Pathway To Citizenship: Clinton Calls For Comprehensive Immigration Reform

Yesterday Hillary Clinton stepped far aside from the 2016 GOP presidential field in a call for comprehensive immigration reform that includes a pathway to citizenship for undocumented workers. Via ABC News:

She is the presumed favorite of Latino voters and, today in Las Vegas, Hillary Clinton doubled down on what is seen as a gateway issue for that voting bloc. She laid out her plan for comprehensive immigration reform at a campaign event—including a pathway to citizenship, willingness to take executive action, and reforming detention programs.

At a campaign event today, her third since announcing she's running for president, Clinton made immigration reform a defining issue, and on Cinco de Mayo, no less. Latino leaders consulting her campaign have told ABC News that Clinton is looking for a way to clearly contrast herself with Republican presidential candidates by embracing the full path to citizenship rather than proposing a second class of Americans who can work in the United States but not enjoy the protection of citizenship.

Clinton made the argument that comprehensive immigration reform “strengthens families, strengthens our economy, and strengthens our country.” “That's why we can't wait any longer. We can't wait any longer for a path to full and equal citizenship.” Clinton also took an aggressive stance against Republicans. “Now this is where I differ with everybody on the Republican side,” she said. “Make no mistakes. Today not a single Republican candidate - announced or potential - is clearly and consistently supporting a path to citizenship. Not one.” “When they talk about ‘legal status’ that is code for second-class status,” she added.

Clinton also promised to expand the DREAM program to include the undocumented parents of children born in the United States.

GOP Fights Immigration With GIFs

Last week the GOP-led House Judiciary Committee decided to fight immigration reform by posting ten GIFs to their official federal government site. Because Britney Spears and the Little Mermaid might have more traction with the public. Or something.

Matt Drudge Has The Budget Sadz

Sarah Palin Warns Republicans

"When you cut through all the 'inside baseball' stuff in this Omnibus Spending Bill that's in front of Congress, you're left with two cold hard facts: this bill doesn't defund Obama's amnesty (so he gets to reward lawbreakers with your tax dollars) and it adds to our dangerous, unsustainable debt. Hey, if you thought we wanted more of the same as we worked our butts off to get good folks elected in November, then why did we vote to oust liberals who got America into this mess in the first place? Guess what, GOP: our victory party is over and voters are wide awake and trusting you to keep your promises to America. Get a handle on your debt. Stop Obama's amnesty to illegal aliens. Support our military. Bottom line: we elected you to stop Obama's 'fundamental transformation of America.' Do it – especially you Republicans who promised to do it. Or face America's wrath next go 'round because an elephant never forgets." - Sarah Palin, posting to Facebook.

Matt Drudge Has The Super Sadz

The Washington Post has a breakdown of some of the items in the budget.

Geraldo Rivera Vs Facebook Trolls

SNL On Immigration Reform

Bachmann To Stage Anti-Immigration Rally On Steps On Capitol Building

Michele Bachmann is calling on Fox News viewers to join her for an anti-immigration rally on the steps of the Capitol Building.

Bachmann, appearing Thursday on Fox News Channel's "Hannity," called for citizens to got to Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, December 3 at "high noon" on the west steps of the Capitol. "We need to have a rally, and we need to go visit our senators and visit our congressmen, because nothing frightens a congressman like the whites of his constituents' eyes," Bachmann said. "We need to say, you're not going to do this with our Constitution." Bachmann says she wants Congress to defund Obama's executive action legalizing up to 5 million illegal immigrants.

GOP On Obama's "Imperial Presidency"

The clip uses a 2008 anti-Bush speech by Hillary Clinton.

LGBT Groups Disappointed With President Obama's Plan For Immigration Reform

Via press release from Lambda Legal:

While we praise President Obama’s efforts to do what is in his executive power to improve immigration, we are deeply disappointed that his plan unfairly excludes many members of the LGBT community. President Obama’s plan allows immigrants who have children who are citizens or lawful permanent residents to obtain legal work documents and temporarily be protected from deportation. We urge President Obama to undertake reforms that are more LGBT-inclusive, such as recognizing length of residency as a stand-alone qualification. Thousands of LGBT immigrants, many who have fled countries where LGBT people are unprotected and subjected to horrific abuse and violence, have been waiting for humane immigration reform for years due to Congressional inaction and cannot afford to wait any longer.

This effort by the President does not absolve Congress of its responsibility to provide a permanent fix to our outdated immigration system so that it is fair to all the 11 million undocumented immigrants in the US today, waiting to be fully American. So while we commend this order for providing much-needed immediate relief to many undocumented immigrants, we note that requiring individuals to have children disproportionately excludes LGBT immigrants who are childless because the barriers to creating a family are higher for people who cannot afford assisted reproduction or are disqualified from adoption by antigay laws. We need a plan that recognizes community ties and longtime residency.

From the National Center for Lesbian Rights:

We welcome today’s announcement as a first step towards repairing a broken and discriminatory immigration system that has victimized undocumented immigrants and their families, including at least 267,000 undocumented people who identify as LGBT. We applaud the vision and courage of our President in making good on his promise to act on immigration reform. We know that this is a first step and we are gratified that many of the cruel policies of the past will be replaced with more humane and effective strategies. However, we remain deeply concerned that the plan leaves out too many LGBT immigrant families. LGBT families are less likely to have legally recognized or biological relationships with each other, and thus relief based wholly on familial ties will exclude too many LGBT families. In addition, many of the restrictions requiring consistent employment and limiting access for people with non-violent criminal histories will disproportionately impact LGBT immigrants, especially in the transgender community.

LIVE VIDEO: President Obama Addresses Nation On Immigration Reform

Boehner Prebuts Obama's Speech

GOP Slams Obama On Immigration

Michele Bachmann: Obama Wants To Turn Illiterate Immigrants Into Democrats

"The social cost will be profound on the U.S. taxpayer - millions of unskilled, illiterate, foreign nationals coming into the United States who can’t speak the English language. Even though the president says they won’t be able to vote, we all know that many, in all likelihood, will vote. The president has a very single-minded vision. He’s looking at new voters for 2016. People do vote without being a citizen. It’s a wink and a nod, we all know it’s going to happen." - Michele Bachmann, adding to reporters that she knows these immigrants are illiterate because she's been told that by "American Hispanics" who live "at the border."

Cruz Blows A Fuze

"Congress, representing the voice of the People, should use every tool available to prevent the President from subverting the rule of law. When the President usurps the legislative power and defies the limits of his authority, it becomes all the more imperative for Congress to act. And Congress should use those powers given to it by the Constitution to counter a lawless executive branch—or it will lose its authority.

"If the President announces executive amnesty, the new Senate Majority Leader who takes over in January should announce that the 114th Congress will not confirm a single nominee—executive or judicial—outside of vital national security positions, so long as the illegal amnesty persists. This is a potent tool given to Congress by the Constitution explicitly to act as a check on executive power. It is a constitutional power of the Majority Leader alone, and it would serve as a significant deterrent to a lawless President.

"Additionally, the new Congress should exercise the power of the purse by passing individual appropriations bills authorizing critical functions of government and attaching riders to strip the authority from the president to grant amnesty. A presidential temper tantrum is not an acceptable means of discourse.

"Of course, these confrontations are not desirable, and it is unbecoming for an American president to show such condescension towards the voters. The American people, however, are not powerless. They have elected a new Congress full of members who have promised in their campaigns to stand up to this lawless President and stop the amnesty. We must honor our commitments. If the President will not respect the people, Congress must." - Canada-born Sen. Ted Cruz, in his usual meltdown mode.

President Obama: Tomorrow I'll Announce Executive Order On Immigration Reform

More from the Associated Press:

As many as 5 million people in the country illegally would be spared from deportation and made eligible for work permits. But the eligible immigrants would not be entitled to federal benefits — including health care tax credits — under the plan, officials said Wednesday. Obama was to speak at Las Vegas' Del Sol High School, a school with a large population of non-English speaking students where Obama unveiled his blueprint for comprehensive immigration legislation in 2013. Republicans are vehemently opposed to the president's likely actions, with some conservative members threatening to pursue a government shutdown if Obama follows through on his promises to act before the end of the year.

Wingnuts are screaming their heads off on Twitter.

Provide The Tea Party Caption

Today's GOP "Winning Message"

Ann Coulter: I Can't Live In America

"With all the smirking on the left about their electoral victories, it’s important to remember that Democrats haven’t won the hearts and minds of the American people. They changed the people. If you pour vinegar into a bottle of wine, the wine didn’t turn, you poured vinegar into it. Similarly, liberals changed no minds. They added millions of new liberal voters through immigration. We’re living in a different country now, and I can’t recall moving! Had I wanted to live in Japan, I could have moved there. Had I had wanted to live in Mexico, Pakistan or Chechnya – I could have moved to those places, too. (Although maybe not. They all have stricter immigration policies than we do.) I’m sure they’re lovely, but I wanted to live in America. Now I can’t." - Ann Coulter, writing for World Net Daily.

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