WASHINGTON — House Republican leaders poised to revive efforts to overhaul the immigration system with new broad policy principles are facing a challenge from a GOP senator who is warning against a headlong rush toward reform.
Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions, the top Republican on the Senate Budget Committee, delivered a 30-page package to all 232 House Republicans Wednesday that offers a point-by-point rebuttal to the expected standards that House Speaker John Boehner and other leaders plan to circulate this week among GOP members at their annual retreat.
Sessions warned of the negative impact of proposed changes to immigration policy on U.S. workers, taxpayers and the rule of law as the House leaders look at legalization for some of the about 11 million immigrants living here illegally. Sessions and other opponents argue that legal status and work authorization still amounts to amnesty.
The GOP starting point is a statement of principles that is expected to focus on border and interior security, legalization with the requirement that immigrants pay fines and back taxes, and ensuring that President Barack Obama enforces any law, according to lawmakers, congressional aides and outside advocates, speaking on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to publicly discuss the principles being drafted. Republican leaders plan to circulate the principles Thursday at the GOP caucus’ retreat in Cambridge, Md.
Responding to Obama’s renewed call for immigration legislation and the positive signals from House GOP leaders, Sessions said Republicans “must end the lawlessness — not surrender to it — and they must defend the legitimate interests of millions of struggling American workers.”
The package, including a memo from Sessions, an analysis from his staff on the Senate Budget and Judiciary committees and a summary of opposition from conservatives, was delivered shortly before House Republicans left Washington.
“We’re going to outline our standards, principles of immigration reform and have a conversation with our members, and once that conversation’s over, we’ll have a better feel for what members have in mind,” Boehner said this week.
