Talk of Immigration Reform in Washington

We have been hearing an increased amount of chatter about comprehensive immigration reform in Washington.  Today the Wall Street Journal published an article saying that Rahm Emanuel, President Obama’s Chief of Staff, is increasing talk about comprehensive immigration reform and is pushing it to the agenda from possibly the second Obama term to some time in 2010.

According to the article,

While Mr. Emanuel once predicted that comprehensive immigration reform wouldn’t be considered until the second term of a Democratic president, he now says conversations on the issue will begin this year to lay the groundwork for possible action in 2010. The issue is also likely to arise next week when President Barack Obama travels to Mexico to meet with President Felipe Calderón.

It is very early to know any of the outlines of a proposed comprehensive immigration plan and it is important to realize that Mr. Emanuel’s indications do not necessarily reflect President Obama’s full and undivided attention to immigration reform.  Amid economic crisis and two wars, the Obama administration is very busy and may not find time to devote to immigration reform for some months,  but the chatter of immigration reform may be a suggestion of things to come within a year or two.