WASHINGTON — As the Obama administration pushes forward on immigration reform, Rep. Lamar Smith (R-Texas) made clear on Monday that many members of his party are deeply opposed to the White House’s plans to insist on a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants.
Smith was a longtime head of the House Judiciary Committee — he is now a member but not the chairman — and a former leader of the Immigration Subcommittee, and will likely be heavily involved in the lower chamber’s efforts for reform.
He told reporters after his remarks at a Center for Immigration Studies event that he predicts an uphill battle for any bill with a pathway to citizenship, but that he hasn’t spoken to House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) about whether it could be passed. The Center for Immigration Studies supports lowering immigration levels.
“I won’t speak for the House, but mass amnesty I think will have a hard time getting through the House,” Smith said.