Free Republic

The GOP must steer clear of guest-worker programs and legalization without citizenship. Two of the basic rules of democratic politics are: Don’t hurt your allies, and don’t give your electoral opponents a weapon to use against you. As House Republican leaders prepare to announce their immigration principles near the end of this month, they should be aware of both rules. Two policies they are considering endorsing — legalization without citizenship and a massive increase in guest-worker visas — could sabotage the GOP’s standing with its base while also closing off future electoral roads. Legalization without citizenship would split the base...

As House Republicans prepare for their aptly-named “GOP Retreat” at the end of the month, they are planning to make immigration the centerpiece of their legislative strategy. Both Politico and Roll Call offer a glimpse into their grand scheme. They will offer a lot of window dressing about enforcement and all the things the GOP base wants to hear. But ask yourself this question: why the urgency? According to a new Gallup poll, immigration ranks among the lowest priority issues in the minds of voters. Only 3% listed it as a top issue, whereas most people felt the economy, jobs,...

John Boehner is planning to unveil a set of Republican principles for immigration reform before President Obama's State of the Union address, aiming to show the GOP is not hostile to legislation that might win them Hispanic voters. -snip if leadership's principles receive some positive feedback, Goodlatte, Cantor, and Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., could advance legislation they have discussed for the last several months. As yet, there is no legislative language drafted, however. Cantor and Goodlatte have talked about a path to citizenship for undocumented "dreamers" who came to this country as kids. Even Rep. Joe Heck, R-Nev., is discussing...

House Republicans are poised to decide the fate of an immigration overhaul at their retreat in two weeks, according to lawmakers leaving a meeting with leadership on Wednesday. -snip- According to lawmakers, GOP leaders are preparing to use the Republican retreat in Cambridge, Md., as the debate ground for an immigration overhaul.

Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) is set to make his first appearance on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” next week. According to the show, Boehner will stop by the program on Jan. 23 to talk about his “background, life as Speaker of the House and the latest news and politics.” -snip- It also comes ahead of a GOP retreat at the end of the month in Cambridge, Md., to hash out the party’s legislative agenda in the lead up to the 2014 midterm elections.