PoliticsLatino Politics Robert Menendez illegal immigration

Bob Menendez: Immigration Reform Is 'A Mandate' After Election

Key Senate Democrat Sees 'Mandate' For Immigration Reform
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Incumbent Democratic Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J., addresses a crowd Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012, in New Brunswick, N.J., after defeating Republican challenger state Sen. Joe Kryillos. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)

WASHINGTON -- In the wake of President Barack Obama's reelection with overwhelming support from Latino voters, Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) said Wednesday that Democrats will use that leverage to take on immigration reform next year.

"This election was a mandate to enact comprehensive immigration reform," the senator said during a speech at the Center for American Progress. "I have confidence that Republicans will work with us when they see the president is willing to expend some of the political capital that he has earned."

Although Latino voters generally rank jobs and the economy as the most important issues facing the country, immigration remains a top priority.

"They care deeply about the immigration issue because it strikes a responsive chord," said Menendez, who is Cuban-American. "When the Republican Party strikes out against immigrants, it reverberates throughout the whole community. And it strikes at the hearts of Latinos in this country."

Obama told progressive leaders Tuesday that he will prioritize immigration reform in his second term.

Since the election, prominent elements in the conservative movement have conceded that the GOP must soften its hard-line positions on immigration if it is to regain the level of support it once enjoyed among Latino voters.

Last week, Fox News host Sean Hannity said he has "evolved" on the treatment of undocumented immigrants and now supports a pathway to citizenship.

The conservative "Review & Outlook" section of The Wall Street Journal wrote this Tuesday that immigration benefits the U.S. economy and that GOP hard-liners should "keep in mind that more than Latinos are listening to the harsh rhetoric on immigration."

Even Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer (R), who has championed her state's stringent anti-immigrant law, said it would be "fine and dandy" to pursue comprehensive immigration reform.

Menendez said he is confident that the results of the 2012 elections will lead to action.

"With the help of the newly energized Democratic coalition and what I'll charitably describe as an awakened Republican Party, working together we have the opportunity to make progress on issues that have lingered on the back burner for too long, especially comprehensive immigration reform," he said.

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Before You Go

Controversial Immigration Laws
The Template: California Proposition 187 (1994)(01 of07)
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California's Proposition 187 was submitted to the voters with the full support of then Republican governor Pete Wilson. It essentially blamed undocumented immigrants for the poor performance of the state economy in the early 1990s. The law called for cutting off benefits to undocumented immigrants: prohibiting their access to health care, public education, and other social services in California. It also required state authorities to report anyone who they suspected was undocumented. Status: The law passed with the support of 55 percent of the voters in 1994 but declared unconstitutional 1997. The law was killed in 1999 when a new governor, Democrat Gray Davis, refused to appeal a judicial decision that struck down most of the law. Even though short-lived, the legislation paved the way for harsher immigration laws to come. On the other hand, the strong reaction from the Hispanic community and immigration advocates propelled a drive for naturalization of legal residents and created as many as one million new voters. (credit:alamy)
The Worst: Arizona SB 1070 (02 of07)
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The Arizona Act made it a misdemeanor for an undocumented immigrant to be within the state lines of Arizona without legal documents allowing their presence in the U.S. This law has been widely criticized as xenophobic and for encouraging racial profiling. It requires state authorities to inquire about an individual's immigration status during an arrest when there is "reasonable suspicion" that the individual is undocumented. The law would allow police to detain anyone who they believe was in the country illegally. Status: The law was signed into law by Arizona Governor Jan Brewer on April 23, 2010. But it has generated a swirl of controversy and questions about its constitutionality. A federal judge issued a ruling that blocked what critics saw as some of the law's harshest provisions. House: 35-31 (4/12/2011) (credit:MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images)
Following Arizona's Footsteps: Georgia HB 87(03 of07)
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The controversy over Arizona's immigration law was followed by heated debate over Georgia's own law. HB 87 required government agencies and private companies to check the immigration status of applicants. This law also limited some government benefits to people who could prove their legal status. Status: Although a federal judge temporarily blocked parts of the law considered too extreme, it went into effect on July 1st. 2011.House: 113-56 Senate: 39-17 (credit:AP)
Verifying Authorized Workers: Pennsylvania HB 1502 (04 of07)
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This bill, which was approved in 2010, bans contractors and subcontractors employ undocumented workers from having state construction contracts. The bill also protects employees who report construction sites that hire illegal workers. To ensure that contractors hire legal workers, the law requires employers to use the identification verification system E-verify, based on a compilation of legally issued Social Security numbers.Status: Approved on June 8th 2010. House: 188-6 (07/08/2010)Flickr photo by DonkeyHotey (credit:Flickr:DonkeyHotey)
A Spin Off of Arizona: Utah HB 497(05 of07)
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Many states tried to emulate Arizona's SB 1070 law. However, most state legislatures voted against the proposals. Utah's legislature managed to approve an immigration law based on a different argument. Taking into consideration the criticism of racial profiling in Arizona, Utah required ID cards for "guest workers" and their families. In order to get such a card workers must pay a fee and have clean records. The fees go up to $2,500 for immigrants who entered the country illegally and $1,000 for immigrants who entered the country legally but were not complying with federal immigration law, according to the LA Times.Status: Law went into effect on 03/15/2011House: 59-15 (03/04/2011)Senate: 22-5 (03/04/2011) (credit:AP)
The Most Comprehensive: Florida HB-1C (06 of07)
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Florida's immigration law prohibits any restrictions on the enforcement of federal immigration law. It makes it unlawful for undocumented immigrants within the state to apply for work or work as an independent contractor. It forbids employers from hiring immigrants if they are aware of their illegal status and requires work applicants to go through the E-verify system in order to check their Social Security number. Status: effective since October 1st, 2010 (credit:Getty)
The Hot Seat: Alabama HB 56(07 of07)
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The new immigration law in Alabama is considered the toughest in the land, even harder than Arizona's SB 1070. It prohibits law enforcement officers from releasing an arrested person before his or her immigration status is determined. It does not allow undocumented immigrants to receive any state benefit, and prohibits them from enrolling in public colleges, applying for work or soliciting work in a public space. The law also prohibits landlords from renting property to undocumented immigrants, and employers from hiring them. It requires residents to prove they are citizens before they become eligible to vote. The law asked every school in the state to submit an annual report with the number of presumed undocumented students, but this part, along with others, were suspended by federal courts. Status: Approved June 2nd, 2011 House: 73-28 (04/05/2011)Senate: 23-11 (05/05/2011)Flickr photo by longislandwins (credit:Flickr:longislandwins)
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