Republican president, Democrat House

Last week we observed how consequential the midterms elections were as far as the balance of US political power is concerned. As what was expected, the Democrats gained the US House of Representatives while the Republicans maintained its control of majority in the US Senate. With a Republican president and a divided US Congress, it is very interesting to see how vital pieces of legislative priorities would move forward in the next two years. Without a doubt, whoever wins the White House and Congress in the next election come 2020 would be determined by the achievements, or lack thereof, of the incoming set of legislators as they work with President Trump.

As an optimist, I fully expect that the Democrat House would introduce laws that seek more protection for undocumented immigrants, asylees, refugees, and Dreamers. As a realist, with a Republican Senate and with a sitting president whose immigration policies are stricter, harsher, and with no sign of ever tempering down, there stands a little chance that something meaningful comes out in terms of immigration reforms. It would take a full dose of leadership and negotiating skills by both sides in order to pass even just a minor immigration bill. We will see what happens in the next two years as far as immigration legislation is concerned.

In another development, a day after the elections, Attorney General Jeff Sessions resigned at the request of President Trump. During his tenure of more than a year as head of the Department of Justice, Sessions instituted policies and programs that were viewed to be anti-immigrant. Whoever replaces him would be closely watched by both sides of the immigration debate if he continues Session’s tough approach.

This column is not a substitute for professional legal advice obtained from a US-licensed immigration attorney. The information contained herein does not constitute a warranty or guarantee or legal advice regarding a reader’s specific immigration case. No attorney-client relationship is and shall be established with any reader.

For any questions, comments and observations, please contact Atty. Marco Tomakin at [email protected]