Gov. Paterson has picked Congresswoman Kirsten Gillibrand to replace Hillary Clinton in the U.S Senate. As described by the New York Times earlier today, Gillibrand is "known for bold political moves and centrist policy positions." Gillibrand--endorsed by the National Riffle Association and the recipient of a high grade from an anti-immigrant group called NumbersUSA--is not an encouraging pick for the immigrant community.
According to her website, Gillibrand opposes a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants and co-sponsored the Secure America through Verification and Enforcement (SAVE) Act in 2007. The SAVE Act aimed at reducing the inflow of undocumented immigrants by increasing border security and internal enforcement and complete the fence along the border.
The SAVE Act failed to pass DMI's two-part test for immigration policy that benefits the middle-class. Part one requires that immigration policy should not undermine the critical contribution that immigrants make to our economy as workers, entrepreneurs, taxpayers and consumers. Part two holds that immigration policy must strengthen the rights of immigrants in the workplace. Most Democrats and immigration advocates opposed the bill.
Gillibrand needs to change her position on immigration now that she is representing not only the 20th district of upstate New York, but the whole state, including New York City, where immigrants are the backbone of the economy. We shouldn't let the debate over TARP and other issues distract attention from this glaring deficiency in her legislative record.
I mention helping their country improve their way of life on the third page of this thread. I suggest that there are problems in Mexico and they need to be addressed so the people get the help they need and can stay where they really want to be--in their own country. NAFTA helped create this problem and needs to be reworked, among other problems.
I agree we cannot just round up and deport people. I have stated that we should, IMO, help the people here, while tightening the border so there is no more illegal immigration.
This Glossary:
Amnesty: these restrictionists call Anything short of Mass Deportation Amnesty.
Illeeeegal Alien: any of the 12M, including 4M who are Visa Overstays who are working to update their documents in Immigration courts.
Anchor Baby: Any citizen baby whose parents were immigrants, primarily Latinos.
Mexifornia/Miami is a 3rd World Country: The restrictionists view of any Latino neighborhood.
287(g) policies: Immigration policies used by the likes of Sheriff Arpaio to Racial Profile Latino neighborhoods, even to the point of having his masked goons terrorize a Confirmation Mass with children crying in fear.
I suggest Gillibrand study the issues and understand we truly need Comprehensive Immigration Reform (CIR) in our country. Without resolution to these issues, we will continue to have the mess we have today.
http://www.youtube.com/programmersguild
The "reason" for this is the idea that illegals will not come forward if they fear that they may be prosecuted for their many crimes that they have committed. This shows just how impossible any granting of permanent status to illegals is in reality. Such legislation grants SUPERIOR rights to illegals, while WE are subject to ALL those same laws, and WILL be prosecuted for violating them. Such a law will also violate OUR Constitutional RIGHTS by violating the equal protection clause by making US second class citizens. THAT is why we have to get out the word to more people about this danger.
With unemployment expected to hit double digits, we NEED all the out of work people we can get in this country. How else can be go completely bankrupt if we don't try to keep everyone in the world in a job but the AMERICAN people?! *sarcasm*
reid has said there WILL BE IMMIGRATION REFORM this year. He doesn't care that the AMERICAN people gave him a RESOUNDING NO the last time he tried it, he's determined to GET MORE VOTERS FOR HIMSELF.
REPRESENTATION for the American people? Forget it, we only matter when it's time to vote and pay taxes.
I'm disgusted with your thinking that just because YOU have a cushy job, everyone does. Get out from behind your desk and take a look around. Skyrocketing unemployment, mortgage failures and you want more people.
I recently read that Iceland has bankruptcies in 40% of it's population and 70% of it's businesses. I have a feeling that if tens of millions of blonde haired blue eyed illegals were flooding into our country you would rethink your opinion on "Undocumented Immigrants."
They confirm my conclusion that the immigration debate is not about immigration, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/henryk-a-kowalczyk/the-immigration-debate-is_b_148289.html
It reflects disagreements among Americans in their views of fundamental concepts of our political system. It is not about immigrants, legal or illegal. It is about America defining itself at the beginning of the 21st century. What does it mean to be an American here and now? What do the fundamental concepts of individuals' freedom that led to the original rise of America mean to us today, and do we care?
Since I have actually lived on the border with Mexico for many years, I DO know the problems. One of the worst, is the number of guns being smuggled across the border. In Ciuda Juarez last year, they had over 4,000 murders because of the drug trade. THAT is but ONE reason we need a physical fence barrier to stop this kind of smuggling, along with stopping the drugs and illegals coming north. The situation has gotten so bad that the Mexican military has been called in. They have to set up chechpoints all over the border areas to try and stop the guns flowing in. Having a physical barrier will not completely stop all traffic, but it WILL slow it down so that the BP has a chance to get them.
From your linked article
"Voices for the meticulous enforcement of the current immigration laws ask to repeat what has failed so far, but to do so with greater determination".
And why has it failed? People like you who think anyone should be able to come to this country, people who think they have the right to come here illegally , our own government for refusing to do it's job when it comes to enforcement and finally the money grubbers who don't care if Americans don't have jobs as long as they can make that extra dollar an hour.
You have a lot to learn on this issue and it all has to do with the way Illegal slave Immigrants are
used and abused. I would assume that MS. Gillibrand would be a good pick for the legal immigrant community if not why not.
It is extremely dishonest to mix LEGAL immigrants with ILLEGAL ones. They are TOTALLY different. One respects the laws and people of this country, the others spit on both by their actions. We need MORE immigration enforcement since I have LIVED on the border for a number of years. The employers LOVE the current state of non-enforcement since they hire illegals who cross the border every day, and drive down the wages of AMERICANS on this side. That is why we need E-Verify to RAISE the wages of my neighbors, who by the way are ALL Hispanic.
"No Democrat in New York's large congressional delegation has shown more promise in truly bringing relief to the unemployed, especially in her approach to immigration issues.
Carol