What a Democratic Congress Means for Immigration Reform

Democrats won a clear victory in Tuesday's mid-term elections. The Democrats took control of the House by a 230-205 margin, and are poised to become the majority party in the Senate as well, pending the results of the Senate race in Virginia. The Associated Press has called Virginia in favor of the Democratic candidate, Jim Webb, and news reports suggest that Republican incumbent George Allen will concede the election today. If Allen concedes, the Democrats will be the majority party in both houses of Congress, and will take control of all committees in both the Senate and the House, including those with oversight and jurisdiction over immigration policy.

The consequences of this week's elections for comprehensive immigration reform are not clear-cut. When asked at a press conference whether a Democratic Congress gives him a better shot a comprehensive immigration reform, President Bush answered affirmatively, noting that immigration is "an issue where I believe we can find some common ground with the Democrats." But in the House, many of the new members are conservative Democrats, and the looming 2008 presidential election will mean that both parties will be "tacking" strongly to the center. While the election results will mean important changes in congressional leadership on immigration issues, especially on the House side, immigration advocates should not take support for CIR in 110th Congress for granted, and must continue to push for fair and comprehensive immigration reform with all the new Congressional leaders.            

It will be important for constituents who voted for Democrats as well as those who supported Republicans to continue to send a message to Congress for reform in the area of immigration.  After passage of the border security bills, there is concern that immigration reform will take the “back burner” and not be tackled in the early part of next year.
It is clear, however, that a Democratic Congress will be more supportive of total immigration reform.  In this regard, President Bush and Congress are more closely aligned that ever before. 

Written by:
Sanjay S. Mathur
Attorney at Law
Mathur Law Offices, P.C.
www.mathurlawoffices.com
214-378-8880
11/16/2006