Stalling: GOP Waiting to Pass Immigration Reform Because They Want to Win the Hispanic and Asian Vote in the 2016 Presidential Election?
House Speaker John A. Boehner has stated that it's difficult for him to take action on his proposed set of immigration reform until GOP members become more trusting of the White House, and can rely on them to implement immigration enforcement measures and new border security. Democratic Congressman Luis Gutierre remarked that claims that Boehner is reneging on the reform proposition are premature, but she also warned Boehner that he would not be "spared" if the reform does not move forward.
Many republicans suggest tabling reform until next year because it will not benefit them in the 2014 elections, as many House Republicans reside over white-majority districts. Presently, Latinos only sternly threaten the party's hold on 14 seats, though 44 GOP districts have been identified as having "Latino influence." During the 2016 presidential election, the Republican Party hopes to improve reception in swing states that are Hispanic and Asian-heavy, such as Colorado, Nevada, Florida and Virginia. However, if Republicans wait to confront reform until 2016, they're likely to experience the same level of support as Mitt Romney, who promoted a policy of "self-deportation." The decision to hold off does not please the immigration activists who are lobbying for the reform to be passed this year. California Republicans Jeff Denham and David Valadao, who are in Latino-majority districts, even signed onto a Democratic proposal modeled on the Senate's bipartisan bill.
"No Republican is safe" is a promise that was announced by immigrant activists who are pushing for immediate reform, and demanding that the White House suspend deportations for undocumented citizens who would be spared under the reform. Republicans have attempted to blame reform delays for the passing of the reform on the White House, but activists have shown that they intend to hold the GOP responsible.