Paul Ryan Invites Hispanics to Talk About Immigration Reform

Declaring that the nation's current immigration policy "doesn't work for anyone," U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan said Wednesday he is planning a bilingual town hall meeting in Racine in June to focus on the issue.

While this wouldn't be his first bilingual meeting, Ryan's decision to focus on immigration comes at a same time the Republican Party is launching an effort to lure more Hispanic voters. In November, just 27 percent of Hispanics nationwide voted for Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney and running mate Ryan — and the GOP is trying to improve those numbers.

It also comes as Congressional Republicans are divided on how to deal with the controversial issue. Some Republicans, like Ryan, want to make it possible for illegal immigrants to eventually become citizens. Other Republicans oppose any such effort as "amnesty" for those who are here illegally.

"I hope you'll all join us for a bilingual session," Ryan told a crowd at a town hall meeting in Racine, a city where 21 percent of the population is Hispanic. "I'm not sure of the date. Here in Racine, where we'll talk about immigration reform."

His plan is 'realistic,' Ryan says

Ryan told residents at the Cesar Chavez Community Center that he thinks this year is when Congress will pass meaningful immigration reform.

"What we have now is vexing and it doesn't work for anyone," he explained. "In our 21st century, post 9/11 world, our immigration policies are a matter of national and economic security."

He admitted that deporting 11 million people is unrealistic, and he said bringing people out of the shadows and making them legitimate taxpaying members of society is realistic.

"We treat people with fairness and respect by giving them a path to citizenship with a probationary visa," Ryan added. "They'll have to pay a fine and get in the back of the line, behind the folks who have come here legally."

He said the "probationary visa" would be similar to someone convicted of a crime being sentenced to probation. If, during the probationary period immigrants do nothing wrong, then they could eventually become citizens. But, anyone violating the terms of the visa would be deported.

Immigrant rights group working with Ryan

Joe Shansky, spokesman for Voces de la Frontera, Wisconsin's leading immigrant rights group, said the organization welcomes the opportunity to continue working with Ryan on common-sense reforms that make citizenship broad and affordable. However, he said the group is pushing back against the visa.

"We've met several times with Rep. Ryan, and we'll make sure we participate in this town hall to work with Mr. Ryan on creating an inclusive path to citizenship," he told Patch during a phone interview. "There are too many conditions attached to the visa to make it a viable part of any serious reform action."

For example, Shansky added, anyone with a probationary visa would be required to be employed, leaving individuals vulnerable to the whims of employers and the economy.

"What happens if someone gets laid off when the economy gets weak?" he asked. "Tying these visas to employment leaves too many people vulnerable to forces they can't control so we're pushing back against this provision."

Ryan may play a key role in reform

Ryan is considered by many in Washington to being a key to getting an immigration reform bill passed. The National Review reported last week that immigration supporters feel like Sen. Marco Rubio is their Republican key in the Senate and that Ryan would serve the same purpose in the House.

While much has been made of the Republicans' efforts to attract more Hispanic voters, Ryan told Patch after the town hall meeting that he doesn't look at voters as a particular group — and that his party shouldn't get into that way of thinking, either.

"I don't look at this as we need to do a better job of playing identity politics," Ryan said. "I just think we need to do a better job of doing a good job. I think the immigration system is broken for a lot of reasons, and I want to fix it because it's broken, and not for any political reason."