Despite widespread popular support for immigration reform, there are some lingering doubts that the House of Representatives is willing or able to pass the Senate immigration bill.
Immigration reform has been a major goal of farm lobbyists for more than a decade. With a significant chunk of American farm labor being done by undocumented immigrants, farmers have been eager for major immigration reforms, hoping that changing federal laws will entice more farm laborers into the United States.
While the Senate passed a comprehensive immigration reform bill that expands the federal work visa program and offers a pathway to citizenship, the bill may be stalled in the House. Speaker John Boehner has already pledged not to let the bill reach the House floor, dooming it before it even has a chance.
Despite this pledge, some representatives are quietly building support for the bill. If Boehner were to allow a vote, they say, there may well be enough Democrats and Republicans to pass the bill. Assuming that all House Democrats vote for the bill, only 20 Republicans would be required.
However, the bill will ultimately rise or fall on whether or not John Boehner is willing to let the bill reach the House floor. If pressure from various interests groups and constituents can sway the Speaker, there is a good chance that Congress will finally pass immigration reform.
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Written by: Justin Ellison / Farm Plus Staff Writer