Who’s the mega-genius that came up with this idea?
(Politico) — Sen. Chuck Schumer is attempting to revive moribund efforts to pass a comprehensive immigration bill, telling POLITICO Monday that he will hold a hearing next week focused on the economic argument for an immigration overhaul.
It’s a subtle shift in emphasis for immigration reform advocates, who met recently with Schumer (D-N.Y.) to plot a strategy.
“We decided we ought to start highlighting the fact that immigration creates jobs rather than takes them away,” Schumer, the No. 3 Senate leader, said in an interview. “Everyone agreed that is how we are going to start talking about immigration, as a job creator.”
The change in emphasis capitalizes on an all-consuming focus in Washington on the economy. President Barack Obama spent several weeks in the spring pushing for immigration reform, including a speech that highlighted the economic benefits, but the issue has been overshadowed by budget negotiations and stalled by a Republican-controlled House.
The dismal job reports have also soured efforts to pass a bill that would allow the country’s estimated 11 million illegal immigrants to earn citizenship. The Center for Immigration Studies, which favors stricter immigration rules, released a report last month pointing to the rising unemployment rate as an argument for a further crackdown on illegal immigration.