Friday, April 10, 2009

Emanuel Now a Backer of Immigration Action

The White House Chief of Staff is pushing for immigration reform now that the Hispanic voting bloc is so powerful and the president wants to do it this year. - - Donna Poisl

By LAURA MECKLER

WASHINGTON -- As the White House gears up to push an immigration overhaul, advocates are finding they have an unexpected ally in White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel.

Mr. Emanuel has long been a voice of caution on easing rules for immigrants, fearing such a position could hurt Democrats at the polls. That stance has antagonized Hispanic lawmakers and activists, who favor a clearer, easier path to citizenship for certain illegal immigrants.

But as chief of staff, Mr. Emanuel has taken concrete steps that are sending a different message. He pushed hard for Congress to act fast on a children's health-insurance bill, including a provision lifting Clinton-era restrictions on benefits for legal immigrant children.
Be sure to read the rest of this story! This is only a small part of it.

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