Will the media in the U.S. concerned about immigration reform please stand up? Obviously there were none among the invitees to the White House`s prime time Presidential press conference last time as the issue was again MIA from the agenda.
Not a single media person given the opportunity to ask a question by Obama last night focused on the hot button issue, which ironically can bring tremendous dollars to the coffers of the U.S. if the millions living undocumented in the U.S. are forced to pay back taxes and fines under the much-touted earned legalization plan.
Now there is a money earner President Obama! The President for his part again ignored the issue focusing solidly on his economic reform agenda, ignoring the obvious economic impact immigration reform could have.
The missing element from the press conference comes as the Justice Department is believed to have pulled the plug on the nomination of Thomas Saenz, chief counsel to Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa who was set to head the department’s civil rights division.
Media reports claim it is because of Saenz’s past advocacy on behalf of immigrant rights. What? It is a troubling sign given the fact that Obama just last week – of course when pushed by the Latino Congressional Caucus and a town hall forum participant, claimed he was all for earned legalization and reform that would help bring many out of the shadows.
Yet the Los Angeles Times` Gregory Sanchez is reporting that `word is that the White House was scared off by the vocal opposition to Saenz from anti-immigrant groups` so they canned the appointment.
