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Desperation Outweighs Dangers For Europe-Bound Migrants

Migrants arrive in Valletta, the Maltese capital, aboard a patrol boat on Oct. 12, a day after their boat sank, killing more than 30 people, mostly women and children — just the latest deadly migrant tragedy to hit the Mediterranean. Despite Europe's financial crisis illegal immigrants continue to attempt to enter Europe through its southern coastal countries as they seek a better life. AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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AFP/Getty Images

Parallels

Desperation Outweighs Dangers For Europe-Bound Migrants

The drowning of more than 300 African migrants off Italy's Lampedusa island earlier this month jolted the world into awareness of a long-running crisis. Tens of thousands of refugees from Syria, Somalia and beyond risk their lives each year, traveling by boat to Europe in search of a better life. Scores die en route.

Desperation Outweighs Dangers For Europe-Bound Migrants

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Immigration Overhaul Inches Forward, But Big Hurdles Remain

Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., says talk of a bipartisan agreement among eight key senators working on immigration law is "premature." Susan Walsh/AP hide caption

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Susan Walsh/AP

It's All Politics

Immigration Overhaul Inches Forward, But Big Hurdles Remain

It's still far too early to know whether Congress will be able to achieve major changes to the nation's immigration laws. All that's certain at this stage is that lawmakers on both sides of the partisan divide, and in both chambers, continue to act as though they think they can.

Immigration Opponents Remain Adamant, Despite Political Risk

A woman takes the oath of allegiance during a naturalization ceremony at the district office of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services in Newark, N.J. John Moore/Getty Images hide caption

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John Moore/Getty Images

It's All Politics

Immigration Opponents Remain Adamant, Despite Political Risk

President Obama will address the immigration issue in a speech Tuesday, following hard on the heels of a new overhaul proposal out of the Senate. Despite new momentum on the issue, those who favor a harder line against illegal immigrants are not convinced they need to change tack.

In Search Of Obama's Second-Term Agenda

President Obama holds a copy of "The New Economic Patriotism: A Plan for Jobs & Middle-Class Security," which outlines some of his agenda for a second term, during a rally in Richmond, Va., on Thursday. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images hide caption

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Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

It's All Politics

In Search Of Obama's Second-Term Agenda

The president has been relatively mum during the campaign about what he would do if given a second term. He outlined more specific ideas this week — but he hasn't explained how he would get those ideas through Congress.

For Some Iowa Voters, Immigration Is Decisive Issue

Texas Gov. Rick Perry speaks at a campaign event at Clark Electric Co-op on Dec. 27 in Osceola, Iowa. Perry's stance on immigration has troubled some Iowa voters. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images hide caption

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Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

It's All Politics

For Some Iowa Voters, Immigration Is Decisive Issue

Of course, the economy is the main issue for voters in Iowa's Jan. 3 caucuses. But as the state's Hispanic population surges, Republican candidates are struggling with how best to deal with voter concerns around illegal immigration.

For Some Iowa Voters, Immigration Is Decisive Issue

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It's All Politics

Obama's New, More Lenient Deportation Policy Could Cut Both Ways Politically

A cynical observer might view as a bid for Hispanic votes the Obama Administration's new policy to review as many as 300,000 illegal immigration cases to focus more on deporting criminals than undocumented individuals who pose little to no risk to society.The decision would use some of the criteria of the DREAM Act, which failed to get through Congress, to show leniency to young people, especially students and military veterans brought illegally to the U.S. as small children by their undocumented immigrant parents.

Obama Makes Economic Case For Immigration

President Obama makes an economic case for immigration reform at the Chamizal National Memorial on Tuesday in El Paso, Texas. Jewel Samad/Getty Images hide caption

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Jewel Samad/Getty Images

It's All Politics

Obama Makes Economic Case For Immigration

In his El Paso, Tex. speech Tuesday, the president had to explain why legalizing millions of illegal immigrants wouldn't hurt Americans economically. He argued that illegal immigrants force down U.S. wages since workers lacking legal status can be more readily exploited by unethical employers.