Democrat Leaders Facing Mutiny On DACA Deal

11 Jan, 2018 by William Teach

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Why would this be happening? Because Republicans might get something out of it

(Politico) Democratic leaders are facing a potential revolt within their ranks as they edge toward a deal with Republicans that would protect Dreamers from deportation but also include concessions to conservatives that many Democratic lawmakers say are unacceptable.

Senate negotiators say they’re inching toward a bipartisan deal that broadly mirrors the parameters laid out during a meeting this week between lawmakers and President Donald Trump at the White House. They include ensuring legal status for Dreamers, strengthening border security and making changes to both family-based migration and the diversity lottery.

But many Democrats, particularly in the House, are horrified that their leaders would even agree to discuss issues beyond legal status for Dreamers and limited measures to curb illegal immigration. The concerns span multiple factions of the Democratic conference, and, combined with opposition from Republican immigration hard-liners, they could put passage of a DACA deal at risk.

These are the hardcores who want a “clean” bill, ie, one which only deals with giving legal status to the Dreamers, with nothing else included.

“We’re willing to give a little when it comes to border security, but we’re not willing to give away the whole hog and farm,” said Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), a member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus who attended the meeting.

He and other Democrats in the opposition camp argue that wide-scale changes to family-based sponsorship laws and the visa lottery should be discussed only as part of a broader immigration deal.

“I believe we need to pass a ‘clean’ Dream Act,” Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) said. “If we’re going to talk about, you know, all these other factors, then let’s just talk about comprehensive immigration reform.”

These Democrats know they aren’t getting a clean Dream Act. It almost appears as if they are attempting to scuttle negotiations. Why? Because then they can use that in their talking points messaging going into the mid-terms, Blamestorming Republicans. We all know the media will take the Democrats side in this, and this is what the American people will hear and read.

But, here’s an idea: let’s give them a clean bill: Dreamers get temporary protected status, having to renew every two years, and any legal violation above a certain misdemeanor level would get them deported. They would be allowed to apply for citizenship and go through the same process everyone else does after 10 years. However, the people that brought the Dreamers illegally have to leave for this to occur. They are the ones that committed the “sin.” And the parent(s) would be barred from doing anything other than coming for short visits once every two years. No chain migration.

There should be no amnesty. No free citizenship. If Dreamers want it, they have to earn it.

Crossed at Pirate’s Cove. Follow me on Twitter @WilliamTeach.