Staudinger offers context for Press-Gazette story on immigration

The Press-Gazette on Friday (Feb. 15) took at look at the immigration reform debate through the lens of area farmers, many of whom rely on employees who are not U.S. citizens. Faculty member Alison Staudinger offered her expertise for the story, noting the multifaceted and critical nature of the immigration debate. Republican legislators need to make gains with the growing Hispanic population, Staudinger said, adding that while Democrats have consistently won the Hispanic vote, Republican positions on social issues often match up well with that population. “Both sides seem to see immigration as they key to capturing those votes,” she said, “and now they are scrambling to get there first in a way they can justify to their individual states or districts, which may be less open to immigration reform than the national parties.” Full story.