant progress on border security and immigration enforcement in recent years, and this bill reinforces and advances that progress in many ways.

The Wall Street Journal editorial board recently explained just how far we have come since the last time that the Senate considered comprehensive immigration reform:

The number of border patrol agents has grown to a small army of 21,370, or triple the personnel employed as recently as the Clinton Presidency. There are an additional 21,000 Customs and Border Protection officers.

The feds have built some 300 radar and camera towers as well as 650 miles of single, double and in some places triple fencing. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) now has the ability to detain 34,000 criminals and aliens at one time. The Border Patrol deploys military-style vehicles, 276 aircraft, nearly 300 marine vessels, along with state-of-the-art surveillance.

Meanwhile, illegal entries nationwide are at four-decade lows. Apprehensions of illegal entrants exceeded 1.1 million in 2005 but by 2012 had fallen by two-thirds to 365,000, the lowest level since 1971 with the exception of 2011, the previous 40-year low.

Last year the Government Accountability Office (GAO) examined federal data on “estimated known illegal entries” across the Mexican border. The numbers were way down nearly everywhere. In San Diego, illegal entries fell to about 55,000 in 2011 from more than 265,000 in 2006. In Tucson—the gateway to Arizona—illegal entries fell to about 200,000 from 600,000 over those years. And in El Paso illegal crossings tumbled to 30,000 a year from more than 350,000.

Even more dramatic is GAO’s analysis of illegals who escape through the enforcement net, a statistic called “got aways.” In nine major Southern border crossing areas, including the main gateways of Tucson, San Diego and the Rio Grande, got aways fell to an estimated 86,000 in 2011 from 615,000 in 2006. That’s an 86% decline in foreigners who successfully snuck into the country from Mexico.

Border Security Reality Check, Wall Street Journal (May 2, 2013).

Let there be no mistake: We have poured billions of dollars into border security over the past decade. In fact, according to a recent Migration Policy Institute report, we spend more money on enforcing our immigration and customs laws—$18 billion each year—than we do on all other federal law enforcement agencies combined. The result of this unprecedented investment of taxpayer money is that, as Secretary Napolitano has told us, our borders are more secure than they have ever been.

The bill, as amended, builds on these successes by allocating substantial additional resources to border security. As outlined in the Senate Judiciary Committee’s report on the bill, S.744, as amended, appropriates up to $6.5 billion to secure the border beyond current spending levels; authorizes 3,500 additional Customs and Border Protection officers for our ports of entry; permits the deployment of the National Guard to the Southwest border region; significantly expands border security infrastructure, such as Border Patrol stations and forward operating bases; calls for the further use of technology at the border, including additional unarmed unmanned aerial vehicles; provides additional resources for criminal prosecutions of those unlawfully crossing the border; and authorizes reimbursements to State, local and tribal governments for their costs related to illegal immigration.

In addition to providing these new resources and authorities to enhance our border security operations, the bill also enhances the accountability of our border officials. The bill, as amended, establishes a statutory goal, known as the “effectiveness rate,” of preventing 90 percent of illegal entries at the border, and requires DHS to report to Congress whether it is achieving this rate. It also instructs DHS to achieve persistent surveillance over the border, so that the American public and Congress can know exactly how many people are trying to cross the border illegally each year. If these statutory goals are not met within 5 years, the bill establishes a bipartisan Southern Border Security Commission, with members appointed by the President, both Houses of Congress, and the Governors of our border states. This Commission will be charged with developing further concrete plans to meet the statutory goals in the bill, and is provided with an additional $2 billion to carry out its plan. During the Senate Judiciary Committee’s markup of the bill, the Committee adopted additional provisions to strengthen border security, such as an amendment offered by Senator Grassley to expand the bill’s 90% effectiveness rate and persistent surveillance goals to cover the entire Southern border, not just its high-risk sectors.

The bill, as amended, also establishes tough triggers that will ensure additional border security steps are taken before the earned path to legalization can begin. Specifically, DHS must provide to Congress a Comprehensive Southern Border Security Strategy and a Southern Border Fencing Strategy that lay out exactly how it will meet the statutory goals outlined above before it can begin to register undocumented individuals for provisional status. These Registered Provisional Immigrants, in turn, will be allowed to apply for green cards after 10 years—but only after:

1. the Secretary certifies that the Comprehensive Southern Border Security Strategy is substantially deployed and substantially operational;
2. the Secretary certifies that the Southern Border Fencing Strategy is implemented and substantially completed;
3. DHS has implemented a mandatory employment verification system to be used by all employers; and
4. DHS is using an electronic exit system at air and seaports based on machine-readable travel documents to better identify individuals who overstay their visas by tracking the departures of non-citizens.

The bill’s comprehensive approach to immigration reform will also enhance border security, by reducing the incentives that lead people to come here illegally. We need to stop focusing our attention on the symptoms, and start dealing with the underlying root causes in a way that is tough, practical, and fair. The Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act, as amended, accomplishes that goal. First, undocumented individuals will find it much more difficult to work, because the bill requires a nationwide electronic employment verification system and enhances penalties for employers who hire undocumented workers. Second, the bill, as amended, creates a more rational immigration system that provides legal avenues for eligible individuals to enter the country for work or to join their family members. As former Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff wrote, “without expanded legal immigration to address the needs of the labor market, border security will be harder and more expensive to achieve” (Obama’s Immigration Agenda, The Washington Post, Feb. 14, 2013). By making it more difficult for employers to hire undocumented workers, creating legal ways to enter the country for immigrants coming for legitimate reasons, and allowing eligible undocumented individuals to earn a path to citizenship, this bill will allow the Department of Homeland Security to focus its efforts on addressing threats to our national security and public safety.

In sum, S.744, as amended, will dramatically reduce illegal immigration and improve national security. We look forward to considering additional ideas to improve border security further during Senate floor consideration, especially those that present solutions that are effective, workable, affordable, and flexible enough to allow the Department of Homeland Security to deploy the right resources where they are needed, without creating undue delays to prevent undocumented individuals from earning a path to citizenship. As we continue to build on the unprecedented investments that have been made to secure our borders, we must ensure that extreme or unworkable proposals do not become a barrier to moving forward on comprehensive reforms that are also critical to securing our borders. These reforms include a path to citizenship for the undocumented in the United States who work, pay taxes, learn English, pass criminal background checks, pay substantial fines, and get in line behind those who applied to come here legally and have been waiting for years.

The Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act, as amended, makes important improvements to our immigration system that will strengthen national security and benefit our nation as a whole. We look forward to working with you as the Senate considers this legislation and, hopefully, improves it.

Sincerely,

___________________ ___________________

PATRICK LEAHY TOM CARPER
Chairman                     Chairman
Senate Judiciary Committee Senate Homeland Security and

Governmental Affairs Committee

It’s been six years since the full Senate considered an overhaul of America’s immigration system. Since then I have witnessed countless instances of what that delay has meant. I’ve seen American families torn apart by deportation and promising young scientists at America’s finest research institutions blocked by interminable visa backlogs. I’ve watched American companies stagnate because of arbitrary limits on visas for high skilled workers. My fellow immigration attorneys and I have done our best to help a multitude of men, women and children hopelessly caught in the dysfunctional web of archaic laws and regulations that make up America’s broken immigration system.

Yet, sitting in Cleveland, Ohio today, I’m more hopeful than ever that comprehensive reform will become a reality this year. The pundits tell us that the political stars have aligned. President Obama wants to make good on his promise to Latino voters and build a second term legacy. And the Republicans learned last November that a platform limited to “self-deportation” and racial profiling laws are a ticket to electoral disaster.

But my optimism is based less on confluence of political interests than it is the American people. I see an understanding for why immigration reform is necessary around Ohio and the country. Like in Youngstown, Ohio where the renewed vitality of the American auto industry is creating jobs and folks want the immigration problem fixed so that their families remain safe, and local businesses can thrive.

Other cities in Ohio offer the same feeling, like Painesville, Canton, and Freemont Ohio where immigration reform would free American families from the fear of agents invading their homes to arrest an undocumented spouse, parent, or sibling. Immigration reform could mean that the best days may lay ahead for rustbelt cities like Cleveland, Pittsburgh and Detroit where civic leaders could attract global talent if our nation develops an immigration policy that welcomes, rather than rebuffs, foreign investors, innovators, and entrepreneurs.

Over the past weeks, Republicans and Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee analyzed, criticized and improved the bill originally introduced by the “Gang of Eight.” That was, in large part, due to the masterful leadership of Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and his commitment to an open and bipartisan process. Yet as I sat in the Judiciary Committee hearing room I couldn’t help but wonder whether the bill’s chief opponents, Senators Grassley (R-IA), Sessions (R-AL), Cornyn (R-TX) and Cruz (R-TX) would be so bitterly opposed to its core principles, including a roadmap to citizenship, if they knew the undocumented as individuals, not faceless “illegal aliens.” I don’t think these senators could help but respect strong women, like “Lenore” who toils day after day cleaning houses and washing dishes so she can give her four U.S. citizen daughters a better life. Or Manuel, a DREAMer, who was brought to the U.S. from Germany as a child, virtually abandoned, and nearly deported six months before his high school graduation. How could anyone not be impressed by the sheer grit, determination and hard work of these aspiring Americans?

The immigration legislation that is now come before the full Senate is a true compromise; it has provisions that will disappoint everyone. Immigration reform advocates will not like the expanded “triggers” which could delay legalization for years. They’ll also be disappointed by a narrower, less inclusive, path to citizenship than they’d hoped for, by cuts in family immigration, and by the exclusion of same-sex partners of U.S. citizens and lawful residents. Here in America’s heartland that means people like “Steve”, an Iraq war veteran who risked his life for the country he loves, will not be able to spend his life with the person he loves.

Yet, while it’s far from perfect, the immigration overhaul that now goes to the Senate floor is a good bill. It’s the toughest border security measure ever considered by Congress and makes much needed fixes to America’s outdated visa system — including an emphasis on visas for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math graduates. It makes it harder for employers to game the system by requiring electronic verification of employment authorization, and it includes an arduous, but reasonable, road to citizenship for the 11 million unauthorized immigrants currently living in the shadows.

Last summer, after President Obama announced a temporary reprieve from deportation for the promising undocumented youth known as DREAMERs, I was asked to explain the process to a group in a rural Ohio town. A young girl sitting in the front row sheepishly raised her hand to ask whether the deferral meant she could apply to college. When I answered yes, I saw something I hadn’t seen on an undocumented face in years — a smile born of hope.

Things are indeed different this time around. America is ready for comprehensive immigration reform.

Mark Levin, 6/7/13, 9:17 AM, Administration Should Be Focused On Securing Border, Not Eavesdropping On Americans

LEVIN: Meanwhile, they won’t secure the border. Meanwhile, they won’t deport criminals. This is crazy, folks. And yet it makes sense, depending on what your objectives: to quiet the people. To prevent legitimate, lawful, civil dissent. To intimidate people — if not directly, indirectly. That’s what’s going on here. They’re not interested in securing the border or doing these other things. That doesn’t mean anything.

It’s we the people, the citizen. We are the target. We’re the target. Not the criminal, not the illegal alien. And when it comes to something like this, not even the terrorist. We’re the target.

Laura Ingraham, 6/10/13, 11:09 AM, Amnesty Won’t Help Our Country

INGRAHAM: How is amnesty going to help our country? Because last time I checked, our middle class dreamed big too. We dreamed big, we dreamed really big, to have a better way of life […] The guest worker program that’s in this immigration bill, same thing, people are going to come here and they’re just gonna stay! Just like these people came, they came illegally, they had children, they stayed. And now, the really conservative Sacramento Bee is telling us that they’re living below the poverty line, the racial-ethnic group with the most unemployment and the low wages is sadly the Latino people. How will more people who are clearly coming here, and they’re gonna keep coming here, and the people amnestied, how is that going to make life better for the American people?

Print

Daily Caller: Crossroads GPS launches $100,000 ad campaign promoting Senate immigration bill

Daily Caller: Senators’ immigration votes may be shaped by state economies

Daily Caller: An Alternative to the Gang of 8?

Daily Caller: Senate begins immigration debate, spurs high stakes fight

Breitbart: False: Obama Claims Immigration Bill Requires Illegals To Learn English

Breitbart: Cornyn Amendment To Immigration Bill Divides Gang Of Eight

Breitbart: Sen. Ayotte (R-NH) Will Support Immigration Bill

Red State: Another Schumer Republican Who Lied To Get Elected

Red State: A Primer On The Upcoming Senate Immigration Debate

WND: Campaign Demands Christians Give ‘Dignity’ To Illegals

Washington Examiner: Byron York: Ted Cruz Opens Up On Immigration

Washington Times: Sen. Harry Reid Refuses To Bend On Core Of ‘Gang Of Eight’ Immigration Bill

Republican Reaction

Politico: Ayotte Endorses Immigration Bill

Reuters: Senator Paul Says He’s Open To Voting For Immigration Bill

LA Times: Sen. Sessions On Immigration Bill’s Broken Promises

Fox News Latino: House Speaker John Boehner Aims To Have Immigration Reform Bill By Summer

Anti-Immigrant Commentary

ALIPAC: The Era Of Treating Illegal Aliens As “Newly Arrived Refugees” MUST END!

ALIPAC: Senate Immigration Bill Is A Job Killer

CIS: Rubio, McCain, Reid Talk Strategy On Reform Bill

CIS: Soros’ Prophets Of Baal

ImmigrationReform.com: New State Polls: Voters Overwhelmingly Oppose Amnesty

NumbersUSA: When Senate Staffers Arrive In Offices Mon. Morn, Make Sure They Encounter Huge Piles Of Faxes Opposing The Tues. Amnesty Vote

NumbersUSA: Amnesty Vote In Senate On Tuesday; Call Your Senators Now At 888-978-3094

Media Matters Work

Right-Wing Media Plead With Rubio To “Walk Away” From Senate Immigration Reform Bill

Reblogged from MSNBC:

By Alexander Bolton

June 8, 2013

http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/304311-immigration-reform-hinges-on-rubio-proposals-for-border-security#ixzz2VkpS0GnF

National Journal: The Two Faces of Marco Rubio

By Rebecca Kaplan

June 10, 2013

http://www.nationaljournal.com/magazine/the-two-faces-of-marco-rubio-20130606

Bloomberg: Top Democrats Ready to Oppose Views to Save Immigration

By Kathleen Hunter

June 9, 2013

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-06-10/top-democrats-ready-to-oppose-views-to-save-immigration.html

Talking Points Memo: GOP In A Bind As Dems Reject Cornyn’s Immigration Trigger

By Sahil Kapur

June 10, 2013

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2013/06/harry-reid-rejects-cornyn-border-security-amendment.php

Daily Beast: Moment of Truth Approaches for Immigration Reform

By Patricia Murphy

June 10, 2013

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/06/10/moment-of-truth-approaches-for-immigration-reform.html

MSNBC: Things are getting ugly fast for immigration reform

By Benjy Sarlin

June 7, 2013

http://tv.msnbc.com/2013/06/07/things-are-getting-ugly-fast-for-immigration-reform/

Yahoo News: A rocky week for immigration reform

By Liz Goodwin

June 7, 2013

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/ticket/rocky-week-immigration-reform-201742113.html

Reuters: U.S. Senate takes up contentious immigration issue

By Richard Cowan and Thomas Ferraro

June 7, 2013

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/06/07/us-usa-immigration-idUSBRE9560WT20130607

Arizona Republic: Immigration legislation worries ‘dreamers’

By Rebekah Sanders and Daniel Gonzalez

June 8, 2013

http://www.azcentral.com/news/politics/articles/20130607immigration-legislation-worries-dreamers.html

Voxxi: Steve King’s Amendment To The Immigration Bill Worsens The GOP’s Latino Problem

By Griselda Nevarez

June 8, 2013

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/08/steve-kings-amendment-latino_n_3407798.html?utm_hp_ref=politics&ir=Politics

Northern Voices Online: Immigration reforms discussion getting ugly

By Parwinder Sandhu

June 8, 2013

http://nvonews.com/2013/06/08/immigration-reforms-2012-news-things-are-getting-ugly/

Washington Post: The story of Michelle Obama and her heckler

By Peter Wallsten

June 7, 2013

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2013/06/07/michelle-obama-and-the-heckler-heres-the-backstory/

SUNDAY SHOWS: AYOTTE ENDORSES REFORM; REID ON AL PUNTO; AND PAUL ON FOX NEWS SUNDAY

Associated Press: Ayotte to back immigration overhaul

June 9, 2013

http://www.bostonglobe.com/news/politics/2013/06/09/ayotte-back-immigration-overhaul/diwO0btCgorjzBVx6qyThI/story.html

CBS: Ayotte announces critical GOP support for Senate immigration bill

By Lindsey Boerma

June 9, 2013

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-3460_162-57588391/ayotte-announces-critical-gop-support-for-senate-immigration-bill/

Politico: Ayotte endorses immigration bill

By Jonathan Topaz

June 9, 2013

http://www.politico.com/blogs/politico-live/2013/06/ayotte-endorses-immigration-bill-165757.html

Politico: Harry Reid blasts John Cornyn ‘poison pill’

By Burgess Everett

June 9, 2013

http://www.politico.com/story/2013/06/harry-reid-john-cornyn-immigration-bill-92463.html

Reuters: Senator Paul says he’s open to voting for immigration bill

By Caren Bohan

June 9, 2013

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/06/09/us-usa-immigration-paul-idUSBRE95808D20130609

The Hill: Rand Paul says he’s key to uniting Senate, House on immigration

By Megan Wilson

June 9, 2013

http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/304357-paul-says-hes-key-to-bridging-senate-house-gap-on-immigration-#ixzz2VknixrCN

FRIDAY SENATE FLOOR DEBATE RECAP & ANALYSIS

Washington Post: Intense debate in Senate over immigration bill

By David Nakamura and Rosalind Helderman

June 8, 2013

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/intense-debate-in-senate-over-immigration-bill/2013/06/08/896f86de-cf89-11e2-8845-d970ccb04497_story.html

NBC News: They’re off! Immigration debate begins on Senate floor

By Carrie Dann

June 7, 2013

http://firstread.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/06/07/18829022-theyre-off-immigration-debate-begins-on-senate-floor?lite

USA Today: Critics lash out at immigration bill on Senate floor

By Alan Gomez

June 7, 2013

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2013/06/07/senate-begins-immigration-debate/2399875/

Los Angeles Times: As Senate takes up immigration reform, land mines lurk

By Lisa Moscaro and Brian Bennett

June 8, 2013

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-immigration-congress-20130609,0,1663771.story

MSNBC: Immigration reform faces rough path forward

June 7, 2013

http://video.msnbc.msn.com/all-in-/52139560#52139560

Politico: Marco Rubio more upbeat on immigration bill

By Seung Min Kim

June 7, 2013

http://www.politico.com/story/2013/06/marco-rubio-immigration-bill-92431.html

Politico: John Cornyn, not Marco Rubio, drafted border amendment

By Burgess Everett

June 7, 2013

http://www.politico.com/story/2013/06/john-cornyn-not-marco-rubio-drafted-border-amendment-92409.html#ixzz2Vljo3HZW

HOUSE STATE OF PLAY

Politico: John Boehner begins to sketch immigration plan

By Seung Min Kim and Jake Sherman

June 9, 2013

http://www.politico.com/story/2013/06/john-boehner-immigration-plan-92471.html

The Hill: Three possible roads ahead for immigration reform in the House

By Russell Berman

June 8, 2013

http://thehill.com/homenews/house/304323-three-possible-roads-for-immigration-reform-in-the-house#ixzz2VkoategQ

USA Today: Idaho Republican’s exit worries immigration advocates

By Alan Gomez

June 9, 2013

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2013/06/09/senate-house-immigration-benefits/2385449/

Wall Street Journal: GOP Ground Shifts on Immigration

By Kristina Peterson

June 7, 2013

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324069104578529390183002414.html?KEYWORDS=immigration

ANALYSIS: ROAD AHEAD IN HOUSE AND SENATE

New York Times: Senate Digs In for Long Battle on Immigrants

By Michael Shear and Ashley Parker

June 9, 2013

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/10/us/politics/immigration-bill-debate-nears-in-senate.html?_r=0

Las Vegas Sun: Reid is gearing up for onslaught of ‘poison pill’ amendments to immigration bill

By Karoun Demirjian

June 10, 2013

http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2013/jun/10/reid-gearing-onslaught-poison-pill-amendments-immi/#ixzz2Voe0RYE7

CBS: Immigration: House, Senate looking for common ground

By Lindsey Boerma

June 10, 2013

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-250_162-57588418/immigration-house-senate-looking-for-common-ground/

Politico: ‘Assimilation’ a flash point in immigration debate

By Tarini Parti

June 10, 2013

http://www.politico.com/story/2013/06/assimilation-a-flash-point-in-immigration-debate-92469.html

Yahoo News: Ted Cruz: Obama biggest obstacle to immigration reform, calls himself a ‘proud wacko bird’

By Jeff Zeleny, Richard Coolidge and Jordan Phelps

June 10, 2013

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/power-players-abc-news/ted-cruz-obama-biggest-obstacle-immigration-reform-calls-112202690.html

Roll Call: Immigration Bill Vote Counting Is a Three-Dimensional Chess Game

By David Hawkings

June 9, 2013

http://blogs.rollcall.com/hawkings/immigration-bill-vote-counting-is-a-three-dimensional-chess-game/

Associated Press: What to look for in Senate immigration debate

By David Espo

June 10, 2013

http://www.boston.com/business/news/2013/06/10/what-look-for-senate-immigration-debate/bFu4a5y7hk7yc9DtTwRqTL/story.html

IMMIGRATION OPPONENTS SPEAK OUT

Washington Examiner: On immigration, an opposition strategy emerges: Hold Gang to its own words

By Byron York

June 10, 2013

http://washingtonexaminer.com/on-immigration-an-opposition-strategy-emerges-hold-gang-to-its-own-words/article/2531493/?page=1&referrer=http://www.powerlineblog.com/

Breitbart: King: House Conservatives Ready to Fight Senate Immigration Bill

By Matthew Boyle

June 7, 2013

http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2013/06/06/Steve-King-House-conservatives-are-ready-to-fight-against-Senate-bill

OBAMA TALKS IMMIGRATION IN WEEKLY ADDRESS

CBS News: Obama: Pass immigration reform by “end of the summer”

By Jake Miller

June 8, 2013

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-250_162-57588342/obama-pass-immigration-reform-by-end-of-the-summer/

OTHER RELATED DEVELOPMENTS

NPR: Same-Sex Couple Seeks Immigration Relief From High Court

By Liz Halloran

June 9, 2013

http://www.npr.org/2013/06/06/189202775/same-sex-couple-seeks-immigration-relief-from-high-court

Real Clear Politics: Bill Maher: Immigration Reform Will “Just Create More Democrats”

June 7, 2013

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2013/06/08/bill_maher_immigration_reform_will_just_create_more_democrats.html

New York Times: Near the Border, a Few Deputies Are Outnumbered by Drugs and Bodies

By Mario Koran

June 9, 2013

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/10/us/in-ajo-ariz-deputies-outnumbered-by-drugs-and-bodies.html?ref=todayspaper

EDITORIALS AND OPINIONS

New York Times (Editorial): Immigration Headwinds

June 8, 2013

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/09/opinion/sunday/immigration-reform-headwinds-in-the-senate.html?_r=0

Boston Herald (Editorial): The time has come

June 10, 2013

http://bostonherald.com/news_opinion/opinion/editorials/2013/06/editorial_the_time_has_come

USA Today (Editorial): Immigration reform bill already tough enough

June 9, 2013

http://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2013/06/09/immigration-reform-gang-of-eight-editorials-debates/2406309/

USA Today (Opinion): ‘Gang of 8′ won’t secure our border

By Sen. John Cornyn

June 9, 2013

http://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2013/06/09/immigration-border-security-sen-john-cornyn/2406301/

Los Angeles Times (Opinion): Sen. Sessions on immigration bill’s broken promises: The plan proposed by the ‘Gang of Eight’ fails on every major front.

By Sen. Jeff Session

June 10, 2013

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-sessions-immigration-reform-20130610,0,4106824.story

Washington Post (Blog): Dems vow hard line in immigration reform’s next phase

By Greg Sargent

June 7, 2013

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/wp/2013/06/07/dems-vow-hard-line-in-immigration-reforms-next-phase/

Statesman Journal (Opinion): Marco Rubio’s conservative values

By Ruben Navarrette

June 9, 2013

http://www.statesmanjournal.com/article/20130610/OPINION/306110005/Navarrette-Marco-Rubio-s-conservative-values

New Hampshire Union Leader: Why Republicans should support immigration reform

By Steve Duprey, John Stabile, Wayne Semprini, Fergus Cullen and Wayne MacDonald

June 7, 2013

http://www.unionleader.com/article/20130607/OPINION02/130609427

Huffington Post (Blog): The Obligation of Balancing Tradition and Reform

By Mee Moua

June 7, 2013

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mee-moua/the-obligation-of-balanci_b_3399315.html

USA Today (Opinion): Catholic bishops: Fix unjust immigration system

By Timothy Dolan

June 9, 2013

http://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2013/06/09/immigration-catholics-bishops-column/2397239/

Arizona Republic (Opinion): Make border deaths part of immigration debate

By Linda Valdez

June 7, 2013

http://www.azcentral.com/insiders/valdez/2013/06/07/make-border-deaths-part-of-immigration-debate/

LOCAL

Huffington Post Florida: Sit-In Protest At Marco Rubio’s Office Focused On Amendement To Immigration Reform Bill (PHOTOS, VIDEO)

By Janie Campbell

June 7, 2013

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/07/sit-in-at-marco-rubios-office_n_3403490.html?utm_hp_ref=miami