Sen. Specter and Immigration Policy

The nation (and particularly here in Washington, DC) is still abuzz with Senator Arlen Specter’s switch from Republican to Democrat (CNN news article).   The political implications are important - the U.S. Senate’s balance of power will be 59 in favor of the Democrats.

Filibuster Proof Majority?

With the very likely possibility that when Al Franken becomes Minnesota’s junior senator, the Democrats will have 60 Senate seats, which will give them a very strong filibuster-proof majority.

With Sen. Specter’s party switch, one of the immediate questions is how would that impact the possibility and the nature of a comprehensive immigration reform.  With 60 Senate seats in Democrat hands, passing a comprehensive immigration reform may be so much easier now because the Republicans would not be able to oppose and filibuster a proposal with which they do not agree.

Sen. Specter’s Immigration Record

Senator Specter’s record suggests that he would support many of the immigration proposals already circulating in Washington.  Sen. Specter supports “pathway to citizenship” and a “guest worker program” which some opponents call “amnesty.”  He introduced the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006, which was passed by the Senate on 25 May 2006 before reaching a stalemate in the House.

Additionally, Sen. Specter has supported a Guest Worker program (in 2006), has supported allowing illegal aliens to participate in Social Security (2006), and supported visas for skilled workers (1998).  He is considered to hold an open-border stance.

Conclusion

While it is very early to talk about immigration reform, Sen. Specter’s switch to the Democrat party makes it more likely that a comprehensive immigration reform will happen and that it would contain some favorable provisions to aliens already in the country and for skilled workers applying for immigration benefits.   We will continue to be part of Washington’s immigration reform dialogue and provide updates and analysis on the issue over the next months.   If you have not already done so, you can subscribe to our Newsletter to receive weekly updates on this and other related topics.