Odd given Perry's plea for humanity in dealing with illegally present immigrants. Does Arpaio see the writing on the wall?

This, according to "some analysts" interviewed by the Arizona Republic. But I would contend that immigration was never a top issue for voters. Or at least most voters. Mainly loud people who managed to convince supposedly savvy politicians that their views represented more than just those of extremists. But there is little evidence to show that immigration ever was a factor that tipped elections to anti-immigrants. The one large group that votes based on immigration positions is the Hispanic community and we know how that's turned out for the GOP. But it seems that no matter how little evidence there is to support the notion that being anti-immigrant is good politics, only a handful of Republicans are out there on the pro side of the immigration issue

ImmigrationVoice, the skilled workers advocacy organization (I serve on their board of outside advisors by the way) is reporting that the Fairness for High Skilled Immigrants Act (HR 3012), the bill which would eliminate per country quotas that discriminate against Indians and other nationals, is headed for a vote in the full House of Represenatives tomorrow evening. It still faces an uncertain future as it moves to the Senate, but congrats to IV for its work advocating for this much needed legislation. If you're not an IV member, consider joining and contributing.

It turns out that the major drag on Romney's campaign - that he has completely reversed himself on a number of issues in order to win over conservatives - also applies to immigration. Bloomberg has published details of a 2006 interview with the then Massachusetts governor:

Romney, who at the time hadn’t yet declared his first presidential candidacy for 2008, told reporters and editors in Bloomberg News’s Washington bureau that the 11 million immigrants who entered the U.S. illegally “are not going to be rounded up and box-carred out.” Law-abiding people who pay taxes, learn English and don’t rely on government benefits should be allowed to “get in line” to apply for citizenship, he said.

“We need to begin a process of registering those people, some being returned, and some beginning the process of applying for citizenship and establishing legal status,” Romney said during the March 29, 2006, session.

The comments contrast with the position Romney took last week when he challenged Gingrich’s assertion during a televised debate that the U.S. should have a “humane” immigration policy that allows some people who entered the country illegally long ago, have no criminal record, and have family, civic and religious ties to stay and get legal status. Romney called the approach “amnesty” and a magnet for illegality.