Clients frequently ask if we believe there will soon be changes to the immigration system. The following is an update based on news about immigration following the election.
On November 4, 2014, the Republicans won elections across the United States and that party will soon control both chambers of Congress. What does this mean for immigration reform?
There are two types of reform possible: 1) a change in the law following passage of immigration reform by Congress, and 2) administrative action by President Obama.
Congressional action: Exit polls following this week’s election show 57% of voters who responded think the undocumented should be given a path to citizenship. Will Republican leadership offer their own immigration reform bill? This remains to be seen, but there is reason to be hopeful because both parties want to appeal to Latino voters.
Administrative action: President Obama pledged to act administratively if Congress does not pass immigration reform. He made this pledge first in June 2014, but delayed action until after the election. The day after the election, President Obama again pledged that he would “take whatever lawful actions I can take” before the end of the year.
What will administrative reform look like? If President Obama makes good on his promise this time, expect to see relief to people facing deportation, likely in the form of deferred action just as he did with the DREAMers in 2012, as well as reforms to the enforcement system, possibly including changes to detention of mothers and their children in remote towns near the border.