DHS Official Says Immigration Reform Possible by Next Year
The Orlando Sentinel reported late last week that immigration reform would be possible by next year according to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano.
In a nutshell, the DHS Secretary stated that immigration reform is possible because the government has significantly improved border control and internal immigration work place enforcement, that it has the ability to focus on reforming the immigration laws beginning next year.
The DHS Secretary commented in an interview last week,
“The hope is that when we get into the first part of 2010, that we will see legislation begin to move. The legislation should not only give law enforcement officials more tools to fight illegal immigration but create a tough pathway for undocumented workers to gain legal status.”
Officials within the DHS argue that increased border security and internal enforcement are the reasons for the focus on reform.
Despite the hope of passing reform next year, the 2010 congressional elections and the current unemployment rate of 10.2% are factors to consider in the push for reform. Overall, the fight for immigration reform is on people’s minds and we will see what the coming year will bring.
