Republicans dust off 'border first' excuses to derail immigration framework

Daily Kos Staff

Monday December 19, 2022 · 12:55 PM PST

2022/12/19 · 12:55

People holding signs, march during the 17th Annual Posada for Immigration Reform outside the US Citizenship and Immigration Services Center in Chicago on December 16, 2022. - Hosted by The Archdiocese of Chicago Office of Human Dignity and Solidarity-Immigration Ministry the posada pilgrimage symbolizing Mary and Josephs journey to Bethlehem and their traveling from place to place seeking rest and shelter before the birth of Jesus Christ. The Chicago observance is modeled on a centuries-old tradition of posada throughout Mexico and Guatemala. (Photo by KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI / AFP) (Photo by KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI/AFP via Getty Images) — "People holding signs, march during the 17th Annual Posada for Immigration Reform outside the US Citizenship and Immigration Services Center in Chicago on December 16, 2022."

The proposed immigration framework that would have put eligible young immigrants onto a path to legalization was reportedly dead in the water as of late last week, after Republicans failed to support it despite the carrot of harsh border measures intended to win their votes. It would have in fact given them exactly what they’ve wanted: The proposal would have extended the Title 42 policy that Republicans are in court right now fighting to keep in place. Following news that the Thom Tillis and Kyrsten Sinema framework was done, advocates expressed anger, disappointment, and frustration over rejection of a compromise that “tilted heavier in the direction of long standing Republican priorities,” but was still derailed by their “border first” excuses.

“No one should harbor any illusion that the GOP insistence to focus on the border is anything more than cynical ploy fear and division,” immigration reform advocacy group America’s Voice said. Young immigrants and their allies who were already out rallying for relief all last week said the work was not yet over.

“We have been calling on Congress to leave no stone left unturned to deliver citizenship for millions of people. That continues to be true,” United We Dream Executive Director Greisa Martinez Rosas said in a statement received by Daily Kos. Pointing to an upcoming ruling from a conservative court, Martinez Rosas said the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program “is as close as it’s ever been to being overturned by rogue conservative courts.”

In fact, not since the day in September 2017 that DACA was rescinded by the previous administration has it been under greater threat.

“This week, hundreds of United We Dream members descended on Washington D.C. from Alaska to North Carolina, taking time out of their lives to urge Congress to act,” she continued. “The hundreds of young people who came to D.C. have shown determination and resilience. If Congress leaves for the holidays this year without having delivered, they should know they have cowered and failed to meet this moment with the urgency it requires.”

“DACA remains under urgent, existential threat, and will likely be terminated by the courts in the near future,” Todd Schulte, president of immigration reform advocacy group FWD.us, said in a statement received by Daily Kos. He pointed to a report finding that as many as 1,000 DACA recipients will lose their protections, including work permits and protection from deportation, every day for the next two years if Congress doesn’t act. Schulte said the fight for legalization “will continue.”

Going back to the “border first” excuses, no report on the framework’s rejection is complete without calling out the complete bullshit from certain GOP lawmakers.

“And for Republicans like John Cornnyn [sic] dusting off the ‘border security first’ excuse for inaction, no one should be fooled by that excuse,” America’s Voice continued. “It’s a coded way to say ‘legalization never’ and has always given a policy-sounding argument for Republicans to continually move the goalposts so that nothing is done for Dreamers and other undocumented immigrants.” Remember that Texas Sen. John Cornyn once claimed in a reelection ad that he’d supported legalization for young immigrants. But when given a chance to give a thumbs-up, he’ll always find an excuse to give a thumbs-down. He likes to pretend he’s a statesman, but he’s no different than any of the overtly nativist trolls who also oppose humane immigration relief.

Like I noted last week, some advocates are still pushing for immigration legislation via a registry update, or through the omnibus. In the past several days there’s been a renewed push for legalization for Afghan evacuees through the must-pass government funding bill. But once again, it’s Republicans who aren’t coming on board. Chuck Grassley has cited supposed security concerns in his opposition. But the Afghan Adjustment Act addresses exactly what Grassley claims he’s concerned about by establishing “rigorous vetting requirements” for applicants, National Immigration Forum said.

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Republicans dust off 'border first' excuses to derail immigration framework

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