Immigration in 2021

 "Extreme demands followed up by small, slow concessions." This is the topmost negotiation tactic according to Program on Negotiation at Harvard Law School.  And that's what US Citizenship Act of 2021 is. It's an immigration package submitted by President Biden on his tenure's first day to Democratic leaders, which members of both parties would admit, huddled in the corners of Capitol Dining Hall, is bonkers. 

It's a posturing tool for both sides. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) has already tagged the idea as "mass amnesty", rightly so. The bill provides a pathway to citizenship for almost all non-criminal undocumented immigrants who were present in the US before January 1, 2021. Even to a democratic-liberal like moi, it just doesn't sound right. It's not respectful to legal immigrants to grant pathway to green cards to those who overstayed their visa last Christmas! 

Democratic Hispanic Caucus, on the other hand, is on its way to handing out fliers and pamphlets on the streets of New York and Chicago hailing the greatness of the bill [metaphorically, although not far fetched!].

Both sides know this isn't going anywhere. 

The greater truth which cannot be ignored is that within four years since former President Trump took office, American people have decided to hand over the reigns of House, Senate, and the White House to Democrats,  including a surprise victory in Georgia for both President Biden and the two Senate seats. This is a clear message for Democrats to get something done on immigration grounds. The key word is "something". 

Or else, their majority won't survive come 2022. 

The one voice of reason and rationale is that of Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), who is the great-grandfather of the Dream Act (having introduced the bill in 2001 for the first time). He understands that where there exists consensus, it must be reached. The one provision in this newly plated package that hands out permanent residency to Dreamers and TPS holders is what's doable. 

Rest is fluff. 

It is a fact that a filibuster proof majority in the Senate exists in support of providing legal status to Dreamers. And it is also a fact that perhaps nothing else can be shoved down Republicans' throats. So, unless Democrats go on a crusade to do away with filibuster and totally derail the immigration negotiations, Congress needs to close this chapter with Dreamers. 

President Biden and Democratic Caucus needs to portray a year from now that the gridlock has been unraveled. That will happen if they take advantage of small crannies through which some legislative water can seep through, instead of trying to axe out a gaping hole.