The country was experiencing a new wave of excitement as news was released from President Obama about the upcoming revival for immigration laws. He told these revival leaders that he was placing their concerns at highest importance, in order to address the wide spread concerns at hand throughout his country. Despite the pleasing news, these immigration group leaders are now feeling that there is a chance their cause may get pushed to the back burner again, or at least behind the rising issue of gun control.
January was to be the month of change and reform for the immigration community who are fighting for their rights in the land of the free the and home of the brave. Sadly, January instead turned into a month of mourning for the 27 lives that were lost in the Connecticut elementary school, 20 of them being children. As a result of the new attention for gun control legislation changes, Obama then passed of his responsibility to Vice President Joe Biden to be in control of the immigration proposal hopefully by mid-January. The activists unfortunately feel let down by this news, as they were hoping the President himself would be paying close attention to their causes.
According to the Politico news source, the immigration reformists were strategic in their strategies of when to get Obama to address the issues at hand. It is believed that they hoped he would take control of the proposal in early January, the early stages of his second term so that he would use his persuasion tactics with the Republicans during his State of the Union Address. By using the State of the Union Address and his Inauguration speech, they believed that Obama would then be able to influence both the politicians and the public to the cause of immigration reform.
Activists claim that in the event his focus becomes gun control as opposed to immigration rights, they believe that many people will overlook the importance of accomplishing the many steps in order for the bill to be passed in Congress. One of the leaders for the reform of immigration laws, a veteran law maker, Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-III), claims that he is honestly concerned about the bills ability to be passed because the gun control laws are clearly overshadowing the important, and yet controversial, topic of immigration. His concerns are not unfounded either; word is spreading from carious law makers that they too believe gun control is in fact taking precedence for those in politics.
The House and Senate are currently working through immigration concerns in smaller groups, however the long expected proposal of reform has yet to be released to the public. It is believed, that the White House does realize the importance of the topic of immigration, and for that reason they recently changed requirements for Visa holders, allowing them the opportunity to remain in the country while actively looking for permanent residency. While the news of gun control reform is quite obvious, advocates for immigration change are still relentless in their pursuit of what they believe is right.
News sources state that Congress is creating a task force in order to address the many concerns with gun control, and this includes talking with the numerous experts in the field including gun owners, gun violence prevention organizations, and gun sporting groups. The House is also discussing factors with various experts in the medical field for mental health, law enforcement officials and victims as well in order to be thoroughly prepared for what needs to be done regarding gun control.
Despite the government possibly paying less attention to the needs and concerns of illegal immigration and the hope for reform, there are many attorneys all over the country who are willing to fight for your rights on a more personal level. Don't wait to contact an experienced immigration attorney in your area!