Dems Reach Out to Lou Dobbs to Build Backing for Immigration Reform

Senate Democrats have reached out to former CNN anchor and prominent illegal-immigration opponent Lou Dobbs in an effort to build broad bipartisan support for immigration reform.

Winning the support of Dobbs, who became a prominent critic of illegal immigration and proposals to grant amnesty to illegal workers, could provide a significant boost to reform efforts.

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Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), who is spearheading the Democrats’ effort to put together a comprehensive reform bill, met with Dobbs on Wednesday.

“We’re meeting with all different kinds of groups, trying to get everybody together to come out for one bill,” Schumer said.

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Schumer noted that Dobbs, who left CNN in November, is “changing his views on immigration.”

The third-ranking member of the Democratic leadership said he is looking for two Republicans to co-sponsor legislation.

“We have to have this bill be a bipartisan bill [and have] two Democrats and two Republicans to introduce it,” Schumer said. “We’re not there yet; we’re still working on getting our Republicans.”

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