Originally posted at America’s Voice.

Yesterday, DC-based think tank NDN hosted “Politicsand Policy: What to Expect from the Immigration Debate,” a panel discussion between NDN president Simon Rosenberg, ImmigrationWorks president Tamar Jacoby, and executive director of the National Immigration Forum, Ali Noorani.

The three discussed the current debate on immigration and prospects for reform going into the fall legislative session.

Ms. Jacoby spoke of a new alliance being formed across business sectors in favor of immigration reform. In past attempts at reform, each sector (agriculture, service, etc.) lobbied only for its own interests, but now, largely through the efforts of Immigration Works, these sectors are finding new strength in a unified voice for change.

This message of “strength through unity” was also echoed by Mr. Noorani. With over 500 organizations united behind a common goal of 279congressional votes for comprehensive immigration reform, Mr. Noorani explained that this campaign is operating at a level of organization unprecedented in the immigration movement. Mr. Noorani also stressed the importance of Senator Schumer’s leadership for reform, telling the audience:

“There’s no turning back Senator Schumer. He is in this to win it.”

Finally, Simon Rosenberg of NDN discussed the ever-increasing importance of Latino voters in the American political landscape. When an audience member expressed concern that fear-mongering and xenophobia could harm the movement for reform, Rosenberg responded that he believes recent events,including the election of President Obama, signal that:

“The country is becoming more intolerant of intolerance.”

Categories: comprehensive immigration reform

Tags: immigration debate, immigration policy, immigration politics, ndn