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Its been seen as an immutable law of Republican politics: Support immigration reform, and risk losing your seat to a more conservative challenger.

But a review of GOP congressional primaries over the past decade by the pro-immigration reform group FWD.us suggests thats actually more myth than reality: Of the House Republicans whove lost their seats in primaries, rarely was immigration a major factor.

Purely from a quantitative standpoint, the percentage of GOP primary voters who are hostile to what we might call all manner of immigration reform is pretty low, said pollster Jon Lerner, whos working with the Mark Zuckerberg-funded immigration reform group, FWD.us. Its about 20 to 25 percent or so. The Republican primary voters are much more concerned about border security and illegal hiring of illegal immigrants than they are concerned about a path toward legalization, or citizenship, to those who are already here.

(Also on POLITICO: 'War on women' takes on immigration)

Fourteen House members and senators have lost in primaries over the past decade, according to the group. Of those races, immigration was decisive in the defeat of Rep. Chris Cannon, who lost to current Utah Rep. Jason Chaffetz in 2008.

There have been other races in the past four years in which opponents pointed to an incumbents support for immigration reform to undermine his conservative bona fides Dick Lugar in Indiana and Bob Bennett in Utah are two examples.

But very infrequently has it been a deciding issue in Republican vs. Republican races, reform proponents say, despite the charged debate surrounding the issue and worry that any compromise will spur a conservative challenge.

(Also on POLITICO: Poll: A shift on immigration reform)

That combined with the fact that the window is closing for challengers to file to run, let alone mount viable campaigns is reason for pro-reform Republicans to forge ahead on the issue this year, reform advocates say. Shortly after releasing principles for immigration reform that buoyed the hopes of reform advocates, House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) said its unlikely the House will move on the issue any time soon.

There is no good time to do this is the sense that a vocal minority will get ginned up regardless, said Rob Jesmer, the campaign manager of FWD.us.

See more here:

FWD.us: GOP primary fears inflated

Perspective: By David Swaim LatinaLista

As we watch the Republicans in the House of Representatives continue to dither over immigration reform, and anti-immigration and pro-immigration groups continue the culture war over this issue, it is important to realize the issues being debated are not the cause of illegal immigration nor are the proposals a solution.

Fundamentally, the immigration problem in the U.S. is a problem of labor. Until Congress decides to address this underlying, fundamental issue, illegal immigration will continue.

The History of Immigration Reform

In 1986 Congress faced a very similar problem. Approximately six million undocumented aliens were working in the United States (including family members). Interestingly, many of those undocumented workers were in the process to obtain permanent residence but the quotas had been overwhelmed and the waiting periods extended from five to ten years. But at least there was a legal option available to employers to legalize their employees.

Congress decided to reform this process by granting legalization/amnesty to a large percentage of those six million people. Congress also passed the employers sanctions law as part of immigration reform which supposedly placed the burden of controlling illegal immigration on employers.

Even if we assume the legalization program was a success, by granting permanent residence to millions of undocumented workers, Congress did not provide for any future mechanism for employers to hire unskilled, semi-skilled and skilled workers from outside the U.S.

Although the issue of granting access to the U.S. labor market by foreign nationals is complicated and contentious, the bottom line is that U.S. employers rely on the foreign labor pool, especially from Mexico, to fill many of these types of jobs.

If Congress does not provide a legal method for employers to employ these individuals, the labor market simply disregards the law and forces employers and employees to engage in illegal conduct. In short, employers in the U.S. cannot find enough U.S. workers to fill these positions and the employees from other countries, particularly Mexico, need those jobs.

The law of supply and demand does not adhere to borders or edicts from Congress; at least for long. This may sound very basic but it is critical to understanding how we arrived in 2014 with over 11 million undocumented workers and their families.

Read the rest here:

If Immigration Reform Ever Passes, It Will Fail (Again)

Tough Questions on Immigration Reform (Part 2)
The national census should be used to determine that America #39;s borders are secure before policymakers decide how to address those who are here illegally, a t...

By: The Heritage Foundation

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Tough Questions on Immigration Reform (Part 2) - Video

Boehner unsure immigration reform can pass this year
Speaker of the House Boehner isn #39;t confident that an immigration reform measure will pass this year. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi says there #39;s no more ...

By: The Washington Examiner

See the article here:

Boehner unsure immigration reform can pass this year - Video

Congresswoman Renee Ellmers on immigration reform
Congresswoman Ellmers speaks about immigration reform during a Bibles, Badges and Business for Immigration Reform roundtable on Feb. 19, 2014.

By: bbbimmigration

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Congresswoman Renee Ellmers on immigration reform - Video