Immigration garnered a mere paragraph or two in President Obama’s State of the Union on Tuesday night. Given the scope of the topics discussed during the speech, it wasn’t expected that immigration (or any other subject) would garner much more than a few moments of focus.
However, what was surprising about President Obama’s immigration comments was its stark negativity. President Obama mentioned the need for the United States to keep educated immigrants in the United States. However, President Obama immediately followed up by saying [I am paraphrasing] that …if comprehensive immigration reform cannot be reached this year, then send me a version of the Dream Act and I will sign it immediately.
Although the President’s comments may be viewed as realistic or pragmatic, it is difficult to understand why the President wants to start the immigration debate without even attempting to get Comprehensive Immigration Reform, or even just highly-skilled immigrant legislation, passed. Even if they are not going to pass, at least put them on the table for discussion, right? Why just go for the Dream Act? If the President believes that highly-educated immigrants are important to the United States, why not put out a better immigration plan and attempt to get it passed?