Not impressed. The Democrats are planning on trying to push through either comprehensive immigration reform again or the DREAM Act, perhaps coupled with new enforcement measures. I see zero chance of passage and the timing is probably designed to remind voters that the while the Democrats haven't delivered on immigration, they're at least trying. But are they really trying? Immigration reform was not brought up early in this President's term when he had maximum leverage. And given that he promised to deal with immigration reform in his first year, this is not just sour grapes.
Furthermore, the President has overseen the biggest crackdown on illegal immigration in history and shrugged his shoulders and blamed Congress when he was urged to take administrative actions within his perview. The President has not been honest when he has said only Congress can fix problems in the immigration system. He has had solutions presented to him that didn't require legislation and has rejected them because he did not want to take the political heat that would come if he bypassed the dysfunctional Congress.
Finally, the Democrats had the opportunity to end the use of the filibuster which would have meant that only 50% would have been needed to pass immigration reform rather than 60%. The Republicans have filibustered more in the last three years than all Congresses in the last 60 put together. Fear of not having the filibuster as a tool if the Democrats ended up in the minority likely led to this strategic decision. But this is putting party ahead of country and is no excuse for allowing the political system to remain paralyzed.
Don't get me wrong. I'm not rooting for Republican victories that would result in anti-immigrants gaining more power than they already have. But I also think Democrats should be measured on what they actual accomplish, not just on what they say.
