LABRADOR: AN IMPORTANT PIECE OF THE PUZZLE

Currently:

Both the House and Senate are working toward an immigration reform plan, with an end hopefully in sight. The House has still not been able to reach agreements in regards to the guest worker program, or where the agricultural workers will stand.  Discussions within Republican and Democratic parties have already started, with opinions being given, and lines being drawn. In order for a truly comprehensive bill to be passed, everyone is going to have to get on board.

Who is Raul Labrador?:

Raul Labrador is a senator from the 1st District of Idaho who takes a conservative, Republican standpoint on most issues, including immigration. He is the only Republican who also holds a seat on the House Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee and has formed a tight knit relationship with many of the other young, conservative, Republican senators piecing together the immigration reform plan. It looks as though Labrador will be a very important piece to the puzzle.

Opinions:

In recent negotiations, Labrador has stressed the need for border security, and urgency for the government to ensure undocumented immigrants will not be able to drain the United States budget. He has been quoted in the "Los Angeles Times writing “the undocumented must come out of the shadows, register and undergo thorough background checks. They must pay all taxes owed, and pay a fine. They must know English and remain employed and not become a financial burden to American taxpayers. Those who have committed serious crimes or who do not willingly come forward will not be eligible for the program”". Previously, Labrador has taken an even harsher stand on immigration. In an interview that took place in February, he stated that neither him or his fellow Republican senate members would vote in favor of giving undocumented immigrants a pathway to citizenship, and was also quoted on NPR stating "the people that came here illegally, knowingly, I do not think they should have a pathway to citizenship". Neither of these statements alone or together look promising when it comes to the idea of reform. Hopefully Labrador can take the more "pro reform" stance he has been known for in the past.

http://news.yahoo.com/whats-next-immigration-reform-074257568--politics.html;_ylt=AwrNUbFDJmNRexoAUcTQtDMD

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/07/raul-labrador-immigration-reform_n_2638484.html