Yesterday we wrote about Rep. Raul Labrador (R-ID), who apparently believes that it’s a good idea to support immigration reform that legalizes immigrants—but never gives them the opportunity to apply for citizenship.  As arguments yesterday made clear, withholding citizenship in immigration reform is bad for the economy, unfair, and... Continue »
In response to Rep. Raul Labrador (R-IA)’s comments yesterday, commentators and bloggers continue to criticize Republicans who hold that there can be legalization without citizenship.  As Markos Moulitsas wrote this week, “if they’re going to send that message, they might as well just obstruct because that’s not going... Continue »
In poll after poll, Americans consistently demonstrate they believe allowing the 11 million undocumented immigrants in the United States to pursue citizenship is a sensible position.  When given a choice, they choose full citizenship for the undocumented over second-class status.  Here are the most recent polls. QUINNIPIAC (February 2013)... Continue »
Today, leaders from the AFL-CIO hosted a press call to announce their campaign for immigration reform. From the press release: Comprehensive immigration reform with a road map to citizenship is essential to all of America’s workers, AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka said in a telephone press conference today, as he... Continue »
Majority of Americans want path to citizenship; only 10% favor legalization without citizenship. Asked about policy options for undocumented immigrants currently in the U.S., 56% say that the undocumented should be allowed to stay in the United States and eventually apply for U.S. citizenship. Thirty percent believe that all undocumented... Continue »
As we noted earlier, that immigration reform legislation should include a path to citizenship for the 11 million is a view shared by the American people and key players across the political spectrum. The holdouts are some House Republicans. Rep. Raúl Labrador made that clear today, via Elise Foley: Rep. Raúl... Continue »
Citizenship is the mainstream position in the immigration debate.  Despite attempts by House Judiciary Committee Chairman Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-VA), Rep. Raul Labrador (R-ID), and others to position earned citizenship as an “extreme” position, the opposite is the case – the burgeoning push for “no citizenship” is the outlier position, outside... Continue »