Illegal Immigration Will See No Action with White House Up for Grabs (ContributorNetwork)

在 ServiceModel 客户端配置部分中，找不到引用协定“TranslatorService.LanguageService”的默认终结点元素。这可能是因为未找到应用程序的配置文件，或者是因为客户端元素中找不到与此协定匹配的终结点元素。
在 ServiceModel 客户端配置部分中，找不到引用协定“TranslatorService.LanguageService”的默认终结点元素。这可能是因为未找到应用程序的配置文件，或者是因为客户端元素中找不到与此协定匹配的终结点元素。

COMMENTARY | Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) set off a firestorm last week with his comments connecting the devastating Arizona wildfires to illegal immigration. According to the Huffington Post, McCain, the 2008 Republican nominee for president, said, "There is substantial evidence that some of these fires are caused by people who have crossed our border illegally." In light of McCain's comments, illegal immigration is once again dominating national headlines.

A Frustrated Electorate

A Pew Hispanic Center study found in 2010 there were 11.2 million illegal immigrants living in the United States. Poll after poll shows an anxiety-ridden nation frustrated by the government's inability to stop the influx of illegal crossings from Mexico. A Rasmussen poll indicates that only 30 percent of Americans believe the border is secure, while 64 percent say it is not. An overwhelming 84 percent of Americans are concerned that illegal immigrants could be an unfair burden on schools, hospitals and government services, according to Gallup. These poll numbers have forced politicians at the state and federal level to address illegal immigration, but a solution has proved elusive.

Legislative Action or Inaction?

Thus far in 2011, state legislatures have introduced 52 bills dealing with illegal immigration. Most of these bills replicate elements of Arizona's controversial SB 1070, which gave law enforcement officers broad powers in deciphering the immigration status of an individual.

Utah's HB497, Georgia's HB87 and Indiana's HB56 all hold provisions allowing law enforcement to check perpetrators' immigration status during an arrest, although the conditions in each state vary. However, states have tried to learn from what happened in Arizona. For example, Utah passed three immigration laws and established a guest worker program that would allow illegal immigrants to work, with one stipulation being that they learn English. Small concessions such as these have done little to quiet critics who take issue with the intrusiveness of the laws.

On the federal level, President Obama has made the DREAM Act the focal point of his immigration reform. The act died last year in the Senate thanks to a Republican filibuster. Under the DREAM Act, "qualifying undocumented youth would be eligible for a six year long conditional path to citizenship that requires completion of a college degree or two years of military service."

At all levels, immigration legislation has run into problems. State laws are continually challenged in courts for violating civil liberties. At the federal level, the DREAM Act has yet to become law despite its reintroduction in May of this year.

Ratings Galore

The media have cashed in on illegal immigration by fueling partisanship. Illegal immigration provides the perfect backdrop for screaming pundits on the left and right. The media have the keen ability to simplify complicated issues into basic arguments. Republicans are portrayed as nativists who desire the expulsion of illegal immigrants because they drain the country's resources and take jobs. Democrats want to continue entitlement programs for illegal immigrants while regular Americans struggle to find work.

For proof, look to Ann Coulter, who has made a living off of chastising liberals. According to the Los Angeles Times, Coulter said, "Then, the Democrats latched on to blacks as another mob to be led - just like women, gays, Hispanics, illegal immigrants, government workers, etc., etc." Representing the left is Keith Olbermann, who once called immigration laws "xenophobic" on one of his "Worst Person in the World" segments, according to the Washington Post. The media continue to paint both sides as "fringe" elements incapable of coming to an agreement.

Playing Both Sides

Sen. McCain's comments simply reminded a country in the economic wilderness that illegal immigration is still an issue. Despite all the political wheeling and dealing, the nation lacks a comprehensive plan for illegal immigration. According to the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials, Latinos now make up 16.3 percent of America's total population. Pew Hispanic Center points out that in 2008, Hispanics represented 9 percent of the vote. With so much influence, both parties are hesitant to alienate Hispanics. But they also need to create the illusion immigration reform is on the horizon. In reality, heated rhetoric pertaining to illegal immigration will continue yet little will be done on the legislative front. A significant bloc of voters could be lost if either party makes the wrong move before the 2012 elections. Neither party will be moving on illegal immigration with the White House in play.

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Pa. Republicans Aim to Pass Voter ID Legislation (ContributorNetwork)

在 ServiceModel 客户端配置部分中，找不到引用协定“TranslatorService.LanguageService”的默认终结点元素。这可能是因为未找到应用程序的配置文件，或者是因为客户端元素中找不到与此协定匹配的终结点元素。
在 ServiceModel 客户端配置部分中，找不到引用协定“TranslatorService.LanguageService”的默认终结点元素。这可能是因为未找到应用程序的配置文件，或者是因为客户端元素中找不到与此协定匹配的终结点元素。

Back in 2006, Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell, a Democrat, vetoed a bill that a largely Republican legislature passed that would have required voters to show identification before casting a vote in any election. Fast forward to 2011 and the Republicans are asserting their presence to bring photo ID verification to places of polling everywhere, reports he Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. This time around, Republicans control the state House, Senate, and governorship. A bill that would require voters to show photo ID before having their say may speed through into law. Here is a look at some of the questions:

Why require photo ID to vote?

The main reason behind a photo ID requirement has to do with eliminating voter fraud, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. While the exact number of instances of voter fraud in Pennsylvania is somewhat unclear, in 2008 the GOP claimed that a community group, ACORN, had falsely registered voters to swing support in favor of soon-to-be-President Barack Obama. ACORN would soon after have a few problems of its own.

Would the be any exceptions?

While Pennsylvania Democrats attempted to place a number of exceptions to the photo ID rule via amendments to the bill, Republicans managed to shoot them all down. However, the bill includes exceptions for anyone with religious beliefs against being photographed and residents in care facilities that serve as their place of polling.

Will the state senate pass the bill?

State senators have said they will review the bill before acting on it. Since the legislation passed along party lines in the House, the Senate is likely to pass the bill along similar lines. By extension, Corbett, who is Republican, is likely to put his signature to the document.

Is the bill constitutional?

While opinions are somewhat split, the constitutionality of the law was challenged by state Democrats several times. The main sticking point is that photo IDs generally need to be purchased, which could come into play in the inevitable legal challenge to the legislation. The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, other states are also grappling with the same problem. However, supporters are quick to point out that the law simply guarantees the constitutional right of one person and one vote.

Isn't it going to cost money to enforce the law?

In short, enforcement of any legislation costs money. As for how much, no one really has that answer, but Democrats claim the total could be millions of dollars a year, reports the Associated Press.

Jason Gallagher is a former travel professional and long-time Pennsylvania resident. These experiences give him a first-hand look at developing situations in the state and everything included in the travel industry from technology to trends.

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