The Battle over Hearts (A Certain Immigration Update)

Michele Bachmann says that ignoring the interests of American workers is the opposite of compassion: "Bachmann told the audience at the Faith and Freedom Coalition conference today that being ”people of compassion” on immigration means opposition to amnesty for illegal immigrants, because the policy would hurt American workers and legal immigrants."

National Journal: How Marco Rubio and Rand Paul could team up to pass Gang of Eight bill: "Rubio badly needs immigration reform to pass, having invested so much time and political stock in the bill's passage and lacking a major legislative achievement. Sens. Ted Cruz of Texas and Mike Lee of Utah signaled this week that their votes are out of reach, leaving Paul as Rubio's best hope for a prominent tea party wingman."

Politico reports on how President Obama is trying to network with House Republicans in the hope of passing some immigration bill.

Some House Republicans demand that the "Hastert rule" be applied on immigration; the Speaker's office remains open to possibilities.

Mickey Kaus says that concerns about DUI convictions are driving Democratic opposition to the Cornyn amendment.

Mark Krikorian writes that some in the GOP establishment believe that enforcement will actually happen this time (though he thinks this belief is unrealistic).

The Hill reports that the Cornyn amendment could be used as a vehicle for Republicans to back the president's immigration plan:

A Republican senator who is wavering over whether to support the bill said Cornyn’s vote would bring along a large group of colleagues because Cornyn is the Republican whip and represents a border state.
Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) suggested earlier in the week that his vote and the support of other Republicans could be contingent on the fate of Cornyn’s proposals.

Conn Carroll remarks,

The Cornyn amendment requires both the DHS Secretary and the Customs and Border Patrol Commissioner to certify, “under the penalty of perjury,” that the triggers have been met before illegal immigrants can become citizens. It also requires the DHS Inspector General to certify completion of the triggers (although not under the penalty of perjury).
That’s it. That is the big difference between the two bills on how completion of the security measures are verified. S. 744 requires DHS Secretary certification, while Cornyn requires certification from the DHS Secretary, the CBP Commissioner, and the DHS IG.
So far no Democrats have objected to this framework. It is hard to see how Cornyn and pro-amnesty Republicans can’t split the difference on the substance of triggers while letting Cornyn keep his verification mechanism.