Dem going to Cantor’s backyard

A leading Democratic advocate for immigration reform is heading to Majority Leader Eric Cantor’s backyard in Virginia to pressure Cantor to bring up legislation for a vote.

Rep. Luis Gutiérrez (D-Ill.) plans to hold a rally with activists for an immigration overhaul on the steps of the Virginia state Capitol on May 28 in Richmond, just outside the border of Cantor’s congressional district.

{mosads}The appearance by Gutierrez will come less than two weeks before Cantor faces a primary election against a challenger, David Brat, who has criticized his support for offering citizenship to some immigrants who were brought into the U.S. illegally as children.

Cantor has drawn fire from both sides on immigration, with advocates for an overhaul of the system blaming him for blocking votes on the House floor to give legal status to illegal immigrants serving in the military, despite his personal support for the policy.

Along with Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio), Cantor has said a lack of trust between President Obama and House Republicans has prevented immigration reform from advancing in the lower chamber.

An advisory for the Richmond event said Gutierrez would discuss “the particularly important role that [Cantor] needs to play in reforming the system.”

Cantor’s primary is June 10. Gutierrez has previously traveled to the district of Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) to pressure him to support immigration reform that would give legal status to illegal immigrants.