President Obama said in a speech that followed this re-election that “comprehensive” immigration reform legislation will be on Capitol Hill shortly after Inauguration Day. This comment echoes the sentiment when he also said, “I was not re-elected to enjoy re-election.” Although the president did not comply with much of the immigration policy in his first term, he did enact the “Deferred Action Childhood Arrival” policy in which young immigrants who meet certain criteria will not have to face deportation during two years.
On the other side of the island, Marco Rubio said in a speech in Iowa that he wants to see “an immigration law that works.” “Unfortunately, the Conservatives have done an excellent job of defining what we are against, but not good enough at what we are for,” he said. In later remarks, he said: “It’s difficult to get people to listen to you … if they think you want to deport their grandmother. Politics also matter, but rhetoric is important.”
It is clear that the issue of immigration will be addressed, probably as early as 2013. The Hispanic vote was largely for the president, in the last election, and voters are likely to want attention as a result of his support for. Although the president claims that more illegal immigrants were deported than ever during his first term, deportation is unlikely to be at the center of his immigration reform.
Also at stake in the immigration discussion is the “fiscal cliff” and the country’s economic situation. Far fewer immigrants have come to the United States in the past four years because there were fewer jobs to go to. Unless the unemployment situation improves, there will be less demand for workers from other countries.
Marco Rubio emphasized that he does not see the tax increase as a way to boost the economy and create jobs. When asked if he would support a compromise that included tax increases, he said he would “not vote for anything that is not a solution.”
President Obama reiterated his intention to raise taxes on top earners and possibly allow Republicans to include the elimination of some tax deductions. These measures address the income side of the equation. Attention must also be paid to spending cuts if the federal budget is to be balanced.
If and when comprehensive immigration reform hits the floor of Congress, the main issues will be the economy, the path to citizenship for those already in the country, and possible future work programs.