Despite the major push this year by immigration activists supporting comprehensive immigration reform, it looks as though Congress will delay immigration reform until the end of the year or later. The delay is due to the events in Syria and the choice now facing Congress on whether to take military action there.

The New York Times reported that several Republican aids in the House told reporters that immigration has now moved to the back of the live in terms of legislative priorities. The bill, which passed in the Senate several months ago, is seen as too lenient on undocumented immigrants by some Republican Senators who oppose a pathway to citizenship.

Pro-Immigration activists all over have expressed frustration with more delays. “Families in our communities are being ripped apart by deportations, and the system is in chaos,” Tony Stieritz, Director of Catholic Social Action for the Cincinnati Archdiocese, told the Times. “A vote for delay is a vote for crisis and disorder in the current system.”

In hopes of speeding the Senate decision on immigration reform, activist organizations have planned a surge of events in October, with rallies in over 40 cities on October 5th and a march in Washington on October 8th. One of the main messages these actions will promote is a demand that the House vote on the issue before the end of the year. Activists hope they can apply enough pressure to compel lawmakers to tackle this issue before November elections, when many Senators would be hesitant to vote favorably on the controversial bill.

Meanwhile, the Obama administration remains steadfast in its commitment to immigration reform as soon as possible. “An American President has to be able to walk, chew gum, and juggle at the same time.” Obama adviser Dan Pfeiffer told the Times. “The president and his team will do everything they can to implement his overall agenda while this [Syria debate] happens.”

For further information on immigration legal matters, please contact the Law Offices of Matthew H. Green. We have offices in Tucson and Phoenix for your convenience.