Wall Street Journal Editorial Page Endorses the Benefits of Immigration

     If you want proof that this is an idea whose time has come, this should do it. After all, this the the WSJ editorial page-the paper of record for the Republican party. If the editorial page  endorses immigration reform this is a strong hint for GOP Congressmen to support it.

    The editorial makes a strong case for the economic benefits of more immigration. It cites in particular the paper by Douglas Holtz-Eakin who's the former director of the CBO-under George W. Bush. That he's such a prominent Republican may give his paper further reach into GOP circles.

    As he says, a major benefit of immigration is population growth. Japan and Europe have some very unfriendly immigration policies which exacerbates their already declining birth rates. Holtz-Eakin also argues that immigration reform should encourage more merit-based immigration reform rather than putting most emphasis on family reunification as is currently the case.

    I don't think we should cut back on family unification however it's welcome if those aren't the sole or predominant cases that lead to amnesty and a path to citizenship.

    The arguments are good but what's more impressive is who's making it. This is a good sign that this is going to happen. Which is good news in its own right but even more welcome with background checks not looking too good today.

     http://diaryofarepublicanhater.blogspot.com/2013/04/on-background-checks-90-of-public.html

     A few minutes ago, the Gang of Eight in the Senate introduced their bill and declared it "time for a national conversation about immigration."

     "The members of the Senate "Gang of 8" who introduced their immigration bill early Wednesday morning issued a statement describing their proposal as a "starting point" and pledging an open process in debating the issue further. "

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     "Our immigration system is broken and it is time for a national conversation about how to fix it," the statement read. "We believe common-sense immigration reform is vital in order to secure America's borders, advance our economic growth, and provide fuller access to the American dream. Our bipartisan proposal is a starting point, and will be strengthened by good-faith input and ideas from across the ideological spectrum. We look forward to multiple Senate hearings on this bill, an open committee process with amendments, and a full and fair debate in the Senate.”

     http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/gang-of-8-time-for-national-conversation-on

      More and more, then, immigration reform is looking like an idea whose time has come. Gun control it seems may not quite be there yet today, anyway-though I'm not losing hope. As Greg Sargent argues, it's a long term fight. It's naive to claim that if it fails today that's teh end of gun control, forever, RIP. This may jsut be the start of this particular conversation. 

     http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/wp/2013/04/17/the-morning-plum-if-gun-proposal-dies-what-happens-when-theres-another-shooting/

     As the gay marriage fight shows, it's always for the long haul. Another sign immigration is an idea whose time has come,  the House says it's own Gang of Eight immigration bill is moving along.

     "The group, which has remained quiet about its plans and negotiations, is comprised of Democratic Reps. Xavier Becerra (Calif.), Luis Gutierrez (Ill.), Zoe Lofgren (Calif.) and John Yarmuth (Ky.), along with Republican Reps. John Carter (Texas), Mario Diaz-Balart (R-Fla.), Sam Johnson (R-Texas) and Raul Labrador (R-Idaho).:

      "We believe we will soon agree on a reasonable, common-sense plan to finally secure our borders and strengthen our economy, with a tough but fair process that respects the rule of law so immigrants can contribute to our country," they said in a statement.

  

      http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/17/house-immigration-group_n_3100015.html

      :They also say they welcome the Senate bill-and aren't saying that a path to citizenship is s nonstarter. 

     "Such a bill, which provides a path to citizenship, may be a tougher haul in the House, where a number of Republicans view legalization as "amnesty."

     "But members of the House immigration group believe that they, at least, can come to a deal. The full statement:

Americans want to see the nation’s broken immigration system fixed, and they know it will take bipartisanship to solve this problem in a sensible and rational way. This week, a bipartisan group of Senators stepped forward to introduce their proposal, and we applaud their effort. We are also working on a good faith, bipartisan effort in the House. We believe we will soon agree on a reasonable, common-sense plan to finally secure our borders and strengthen our economy, with a tough but fair process that respects the rule of law so immigrants can contribute to our country. While we have made substantial progress, we continue to work diligently towards a bill that keeps America strong, competitive and true to our values.

       http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/17/house-immigration-group_n_3100015.html