Obama Tries To Rein In Those Immigrant Votes
By Felicia Persaud
News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Fri. Jan. 27, 2012: President Obama is definitely “fired up and ready to go” as his State of the Union address showed on January 24th. As was expected, the President made an all-out attempt to rein in those disappointed and wavering immigrant votes by dedicating a part of his wide ranging address to immigration reform.
After months of silence amidst rising deportation levels, Obama, speaking undoubtedly to Latino and immigrant voters, insisted: “We should be working on comprehensive immigration reform right now.”
Jobs/economy, immigration, and education were the top three issues Latinos told the National Council of La Raza they wanted the President to address in his speech. And he did!
In a direct contrast to the Republican front runner, Mitt Romney, President Obama called for a comprehensive immigration plan that lets young immigrants earn their citizenship.
With Romney vowing to veto any law that would offer permanent residency for skilled but undocumented migrants who graduated from US schools or took part in military service, the President pledged to sign even limited reform.
“The opponents of action are out of excuses,” he said. “But if election-year politics keeps Congress from acting on a comprehensive plan, let’s at least agree to stop expelling responsible young people who want to staff our labs, start new businesses, and defend this country. Send me a law that gives them the chance to earn their citizenship. I will sign it right away.”
Critics were quick to point out that while Obama has made such promises since before his election in 2008, he has yet to make a major push behind a comprehensive immigration policy overhaul.
Yet, for all the talk and no action, the alternative harsh right wing stance of Romney and the GOP will undoubtedly have immigrant voters holding their noses and voting for Obama come November.
Romney watch out, especially as you gear up for the Florida Primary! According to the Florida Division of Elections, final registration statistics for the state’s January 31 presidential primary show that 1,473,920 Latinos are registered to vote statewide.
Overall, according to the Pew Hispanic Center, Latinos make up 13.1 percent of the state’s more than 11.2 million registered voters. Among Latino registered voters, 452,619 are registered as Republicans, making up 11.1 percent of all Republican registered voters. And 564,513 Latino registered voters are registered as Democrats, representing 12.4 percent of all Democratic registered voters.
Nationally, Latinos make up 16 percent of the U.S. population while there are 39.9 million foreign-born residents nationally as of 2010, according to the U.S. Census.
It’s not a White America anymore but more becoming increasingly more brown and black. Republicans are seemingly still refusing to acknowledge this fact. Obama on the other hand is a savvy politician who knows he cannot win again without the Latino and immigrant vote. His speech on Jan. 24th proved that. Now it’s time for some action to match your words, Mr. President.
The writer is founder of NewsAmericasNow, CaribPR Wire and Hard Beat Communications.
Related posts:
- No Surprise That Latinos Disapprove Of Obama’s Deportation Policies
- President Obama, Please Don’t Take The Immigrant Vote For Granted!
- Obama: Republicans driving Latino votes his way – Reuters
- President Obama, ‘Pardon’ Me!
- IS OBAMA DEMAGOGING IMMIGRATION REFORM?
