Amnesty Advocates Defeated in Budget Battle, But Promise Rematch in January - Breitbart
Description: Defeat Exposed Gap Between Amnesty Advocates' Skewed Polls and the Politicians' Sense of Voters' Views
Keywords: Amnesty, DACA, DREAMer, illegal immigration, immigration,Big Government, Economics, Immigration,amnesty
Date: 2017-12-21T21:45:44-08:00

# Amnesty Advocates Defeated in Budget Battle, But Promise Rematch in January

Aaron P. Bernstein/Getty Images

by Neil Munro 21 Dec 2017 0

21 Dec, 2017 21 Dec, 2017

## Amnesty advocates lamented their defeat in the Christmas budget fight but promised to win the next 2018 budget showdown, due by January 19.

The defeat prompted angry accusations by illegals and by Latino politicians, a shouting match with Democratic leader Sen. Chuck Schumer, renewed predictions of 2018 amnesty victory by business groups, and warnings from American voters that the battle will be refought in January.

The failure by the amnesty groups reflects the deep unpopularity of the Democrats’ s expensive, one-sided, no-strings DREAM Act amnesty, which offered no benefits whatsoever to the 300 million Americans already reeling from the impact of the federal government’s mass-immigration economic policy.

Also, top GOP leaders — including House Speaker Paul Ryan and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, but especially President Donald Trump — recognized public opinion, exposed the Democrats’ amnesty-or-shutdown bluff and won a clear budget victory for the GOP.

Schumer, the Democrats’ Senate leader, also recognized the public opposes an amnesty and so he rebuffed last-minute lobbying by Latino politicians for a Senate filibuster.

Democrats started the budget debate by demanding a no-strings amnesty for 3.25 million younger ‘dreamer’ illegals — which includes the roughly 690,000 DACA illegals — plus a future amnesty for their illegal-immigrant parents and their chain-migration relatives. Americans would have to pay for the amnesty with $26 billion in taxes over the first ten years, plus extra diversity conflict, lower wages and more competition for jobs.

Throughout the two-month fight for the “clean DREAM Act,” Schumer kept his distance from activist threats to shut down the government if the GOP rejected an amnesty.

Schumer’s caution may be explained by his support for the disastrous 2013 “Gang of Eight” amnesty. That one-sided amnesty passed the Senate — but was blocked by polls and by House Speaker John Boehner. The next year, Schumer lost nine seats in the Senate, ensuring he lost his chance to become the Senate’s Majority Leader. And one year later in 2015, Donald Trump launched his run for presidency with a promise to make immigration work for Americans, not just for CEOs, ethnic lobbies and immigrants.

> .@HispanicCaucus members waiting to speak to Schumer in his office. pic.twitter.com/b6yJBjWVoE

> — Laura Barrón-López (@lbarronlopez) December 21, 2017

According to the Washington Post, the visit to Schumer by the Latino politicians turned into a shouting match:

> Rep. Luis Gutiérrez (D-Ill.) — arguably the most outspoken Democrat on immigration matters — spoke next and unloaded on Schumer, accusing him and Democratic senators of not caring about the fate of dreamers and “throwing them under the bus” in the ongoing spending debate with Republicans, participants said.

> In response, Schumer raised his voice, telling Gutiérrez not to insult fellow Democrats …

> Rep. Tony Cárdenas (D-Calif.), who represents parts of Los Angeles and oversees the PAC that helps bankroll the campaigns of Latino congressional candidates, told Schumer that Latino lawmakers expect “no more mañanas” — no more “tomorrows” — when it comes to immigration.

In response to the Hispanic caucus’ filibuster request, Schumer allowed 28 Democratic Senators to vote against the budget. That was 13 fewer Senators than what was needed to block the temporary budget deal.

Hispanic politicians would gain from the arrival of more Hispanic voters, but other Democratic politicians fear a hostile public reaction in November 2018. The budget-showdown defeat was recognized by the leading Hispanic advocate for amnesty, Gutierrez:

> This fight continues in January & I think Dems are on same page now. Good of the country must outweigh any political calculations, therefore we'll be moving forward on #DreamAct under leadership of @RepLujanGrisham @NancyPelosi @SenSchumer & allies in House & Senate. https://t.co/qbUFCSkf8c

> — Luis V. Gutierrez (@RepGutierrez) December 21, 2017

The business-funded Silicon Valley lobby, titled FWD.us, also promised to fight again for an amnesty in January.

> 29 days for Congress to protect 800,000 Dreamers from deportation.
> We are closer than ever. We will do this.

> GO. FIGHT. WIN.

> — Todd Schulte (@TheToddSchulte) December 22, 2017

The investors’ group said the defeat was “incredibly difficult and disappointing.”

> Our Statement on Congress' Failure to Pass a Legislative Solution for Dreamers This Year:

> The time is now for Congress to stand up. https://t.co/k0VVNrJxlH pic.twitter.com/S3ZoSSyhai

> — FWD.us (@FWD_us) December 22, 2017

Business groups and Democrats tout the misleading, industry-funded “nation of immigrants” polls which pressure Americans to say they welcome migrants. The alternative “fairness” polls show that voters put a much higher priority on helping their families, neighbors, and fellow nationals get decent jobs in a high-tech, high-immigration, low-wage economy.

Those skewed polls were also touted by Schumer’s top deputy, Democratic Sen. Rick Durbin:

> 83% of Americans support keeping Dreamers in America. Retweet if you do too. #DreamActNow pic.twitter.com/CfJohdJAyJ

> — Senator Dick Durbin (@SenatorDurbin) December 19, 2017

The billionaire investors who run FWD.us — including Mark Zuckerberg and Bill Gates — are backing a no-strings DACA amnesty trying to increase the flow of low-wage college graduates into the United States. By passing a no-strings DACA amnesty, FWD.us’ investors hope to prevent President Donald Trump from trading a DACA amnesty in exchange for deep cuts in immigration numbers.

The pro-amnesty business groups are supported by some Republicans, including 34 Republican House legislators who signed a vague-but-supportive letter on December 5. The Gang of 34 includes Rep. Carlos Curbelo, who pushed hard in public for a no-strings amnesty, and who claimed on Thursday that he nearly had enough pro-amnesty GOP legislators to issue their own amnesty-of-shutdown threat:

> We had the votes to force a compromise that would combine a #DACA fix for #Dreamers with border security measures before the end of the year, but too many members lacked the resolve. This cannot happen in January.

> — Carlos Curbelo (@carloslcurbelo) December 22, 2017

The 34 GOP legislators who signed the failed amnesty request were:

> Rep. Mike Coffman (CO-6), Rep. Carlos Curbelo (FL-26), Rep. Illeana Ros-Lehtinen (FL-27), Rep. Jeff Denham (CA-10), Rep. Mimi Walters (CA-45), Rep. David Valadao (CA-21),, Rep. Mike Simpson (ID-2), Rep. Adam Kinzinger (IL-16), Rep. Rodney Davis (IL-13), Rep. Susan Brooks (IN-5), Rep. Bruce Poliquin (ME-2), Rep. Fred Upton (MI-6), Rep. Leonard Lance (NJ-7), Rep. Frank Lo??Biando (NJ-2), Rep. Tom MacArthur (NJ-3), Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-4), Rep. Elise Stefanik (NY-21), Rep. John Faso (NY-19), Rep. John Katko (NY-24), Rep. Peter King (NY-2), Rep. Mark Amodei (NV-2), Rep. Glenn T. Thompson (PA-5), Rep. Ryan Costello (PA-6), Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-8), Rep. Charles Dent (PA-15), Rep. Pat Meehan (PA-7), Rep. Joe Barton (TX-6), Rep. Will Hurd (TX-23), Rep. Mia Love (UT-4), Rep. Chris Stewart (UT-2), Rep. Scott Taylor (VA-2), Rep. Dave Reichert (WA-8), and Rep. Dan Newhouse(WA-4).

The defeat also ensured finger-pointing between the Democratic leadership and their Latino ethnic lobbies.

An organizer with the union-backed United We Dream Coalition described Democrats as voting for “garbage.”

> To the Dems upset about my tweets today, try spending the last wk getting less of you to vote like garbage instead of focusing on house R mods. Trust me I very so much wish I didn't need to pressure you to support people 90% of Americans want legalized. You did this to yourself.

> — Alida Garcia (@leedsgarcia) December 22, 2017

A pro-migration advocacy group complained that the illegals were ignored by Democrats.

> So all the talk about @TheDemocrats shutting down govt for #DACA legislation was just talk. No action at all by Dems when pressed. They didn’t fight at all for Dreamers today. #DeportationCaucus

> — Latino Rebels (@latinorebels) December 21, 2017

The UWD group promised more aggressive confrontations in January:

> We are not going anywhere until we get a Dream Act! #DreamActNow

> To join the fight: Text DreamActNow to 877877 pic.twitter.com/r11ZmTzWdt

> — United We Dream (#DreamActNow: 478-488-8059) (@UNITEDWEDREAM) December 22, 2017

Senate Democrats who recognize the unpopularity of amnesty were described as members of the deportation caucus.

> BREAKING: The House and Senate passed the spending bill without the #DreamAct. Make no mistake, every Democrat on this list voted for the deportation of young people who deserve to live a life with peace and dignity in the place they call home. #DeportationCaucus #NoDreamNoDeal pic.twitter.com/7UL1PuxEb6

> — Eduardo Samaniego DREAMER👊 (@EduSamani) December 22, 2017

> Right now, @SenSchumer is the Leader of the #DeportationCaucus. But he’ll have another chance to be a real leader in 4 weeks, the next time he’ll have leverage to use.

> We ask that he publicly commit to voting against the next funding bill unless it contains the Dream Act. 9/9

> — Angel Padilla (@AngelRafPadilla) December 22, 2017

The aggressive pro-amnesty protests were welcomed by Mark Krikorian, the director of the Center for Immigration Studies, who predicts they will solidify public and politicians’ opposition to angry illegals.

> Throw them out in November! Show them who's boss! https://t.co/khrRhXNglM

> — Mark Krikorian (@MarkSKrikorian) December 22, 2017

> You definitely should target for defeat these Dems who voted for the spending bill. They don't deserve to hold office! No progressive should vote for them! https://t.co/OkaufTetBa

> — Mark Krikorian (@MarkSKrikorian) December 22, 2017

Likely 2020 presidential candidate Sen. Elizabeth Warren touted her vote against the amnesty-free budget, saying:

> I voted no tonight on a CR that does not include the #DreamActNow. Congress shouldn’t leave town to celebrate the holidays with our families while 800k Dreamers fear being ripped apart from their families & deported to a country they barely know. We must keep our promise. pic.twitter.com/wgG5Y2AuPo

> — Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) December 22, 2017

California’s Sen. Diane Feinstein, whose electorate is increasingly Hispanic, announced she would publicly align with the amnesty push:

> BREAKING: @SenFeinstein has just joined the Members of Congress who are committed to withholding their vote from any spending bill that does not include a #DreamActNow.

> This is the result of months of pressure and organizing by UWD leaders, @nakasec, and @CIYJA! pic.twitter.com/jgNSMwo3uY

> — United We Dream (#DreamActNow: 478-488-8059) (@UNITEDWEDREAM) December 21, 2017

Pro-American voters used their Twitter account to celebrate the win, and also to warn GOP legislators against a January surrender.

> My vote is to deport. You had a nice long visit, a good education, and whatever other benefits from your Illegal time here. Good bye and good luck.

> — Jim Lichte (@Uneasycoin) December 22, 2017

> DACA and GOP Chain-Migration Snow Job – January is No DACA month

> These people are citizens of another country. We're giving them dual citizenship and through Affirmative Action they will beat our kids for rest of their lives. We're making ourselves second class citizens.#MAGA pic.twitter.com/9fVIUYVnbB

> — Bruce Porter, Jr. (@NetworksManager) December 21, 2017

The pro-American groups which organized the pushback also claimed victory — but also warned of more fights.

> We've won! Congress leaves DC without passing #DACA #Amnesty!
> Illegals leaving Washington in defeat! Americans win the battle of Amnesty 2017!https://t.co/lA0Qo2JOoL pic.twitter.com/QTHRr1rCa5

> — William Gheen (@ALIPAC) December 22, 2017

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