Immigration

Democrats To Thrust Immigration Back Into Spotlight

Christina Bellantoni | September 17, 2010, 8:53AM

Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ)

Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) in the coming weeks will introduce a new comprehensive immigration reform bill that will include a pathway to citizenship, reviving a debate that could help Democrats in the short-term but could also be as brutal as it's been in years past. President Obama is framing the issue to the crucial Latino voting bloc as one party is with them, and the other is against them.

Menendez's bill is based on the bipartisan framework developed by Sens. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC), according to a plan revealed last night as the White House released some details of President Obama's private huddle with Menendez, Rep. Nydia Velazquez and Rep. Luis Gutierrez.

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Health Care

Hispanic Caucus Warns Obama On Immigration Language In Health Care Bill

Christina Bellantoni | November 6, 2009, 10:50AM

Rep. Nydia Velazquez (D-NY)

Roll Call is reporting (sub. req.) this morning that Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chairwoman Nydia Velázquez (D-NY) is unhappy with potential language about illegal immigrants not being covered under the health care plan.

The newspaper reports Velázquez warned President Obama yesterday that 20 members of her caucus will vote against the final bill if that language is included.

In their current forms, the Senate version of the bill blocks illegal immigrants from getting coverage, the House bill does not.

"He listened to us and he knows where we stand," Velazquez said, according to Roll Call. "We made it very clear that we support the language that is in the House. We expect that the current language will not change."

We've checked in with her office and with the White House and will update readers when we know where this stands.

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