There's no doubt immigration will be one of the critical political and social issues of 2012. While substantial progress has been made on one significant concern -- improving border security -- overall the system remains broken. Whether America is successful in reforming it depends on the tone of the discussion in this country, guidance from the courts, and the prevailing political winds.
So far, when it comes to immigration and efforts by some states to impose a solution absent federal reform, we have seen a combination of initiatives -- unevenly applied at best, constitutionally untenable at worst -- and a national discussion that has wavered between constructive debate and hateful, ugly stereotypes.
In short, the immigration reform debate has engendered a mix of The Good, The Bad and The Ugly.
Let's start with The Good: Both former President George W. Bush and President Obama have supported proposals for comprehensive immigration reform. In a 2006 speech, President Bush stated that "an immigration reform bill needs to be comprehensive, because all of the elements of this problem must be addressed together -- or none of them will be solved at all." Five years later, in his May 2011 address in El Paso, Texas, President Obama echoed those remarks, asserting that "what we really need to do is keep up the fight to pass genuine, comprehensive reform."
This past August, in the absence of a legislative progress toward immigration reform, President Obama on his own took some small positive steps, using his executive authority to ease some of the hardships the broken immigration system is causing, especially for youth and families. For example, the federal Department of Homeland Security now exercises prosecutorial discretion to target the agency's enforcement resources on those who pose the greatest risk to the public. However, the administration's actions do not obviate the need for comprehensive legislative reform.
There's also good news in the broad public support for meaningful reform. Recent studies indicate significant public support for reforms including streamlining the process for employers to hire foreign-born workers to perform seasonal work.
In an October 2011 national poll conducted by the Anti-Defamation League, we found that a strong majority of Americans -- 60 percent -- were in favor of a six-year path to citizenship if the children had arrived here before they were 15 years old and had lived here at least five years. And 65 percent of Americans said that children of illegal immigrants who were born in the U.S. should be considered American citizens.
Sixty percent of those polled indicated they would oppose any change in the 14th Amendment that would remove automatic citizenship for anyone born in the U.S.
Now comes The Bad: Many states across the nation -- including Arizona, Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina -- have moved to pass anti-immigrant laws that are on shaky ground constitutionally and of questionable efficacy. Some courts are already reacting to these anti-immigrant laws by striking down the most controversial of the provisions.
The Supreme Court this term will rule on the legality of Arizona's SB 1070, the state law which seeks to push undocumented immigrants out by way of punitive measures. Passed in 2010, the Arizona law was the first in a wave of harsh state immigration laws that are having detrimental consequences on industry, citizens, and documented and undocumented immigrants alike.
In many of the states that have passed SB 1070 "copycat laws," local police are authorized to check an individual's immigration status during a traffic or any other lawful stop; during an investigation of petty offenses like open container laws, underage drinking, jay-walking, or smoking in an elevator; even during domestic violence incidents where often both the perpetrator and victim are initially arrested. For example, should an undocumented victim of domestic violence call 9-1-1 to report an incident in one of these states, that victim could be deported as a result of the police investigation.
And, of course, there's The Ugly: The stereotypes, hateful rhetoric, and dehumanizing language about Hispanics, Latinos or immigrants we've seen surrounding the issue, especially during the past year, threaten to derail meaningful reform and taint the national discussion.
Regardless of how Americans feel about immigration, appeals to prejudice and bigotry simply have no place in a civil debate.
The climate of bias and hostility toward immigrants that pervades the immigration debate hurts our country and stands in the way of the kind of reform Americans desperately seek to the broken immigration system.
Our own experience in the Jewish community has taught us that when a society begins to distinguish a group as less deserving of rights, then discrimination, exploitation, and worse can follow. The current system fails more than just immigrants seeking opportunity and fair treatment. It fails all of us by refusing to embrace a future that welcomes diversity and equal access to the American dream.
The consequences of a venomous, anti-immigrant climate impact us all. In Alabama, home to one of the nation's most restrictive immigration laws, headlines report that in the days after the law took effect, as many as 15 percent of Hispanic students were too afraid to attend school. In other states we hear stories about families broken apart, unpicked crops rotting on the vine, the embarrassing arrest of an international car company employee, and damage to tourism.
Without a doubt these stories highlight the imprudence of harsh state immigration laws. These provisions drive a wedge between law enforcement and immigrant communities. In particular, they deter Hispanics or Latinos -- whether documented or undocumented -- from reporting or serving as witnesses to criminal activities, including hate crimes.
The most severe impact falls upon Hispanics or Latinos who are undocumented or have undocumented family members, friends or co-workers. For such persons, these laws can create credible fear that any contact with law enforcement will result in arrest or deportation.
As we begin a new year, one that promises to bring key decisions from the courts, let us remember that there is a direct connection between the tenor of this political debate and the consequences to our communities. It is incumbent upon all of us to press for fair and workable federal immigration reform and to demand civil dialogue and respect in the process.
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Alabama Immigration Law's Critics Question Target - NYTimes.com
oil gas and coal, Two atomic bombs were dropped on japan about 65 years ago during world war
two. Since then japan has recoverd from the war and developed its economy.
It has many large auto manufacturers including Toyota which is the largest auto manufacturer
in the world. Japan represents less than 2 % of the world population but has 10 of the
worlds 50 largest pharmceutical companies. The japanese have the fastest super
computer in the world. Japan is not an economic failure like mexico.
South Korea has about one twentieth of the land of mexico. It is about the size of indiana. It was at war 60 years ago.
Hundreds of thousands of south koreans died in the war, Since the war south korea
has rebuilt its economy and is a wealthy country. South Korea has one of the largest
technology companies in the world, Samsung. It is the second largest chip
manfacturer in the world. Samsung is also one of the largest smartphone and tablet computer makers. Intel is the largest silicon chip maker in the world #1. Hyundai is a south korean auto maker.
It has only been in business 35 years and already is building a car that
competes with the most expensive Lexus.
These two countries developed their ecomomies so whats wrong with mexico.
The mexican govt and people have failed to develop their economy.
did not graduate on time. The superintendant couldn't believe the numbers and double checked them.
The numbers were correct. Is it xenophobic if americans see something wrong with this?
This Prez. just has to go! Next Election! Unmask him!
George Bush, on the day after 9/11, should have shut down our borders like a fist, esp. the southern border. Instead he did the exact opposite-threw the door wide open and yelled with his fake cowpoke twang - come on in, yall!! Come on in! No one would have raised their voice if the day after 9/11 our southern border was sealed or at least every attempt made to seal it shut.
The tidal wave of illegals absolutely ran over the entire nation - small towns, big cities - all across the country. This is not the work of the current president, bud. If people like you would get your facts straight before speaking AND voting, this country wouldn't be in the dire straits it is.
By the way, I'm a registered demcrat completely against illegal immigration. And a very strong supporter of this president, who sure stepped in it once dubya left town.
p.s. soros?? Heard of the Koch brothers, ms. dwyer?
We know who they are, put a Bounty on "Illegal Employers"!
...problem solved!
Alex De Tocqueville
Fact: For every Good, hard working Immigrant Deported since the January 2008 start of the E-verify Law, the I.C.E. Deportation Program, and "The Worst Recession in U.S. History", America has lost over four times as many American jobs.
Tens of thousands of vacant Immigrant Homes cause any "Foreclosures"?
This Great Nation of Immigrants was Built on Principles of Good, and Brotherhood.
The merciful shall obtain mercy.
C.T.R?
W.W.J.D?
Sounds like you are saying those we do not invite to reside in our country have the right to stay anyway.
"The stereotypes, hateful rhetoric, and dehumanizing language about Hispanics, Latinos or immigrants we've seen surrounding the issue, especially during the past year, threaten to derail meaningful reform and taint the national discussion."
I don't think you want a national discussion with anyone who supports rule of law. It taints the discussion, right?
Jan Brewer
Arizona Governor Jan Brewer signator of SB1070, was recently exposed to have shuffled Social Security paperwork for her knifepoint Rapist Son Ron to get $75,000.00 for Herself as Ron served out his sentence in a State Facility, already being cared for at Tax Payers expense.
Lets disscuss "The rule of Law"?
Social Security Fraud Laws?
Of course not, only the Anti Immigrant Laws right?
If we Deported every one in America that committed a misdemeanor who would be left?
Citizen Children have the right to their Mothers, and Fathers.
"America is great because it is good, whwn it ceases to be good, it ceases to be great"
Alex De Tocqueville
Those who are merciful shall obtain mercy.
Somtimes Laws need to be Tempered with circumstances, and our Principles, and Values of Good.
To: Good, and Brotherhood.
(1) Put mandatory eVerify in place nationally. Greatly helps ensure only legal workers can work legally and provides a straightforward way to catch scofflaw employers who either don't use it or ignore the findings.
(2) Continue to secure the border.
(3) Make 287(g) and Secure Communities the law of the land so no matter how an illegal immigrant got into the country -- border hopping or overstaying a visa -- they will be deported if they cross paths with law enforcement anyplace.
(4) Modify or correctly interpret the 14th Amendment to eliminate the idiocy of conferring citizenship to children borne to tourists or illegally resident parents
(5) No amnesty and signal in a crystal clear fashion that amnesty will never be granted.
These can be done individually or in combination. Nothing has to be "Comprehensive".
That's pass anti illegal alien laws. My favorite for this year is towing any uninsured car. In California so many cars were being towed the illegal aliens cried and got the law changed. This law needs to be enacted nationwide.
17 Jan 2012
Lawmaker pushes bill to impound uninsured vehicles.
""A large percentage of illegal immigrants drive uninsured vehicles," said Kavanagh. "The experience in other cities that have this type of policy is that it is also a deterrent for illegal immigration because they begin losing their cars and leave the city."
http://ktar.com/6/1488427/Lawmaker-pushes-bill-to-impound-uninsured-vehicles
Cite the impact that Illegal Immigration has on unemployment and the reply is that you must be a xenophobe because you want to enforce our laws. Cite the impact of Illegal Immigration on wages and you are called a nativist who hates all immigrants. Cite the impact of Illegal Immigration on costs to our government and as taxpayers we get stuck with the bill and you are called a secret racist who hates Hispanic people. Name calling is a form of Verbal Battery committed by those who see nothing wrong with abusing their fellow Human Beings. Why does this author only condemn name calling by those who disagree with him?
If creating a caricature of a whole group of people and using that caricature as a reason to mistreat them is wrong, then it should be wrong for EVERY group to use those tactics.
We should let the free market determine the immigration levels. If we did that, our border would be secure. Also, ALL drugs should be legalized. That way, we could truly secure our border.
The REAL question should be “What immigration policy will benefit the US in the long term?” This is NOT a question about a policy that ONLY benefits the potential immigrant.
I am tired of liberals not making the distinction. They simply are not the same. In fact we have laws that favor legal immigrants, like business tax breaks. The day cannot come soon enough when we get a national database that makes it very hard to get a job without proof of citizenship.