Rep. Darrell Issa on tackling immigration reform

This transcript is automatically generated

Right now the White House and congress are taking a close look at reforming our nation's immigration laws.

President Obama meeting today with labor leaders progressive groups and members of the business community.

While on Capitol Hill the House Judiciary Committee is holding a hearing on America's immigration system.

Focusing on opportunities for illegal immigration and the enforcement of laws against illegal immigration.

California congressman Darrell ice -- A Republican on that committee.

We should point out there's some kind of an alarm going off in the background congressman -- thank you for sticking with us through what I'm sure -- -- A difficult exercise here.

But look this is this is said to be kind of an interesting approach to start with -- committee hearings can you tell us about it.

John this is something that began twelve years ago and that -- had a long.

Hiatus and that is reviewing that which we agree about.

Today we're hearing that we agree about high skills people particularly want to get advanced degrees in science and math from US universities.

They need to be allowed to stay here because -- -- creators of jobs we're also hearing about the need.

For a guest worker program for migrant labor for people who pick our crops.

And then in between we have eleven million people many of whom have been here a long time.

We need to come to consensus at least on the things we could agree on.

And take care of those including making sure we don't have to go through this exercise again and again.

You know America allows one million people to come here legally to become citizens every year -- the most generous in the world.

And we have to dig a little credit for the fact that even our system is broken it's still the most generous in the world it.

The Republican Party well -- seven out of 109 Hispanics in this country voted for for President Obama in the last election.

Many observers say Republicans are perceived as anti immigrant now you're a Republican.

-- is -- true.

Of course not at all this has been a challenge for a very long time new immigrants like my grandfather when he came to America from Lebanon.

Naturally seem to become Democrats over time when they realize that the pathway to success in this country is in the private -- -- freedom and opportunity.

They tend to become Republicans.

This was true biracial once were lockstep with the Democratic Party and today are almost equally split.

I think the important thing that we're dealing with today though is as a compassionate nation we cannot raise expectations.

And then shatter them.

For generation after generation of people who come here looking for jobs we've got to have a system that works.

It's enforceable.

And that is in fact fills those slots that -- today here in some cases filled by people who are here illegally you've got to solve this problem.

And set expectations and reality.

Equal that's the compassionate thing to do it's the right thing to do and -- what Republicans are talking about today Mike Emanuel said that the house is trying to get ahead of the president on the immigration issue.

The response.

Well I think that the senate was ahead of everyone in on a bipartisan bases they outlined some of the structures of a good bipartisan bill.

The president then took that repeated it but left off the enforcement triggers something that they had agreed on a bipartisan basis.

Would cause them not to have to deal with eleven million illegals again.

So in a sense he's tried the the president's trying to go to the left.

Of a bipartisan senate deal.

And I think Republicans in the house are trying to figure out what we can do.

On a bipartisan bases or partisan -- is it necessary that will help fix this problem.

Help people who want to be here and who can add to our economy.

Be here and add to our economy we know those hearings are still going on we appreciate you taking time to step out doctors for just a minute.

Congressman -- -- of California thank you.

Thank you John.

Watch Live

Rep. Darrell Issa on tackling immigration reform

Details

Clips

Powerful Politics

Mainstream media showing signs of scandal fatigue?

Will scandal cull size of IRS?

Scandals forcing Obama administration to play defense

Scandals' impact on Obama's second term agenda

Pension time bombs ready to detonate in US cities?

Jay Carney in impossible position?

Benghazi review board heads ready to testify

Grading Obama administration's response to scandal

IRS scandal: political bias or bureaucratic mismanagement?

DOJ's AP records grab: warranted or free press violation?

Political circus? Sen. Barrasso defends Benghazi probe

Possible political fallout from three Washington scandals

Transcript

Recommended