Comprehensive immigration reform, “until at least after the next election, is more likely to be fodder for the campaign trail than congressional action,” says Politico. The battle over funding the Homeland Security Department, the avenue for conservative Republicans to try to block presidential orders allowing some undocumented aliens to stay in the country, extinguished interest in the Senate in tackling full-scale reform. “The issue has been relegated to the back burner as Republicans instead focus on the budget, trade deals and, possibly, tax reform,” says Politico, referring to the Senate.
“In the House, committees are humming along on some immigration bills but the leadership has shown no indication when — or if — they will come to the floor,” says Politico. The House Judiciary Committee has approved a bill that would require employers to use E-Verify, an electronic system to check if workers are eligible for employment. Farm groups oppose the E-Verify bill, saying it could deplete the farm workforce without creating a new guest-worker program or providing valid work status for undocumented employees. By some estimates, half of farm workers are undocumented.