REFLECTIONS AND PERSPECTIVES ON IMMIGRATION

Today I would like to reflect on the amazing year 2010 turned out to be in shaping American immigration law and policy and the perspective on immigration for 2011 with a new Republican controlled House of Representatives.

In 2010, Arizona Governor Jan Brewer signed SB 1070 into law;
Congress failed to pass the DREAM Act during the passage of the post-election lame duck session; Congress failed to pass Comprehensive Immigration Reform; the Obama Administration deported 392,862 people; Birthright citizenship were attacked;
Third Circuit held Hazleton Ordinance preempted; victory in the U.S. Supreme Court, Padilla v. Kentucky; foreign-born population grew in the United States; Immigrant Visa Retrogression continued;
Congress approved a measure to increase immigration enforcement;
Employers were audited to limit the hiring of illegal immigrants...

In a matter of weeks, Republicans are expected to take control of the House of Representatives and to lead the main subcommittee on immigration in the 2011. 

So, I suppose the natural follow-up question is, "Will the 112th Congress pass comprehensive immigration reform ?" The general consensus is the 112th Congress will not be friendly to pro-immigrant advocates.  Republican Steve King of Iowa, a Tea Party conservative, who opposes to any path to legalization for illegal immigrants, could become the new chairman of the House Immigration Subcommittee. Despite certain patterns are becoming evident, pro-immigrant advocates can not bring themselves to walking away from long pending comprehensive immigration reform. 

I hope 2011 proves to be your best year yet!