Aurora Representative Mike Coffman has been hard on the campaign trail talking immigration, but one of the cornerstone positions — a path to citizenship through military service — may be on its last legs this session.
Last week, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor signaled that a similar measure, the ENLIST Act sponsored by California Rep. Jeff Dunham, wouldn’t be included on a routine defense bill.
That means Coffman’s act, the Military Enlistment Opportunity Act, will likely meet a similar fate in Congress this summer, unless a miracle happens. Coffman has been loud in his support of that bill, which offers legal status to children brought to the U.S. by their parents. The comprehensive Senate bill is languishing in the House at the moment even though Obama and the administration have said they’d be willing to compromise on some components of the proposal for weeks now.
Coffman said he believes that Congress can tackle immigration this summer piece by piece, but it appears that conservatives facing a primary challenge won’t have any of it.
It’s possible that Coffman and Dunham’s bill may come up on their own for a vote, but without leadership backing, it’s likely that they’ll fall if they come up.
Coffman, Dunham and Illinois Rep. Luis Gutierrez have planned a rally on the Capitol steps in D.C. tomorrow.
This is one time I would recommend all readers using net, check out CNN, Deported veterans ask Obama for relief. Reported by Leigh Ann Caldwell, CNN on Monday 19 May 2014, she reported 23,000 deported in 2012 , who were legal residents, served in military and then worked honorably in civilian world. Estimate of over 30,000 former service members since 1996, but video focused on Vietnam Veteran of Navy. As a veteran of 26 years service (50-96), I would support this amendment to our Immigration Laws, having served with similar from WWII, Korea, and Cold War, to Vietnam I also would highly recommend registration of those in country who came here illegally, so we have honest count and knowledge, and if it takes a wall as Israel built along our southern border, so be it.
Northern border has long stretches not guarded or secured, but problems are not so focused there, as those coming from same 93 (?) countries where we gain LEGAL immigration, who do assimilate, get entrance documentation, and who want to become American Citizens. Too many illegals, have no intention of ever becoming citizen here, but come for other reasons. And that endangers our security and future.