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Opponents of US immigration reform to flood Congress with calls
| Published: | 13 Mar at 6 PM |
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A tactic which worked well for those against immigration reform in 2006 is about to be tried again by opponents of the latest reform bill.
With the nation glued to every turn and twist of the immigration reform negotiations, it’s unsurprising that those against legislation which allows illegals to claim citizenship should turn to unconventional measures. During the unsuccessful 2006 and 2007 attempts to legalise reform, opponents jammed the Congress’s switchboard with angry calls, leading to the failure of the bills. I
n both years, lawmakers’ attention was switched to border control issues by the backlash of protestors, but the present negotiations between Democrats and Republicans have brought the introduction of an immigration reform bill far closer than in previous attempts. Opposition groups regard the legalising of illegals as an amnesty rewarding overstayers and wetbacks.
Legislation is anticipated by late this month or early April, causing anti-immigrant groups to ramp up their protests. A grassroots campaign of emails, faxes, phone calls and online petitions is in the planning stages, set to go live once the legislation is introduced.
Rusty Childress, a Phoenix, Arizona resident and founder of several anti-immigration reform groups, told reporters the pot is now simmering, adding that he’s attempting to get passions against any form of amnesty burning again. His and other groups, however, all admit that the flame of protest isn’t burning as brightly as in 2006 and 2007.
Roy Beck, executive Director of NumbersUSA, Washington DC group, said his people were looking for restrictions on open immigration, and are ready to join in any phone call campaign. However, he also agreed that protestors are less committed and somewhat worn out, adding that many are beginning to feel they can’t stop the reforms this time.
With the nation glued to every turn and twist of the immigration reform negotiations, it’s unsurprising that those against legislation which allows illegals to claim citizenship should turn to unconventional measures. During the unsuccessful 2006 and 2007 attempts to legalise reform, opponents jammed the Congress’s switchboard with angry calls, leading to the failure of the bills. I
n both years, lawmakers’ attention was switched to border control issues by the backlash of protestors, but the present negotiations between Democrats and Republicans have brought the introduction of an immigration reform bill far closer than in previous attempts. Opposition groups regard the legalising of illegals as an amnesty rewarding overstayers and wetbacks.
Legislation is anticipated by late this month or early April, causing anti-immigrant groups to ramp up their protests. A grassroots campaign of emails, faxes, phone calls and online petitions is in the planning stages, set to go live once the legislation is introduced.
Rusty Childress, a Phoenix, Arizona resident and founder of several anti-immigration reform groups, told reporters the pot is now simmering, adding that he’s attempting to get passions against any form of amnesty burning again. His and other groups, however, all admit that the flame of protest isn’t burning as brightly as in 2006 and 2007.
Roy Beck, executive Director of NumbersUSA, Washington DC group, said his people were looking for restrictions on open immigration, and are ready to join in any phone call campaign. However, he also agreed that protestors are less committed and somewhat worn out, adding that many are beginning to feel they can’t stop the reforms this time.
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