Any legislation that allows the lawbreakers to stay and work here--the object of their crime--is amnesty. Gutierrez knows that as do the Reps pushing it. Citizenship is just the cherry on top.
And according to the Pew poll cited, most Hispanics view legalization of status so they won't be deported as being more important than citizenship. Thus, the Dems and Reps have a deal. The Reps want a doubling of our guest worker programs. Legalization is just a bargaining chip.
And the Dems can still use the citizenship issue as a club against the GOP. The reality is that legal immigration will make the Dems the permanent majority party regardless.
I definitely understand the tactical aspects of Luis Gutierrez’s plea, and I certainly can see the terrible ramifications of any amnesty bill. But his is an emotional appeal, when we split up American families all the time that break the law.