Immigration Reform Takes a Back Seat in Congress

September 9, 2013

The New York Times is reporting that immigration reform may not be taken up by the House of Representatives until the end of the year:

“Congress is likely to postpone consideration of an immigration overhaul until the end of the year, if not longer, even as advocates are preparing for an all-out, urgent push this fall to win their longstanding goal of a path to citizenship for millions of immigrants here illegally.

In Washington, the sudden debate over military action in Syria and a looming face-off with President Obama over the budget and the nation’s borrowing limit have shot to the top of the legislative agenda, while Republican angst about losing Hispanic voters in the 2012 presidential campaign has faded.”

Immigration reform advocates have been planning to hold rallies in 40 cities October 5th-8th. Those rallies will take on a new importance in light of this delay, with immigration reform now running the risk of falling off the agenda altogether.

---