So far in this year’s election campaign, immigration reform has taken a back seat to other issues, like the war in Iraq and the economy. But several political action committees, or PACs, on both sides of the immigration issue are trying to put it back in the spotlight.
A new Chicago-based group called ImmigrationPAC is providing financial backing for pro-immigration candidates in tight Congressional races. The PAC, whose supporters include Illinois Congressman Luis Gutiérrez, has endorsed three Democrats—one in New Mexico, the others in suburban Chicago.One of its founders is a pastor named José Cruz. “Our strategy is two fold,” Cruz says. “Invest in swing races, races which are incredibly close, and then also invest where one candidate is pro-earned pathway and the other one is not.”
The PAC raised more than $28,000 through June, according to its most recent federal filings.
Meanwhile pro-enforcement supporters are also busy raising money. William Gheen of Americans for Legal Immigration says his PAC will be endorsing candidates who back enforcement of current immigration laws.