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Noorani said the red state's compact also surfaces in "liberal circles as a ray of hope that there is a constructive approach from a conservative perspective."

He noted his Washington, D.C.-based group "really started with the Utah Compact" as its model as the forum aims to engage faith, law enforcement and business leaders in an approach "that has come to be known as Bibles, badges and business for immigration reform."

Noorani added that the compact even has affected debate in Congress.

What the compact did there, he said, "was lay the foundation for a different way to have a conversation. Once you had that foundation, it was a lot easier to get to a policy debate."

Noorani does not foresee immigration reform clearing Congress anytime soon because of "hyper-polarization" on the issue. He is in Utah to talk to leaders and send a message to politicians that reform is still sought by many in the state and the need is urgent.

He said reform may come as more people get to know immigrant neighbors "and see they are good people."

He added that ongoing litigation over President Barack Obama's orders not to deport many adults and the upcoming 2016 presidential campaign could put more focus on immigration reform.

"The 2016 election will remind Republicans that the world is a changing," he said, "and they have a real chance to take credit for fixing the system."

Utah leaders have a range of other views on the compact. Anti-illegal-immigration activists see it as a sort of disaster for their cause, while Latino activists credit it for cooling the surging hate they had seen.

Ron Mortensen, a fellow at the Center for Immigration Studies and an activist against illegal immigration, on Wednesday called the compact "a business- driven effort to help businesses benefit from illegal immigration and avoid their responsibilities for hiring illegal immigrants."

Link:
Utah Compact the 'gift that keeps on giving,' says national immigration-reform leader

Ongoing Demonstrations for Comprehensive Immigration Reform

By: Annenberg Media Center

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Ongoing Demonstrations for Comprehensive Immigration Reform - Video

Immigration reform looks dead in this Congress - Politico Some in Congress have talked of Senate GOP leaders bringing back the immigration reform issue, after the Department of Homeland Security was funded without limits on President Obama's immigration plan. But "few within the GOP expect any kind of immigration debate in the Senate in the foreseeable future. The issue has been relegated to the back burner as Republicans instead focus on the budget, trade deals and, possibly, tax reform."

California Border Patrol Supervisor Arrested Over Bathroom Camera - Reuters U.S. Border Patrol supervisor Armando Gonzalez, 46, is being held on charges that he hid a camera in the women's bathroom at the San Diego border patrol station. Gonzales had been under investigation since his arrest Jan. 9 by police. From the story: "San Diego police had responded to the border station after receiving a report that a camera had been discovered in the women's restroom, according to a police statement."

Judge's ruling halting Obama immigration orders shows how lawyers play the odds venue shopping - Associated Press The practice is referred to as "venue shopping," and immigration advocates say it's what took place in the 26-state lawsuit against President Obama's executive immigration order. From the story: "Immigration advocates say that lawyers for the state of Texas were seeking a court with sympathetic judges when they filed their case in Brownsville. They found one in U.S. District Judge Andrew Hanen, who on Feb. 16 halted Obama's immigration action. "

Qualified immigrants still face threat of deportation - Houston Chronicle Attorneys say that some immigrants who would qualify for immigration relief under executive action are still being detained or deported. From the story: "...lawyers and advocates say the lack of legal clarity and overall confusion means federal authorities are inconsistently adhering to the new deportation rules which remain in effect and are intended to protect immigrants with deep roots here, who have no serious criminal record and are parents to American children."

In Southern California, generations of immigrants are creating an evolving definition of "American." Multi-American is your source for news, conversation and insight on this emerging regional and national identity.

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In immigration news: No reform prospects, 'venue shopping' in immigration lawsuit, camera in border bathroom, more

Enda Kenny: Theres an issue about the waiver scheme and the way it applies. Photograph: Bloomberg

The Taoiseach, at the end of his remarks in the Oval Office next to Barack Obama, noted that it was unique for a country as small as Ireland to have this reach right to the centre of influence.

On the subject of immigration reform a topic of great interest to the Taoiseach, as Obama put it Enda Kenny on his annual St Patricks Day visit to Washington had to work his influence at both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue, in the White House and in Congress.

Obamas executive actions bypassing Congress last year to protect millions of illegal migrants from deportation, have been frozen by the US courts. His ambitions for a broad reform of immigration law have been blocked by Republicans. Kenny is caught between two conflicting forces.

The Irish Times takes no responsibility for the content or availability of other websites.

At the St Patricks Day breakfast in the residence of vice president Joe Biden, Kenny said the issue may well be somewhat intractable.

[This] is an issue that I know you can deal with, he told mostly Democratic senators at the Biden residence.

Finding consensus in Washingtons political gridlock is a challenge. Kenny has certainly softened his cough since his St Patricks Day visit last year. Much has changed since then, with the Republicans winning control of Congress by taking a majority in the Senate in last years midterm elections.

This puts John Boehner, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell in the driving seat. Kennys people did well to get some face time with them after he attended the Speakers Paddys Day lunch in the Capitol with Obama.

Given the limited chances of broad immigration reforms, the Taoiseach discussed with Obama the possibility of visa waivers that would allow many US-based illegal Irish to return to Ireland to regularise their immigration status without being hit with three- or 10-year bars. The US embassy in Mexico has shown similar flexibility that could be applied in the case of illegal Irish.

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Analysis: Immigration reform to the fore for Taoiseach in US

An Taoiseach Enda Kenny presents US President Barack Obama with a large pot of shamrocks to mark St. Patrick's Day. Video: Reuters

Speaker of the House John Boehner, US president Barack Obama and Taoiseach Enda Kenny after they attended the St Patricks Day lunch on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. Photograph: Alex Wong/Getty Images

Simon Carswell, Mary Minihan

Taoiseach Enda Kenny used his annual St Patricks Day trip to Washington to press for help for illegal Irish immigrants but said there was an issue around lifting long-term travel bans stopping undocumented people travelling back and forth to Ireland.

Speaking at the annual St Patricks Day breakfast for Mr Kenny hosted by vice-president Joe Biden, the Taoiseach said the issue of immigration reform may well be somewhat intractable.

Later, after meeting US president Barack Obama at the Oval Office, Mr Kenny described as a disappointment the legal stalling of Mr Obamas executive action designed to bypass the Republican-led Congress and aiming to protect up to five million illegal immigrants from deportation.

The Irish Times takes no responsibility for the content or availability of other websites.

The measures were expected to assist illegal Irish unable to return home for family occasions such as weddings and funerals and emergencies without being blocked on their return to the US.

In the Oval Office, Mr Kenny said that he discussed with Mr Obama the possibility of visa waivers that would allow illegal immigrants to return to Ireland without facing three- or 10-year travel bans for illegally overstaying old visas on their return to the US.

Legal route

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Taoiseach dampens hopes of US visa deal for Irish illegals