The Democratic Congressman from Maryland John Sarbanes has said that the prospect of passing immigration reform in the U.S. Congress is directly linked with healthcare reform. If Congress passes health care reform, only then will it take up legislation to reform the country's immigration system. The Congressman doesn't have a time frame for the passage of immigration reform in the foreseeable future, after new complications delayed the passage of healthcare reform bill, and after Democrats were defeated in the election for the Senate seat vacated after the death of Ted Kennedy in Massachusetts.
At a reception hosted by Dr. Hassan Jalisi, a Pakistani-American activist, in Lutherville, Maryland, on February 3, Congressman John Sarbanes told the Pakistan Post that Democrats are carefully reviewing their strategy for the passage of the healthcare reform bill in Congress. He commented that the plight of undocumented immigrants is understandable, but considers the passage of legislation to fix the country's health care system more important. Congress has yet to settle issues such as extending healthcare coverage to certain categories of immigrants. Furthermore, the U.S. Congress has witnessed deep divisions over a public option that many Democrats support. With more than 45 million Americans without health insurance, the healthcare delivery has reached crisis proportion.
Despite deep partisan divisions over healthcare reform, Congressman Sarbanes sounded optimistic and determined to contribute to the ongoing efforts to make the sweeping legislation a reality. Democrats, however, seem to be overwhelmed by the debate for healthcare reform.
Congressman Sarbanes didn't hide the grim prospects of passing immigration reform any time during 2010. "Legislation for healthcare reform has been delayed and that's why immigration reform is expected to be taken up by Congress in 2011," he said. Even pro-immigration senators, like John McCain, he pointed out, have opted to stay silent due to new political challenges on the question of immigration reform. Americans are worried by the painful effects of the economic slowdown and the Obama Administration is focusing on economic development – to mitigate people's sufferings by creating more jobs. He said hundreds of thousands of temporary jobs will be created during the U.S. Census next month. He praised the political activism of the Pakistani-American community in Maryland.
