Are Republicans Finally Understanding the Importance of Immigration Reform?

Immigration reform has quickly moved to the forefront of Washington politics. Over the past week, several hundred lobbyists have descended on the capital to persuade Republican House members to support a comprehensive immigration reform bill, and it appears that GOP is finally taking the hint.

Three Republican congressmen from California and Florida signed on to the Democrat-led House bill this week. On Wednesday, Reps. David Valadao (R-Calif.), Jeff Denham (R-Calif.) and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Fla.) signed the H.R.15 bill, which now has 190 co-sponsors. The bill needs 218 votes to get a majority of the House of Representatives.

On Thursday, another Republican congressman renewed his support for immigration reform to be passed this year. Rep. Fred Upton (R-Mich.) said that he plans to take an active role in getting immigration reform passed in the House this year, MLive reported. Upton spoke in front of members of a local Rotary Club and said “the current system is really broken in every way.”

“I will be part of a bipartisan effort to fix the problem, because it has to be fixed,” Upton said. “To me, doing nothing is not acceptable.”

This is not the first time the congressman has voiced his support for a bipartisan House bill on immigration reform. In July, shortly after the Senate’s bill was passed, Upton stated he would support a bipartisan bill coming out of the House.

The Michigan congressman reiterated his focus on border security, but stopped short of supporting a pathway to citizenship. Instead, he said, “We need somewhat of a pathway to legal status.”

This week, Upton said that he believes there are between 120 to 140 Republicans willing to support immigration reform in the House. He added that he believed the two parties could work together to pass a bill before the 2014 midterm elections. “I hope it really does not spill into next year,” Upton said. “I believe there is still time this year.”

Upton’s renewed support for immigration reform is part of a growing number of Republicans who are shifting towards an issue that affects so many Hispanics in the country. According to MLive, Upton’s Kalamazoo office was the target of immigration reform demonstrations, which are occurring more frequently across the country.

Hispanic voters are becoming an increasingly vocal group in American politics. The group, which represents the largest minority group in the country, was vital in the reelection of President Barack Obama and in the voting of Democratic members of Congress. As the 2014 midterm election and the 2016 presidential elections loom closer, the importance of nabbing Hispanic voters steadily increases for the Republican party.

According to Bloomberg, Republicans will, eventually, pass immigration reform. Migration Policy Institute’s Muzaffar Chishti told Bloomberg that he believes “2015 is in many ways the best year” to pass immigration reform. He added, “If the Hispanic vote keeps on going the way it has, that will send a message.”

The Republican Party cannot afford to not attract more Hispanic voters in future elections. According to the Atlantic, the GOP cannot win elections with its primarily white voter base. During the 2012 presidential elections, the GOP ticket only garnered 20 percent of the non-white vote, which led to a devastating loss for the party. The GOP knows this and seems to be taking steps to appeal to more Hispanic voters. But will it be enough?