WILL REPUBLICANS (or DEMOCRATS) DOOM IMMIGRATION REFORM?

As the Syria debate subsides, immigration appears to be back on track. Legislation, however, continues to face an uphill battle. Meanwhile, Republicans continue their very public civil war that has handicapped leadership; this makes the GOP an easy target for blame if immigration fails, specially with extreme voices like Steve “Cantaloupe Calves” King (R-IA) dominating GOP messaging on immigration. But this political reality may also give Democrats and President Obama an incentive to do nothing and indirectly doom immigration reform.

Even with a complicated legislative calendar, the House can still produce a bill that does not throw money at a problem, addresses enforcement in an intelligent and humane manner, allows 11 million undocumented people to step out of the shadows, and adds billions in taxes to our economy.  So far, a strong group of prominent and rank-and-file GOP house members have called for action on immigration.

Additionally, the bi-partisan “gang of 7” led by Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-IL) and Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL) have signaled they would soon be releasing their long-awaited comprehensive bill they say has support from both sides of the isle.

At the same time, key Republicans have signaled they are not amenable to serious reform. Rep. Bob Goodlatte, chairman of the judiciary committee, continues to embrace unworkable proposals like the SAFE Act, which gives local police, untrained in immigration enforcement, more power to arrest people suspected of being in the country illegally. The bill would generate inconsistent laws promulgated by localities, including those with a history of discriminatory practices, like those in Arizona. In March, a federal courtfound that immigration hawk Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio has systematically employed racial profiling against Latinos.

But House Democrats have also been feeble on immigration. Senator Cruz rarely speaks with relevancy but appears to be on point warningDemocrats would indirectly kill immigration efforts to use the issue as a campaign tool. This is an idea that has been floating in blue circles.

Such inaction by Democrats will also be grounds for blame. Rather than sitting back as Republicans slowly kill immigration reform, Democrats could press forward with a discharge petition – a method for forcing action on a bill – not only to rally their own members but to also pressure House GOP leadership to come up with meaningful bills. Indeed,  the threat of a discharge petition was enough to successfully move Civil Rights rights legislation in 1963.

Rather than blame Republicans,  President Obama could launch a lobbying blitz as he did with Syria. He could also act to halt deportations for parents and workers with no violent criminal record. Needless to say, the President is wrong claiming he does not have the legal authority and that advocates are giving up on reform.

Several legal avenues are available, including “parole in place” or “deferred enforce departure,” which are both unique forms of relief the Administration could use offer to undocumented immigrants.  These forms of relief were spelled out in a letter penned by legal experts.  Similar deportation relief  has already survived legal challenges as well as helped Obama win the enough of the Latino vote to form a winning coalition for 2012.

Indeed, nearly two-thirds of Latino voters know someone who is undocumented, likely part of the reason the Latino population so strongly supports comprehensive immigration reform. Latino voters, the fastest growing demographic, would know the President took leadership when Congress did not, and allowed their friends and family members not to be deported. Further, DACA plus would ameliorate the President’s harsh deportation record.

Finally, executive action would force Republicans to engage in serious debate something advocates hope will reignite the legislative efforts. Halting deportations wouldn’t obligate the President to throw billions of dollars of unnecessary border patrol, immigration detention centers, predator drones or other expensive security contracts to quiet an unappeasable Republican primary crowd that is still holding the GOP hostage. The American taxpayer will be grateful.

In the end, Democrats and Republicans must understand that the political tug of war will be won by the party that acts, not the one that makes excuses or delays. What will matter to the American people, specially Latino voters, is whether Democrats or Republicans stood up to obstruction. Latino voters will reward the party that leads with a legislative solution not political sound bytes.