National Immigration Project Report "Playing Politics at the Bench"

You can also find a link to the report at Bender's Immigration Daily...

Here are some of the actual interview questions asked of prospective Immigration Judges during the Bush years...

1. ―Tell us your political philosophy. There are different groups of conservatives by way
        of example: Social Conservative, Fiscal Conservative, Law & Order Republican.‖

2. ―What is it about Bush that makes you want to serve him?‖

3. ―Aside from the President, give us an example of someone currently or recently in
        public service who you admire?‖
 
...good stuff no? 
 It's as funny as that line from the Blues Brothers movie -- Claire: [When asked what music is played at Bob's Country Bunker] Oh we got both kinds. We got Country and Western.

Health Insurance for Immigrants -- even "Illegal" Immigrants?

I can promise my readers that I will jump into the icy waters of the mighty Merrimack river in the dead of winter in a penguin costume if the Congress of the United States ever votes to allow "illegal" immigrants to purchase government subsidized health insurance. Nevermind these studies from the Immigration Policy Center that show we would probably save tax payer money by doing so and would certainly have a healthier, more productive workforce.

Here's the link
http://www.immigrationpolicy.org/

Change we can believe in! Would you believe change eventually?

It seems that Barack Obama's ambitious agenda for change may have been a little too ambitious for some in Washington and in the country at large to take so quickly. It is not surprising though. Most people are fearful of change; except those who truly can't do without it.

You know what though, I think all the complaining about the stimulus plan and cash for clunkers and Obama isn't a Natural born citizen and the health reform "Death Panels" is about to "jump the shark". I can't wait to see the what the Town Hall Criers do today as my home state of New Hampshire gets a visit from the President. It is amazing the kind of frenzy a little misinformation and a lot of paranoia can whip up.

So immigration reform looks to be set back about six months as the health care debate takes a swerve into the ditch. I think things will actually improve as the stimulus kicks in and the economy heats up again. As the Right-wing continues its descent into whack job parody status, it is important that reform minded Legislators don't fracture and lose sight of their goals (right, that never happens).

In fact, I think there may be nothing better for the cause of progressives than to let the ultraconservatives lock their foaming jaws onto comprehensive immigration reform again right now. One more issue that can keep up their red faced, vein bulging, apoplectic tantrum in a teapot. As painful as it may be to endure -- it is usually a good long-term strategy to be viewed as the "sane and adult" party in an argument.


http://www.rollcall.com/news/37686-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS

http://lawprofessors.typepad.com/immigration/2009/08/obama-immigration-reform-must-wait-until-next-year.html

And so it begins...

President Obama met with Congressional leaders yesterday to discuss the way forward on immigration reform in the United States. It is an important first step because it emphasizes two principles that have often been overlooked. First, that a solution is needed sooner rather than later...meaning that it is not prudent to wait until the recession is over or until after the mid-term elections to bring reform; and second that common sense and practical solutions are what this country needs as opposed to more political grandstanding, manufactured outrage, and draconian enforcement.

Here is a link to the Presidents post meeting comments --

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Remarks-by-the-President-after-meeting-with-members-of-Congress-to-discuss-immigration/