Why Immigration Reform Now Isn't Such a Bad Idea

The New York Times is reporting that the White House intends to jump-start a new debate on immigration reform this year, a move in line with promises made by the president during the campaign season. Not surprisingly, there is some trepidation among Democrats as to whether an issue as thorny as immigration might distract from this year's debate on health care, energy and education.

There are, to be sure, some serious risks in addressing immigration reform during an economic crisis. If the White House fails to persuade the public that immigration reform would have a positive impact on the economy, the president faces presenting Republicans with their first winning issue of 2009. The battle cry from the right will undoubtedly be that Democrats are bringing millions of new workers into an economy short on jobs.

Still, now might be the perfect time to debate the issue.

Perhaps the single most important voting bloc in the country is Hispanic voters, who represent the fastest growing minority population in the country. Even Karl Rove recognized how critical this group would be to building a stable, winning coalition, and he pushed for the GOP to target Hispanic voters. But, as with most smart political strategies suggested to the GOP in the last few years, no one who mattered paid any attention.

Instead, Republicans let their nativism run wild, making vicious anti-immigrant proclamations a center piece of their primary campaign. In doing so, they caused what might end up being the most significant realignment in American politics since the south abandoned Lyndon Johnson's Democratic Party. In 2004, John Kerry won the national Hispanic vote, 53-44. In 2008, Obama took it 67-31. In a state like New Mexico, that meant a Democrat winning by 15 points instead of losing by one. It also meant sizable electoral swings in other southwest states, including Colorado and Nevada, and played a significant role in Obama's victory in Florida.

Hispanic voters are the key to Obama's re-election. They are the key to his successor's election. What better time to solidify their support?

The political climate is ripe for it. Obama has admitted that, yes, immigration reform can be a minefield, but what better time to drag Republicans over a few mines? The GOP appears committed to their strategy of opposing the president as unanimously as possible; when they oppose immigration reform, when they once again begin their paranoid berating of immigrants, when they once again feed the panicked xenophobia of their ever diminishing base, they might well succeed in making Hispanics a reliable Democratic voting bloc for a generation.

Obama won't even have to sign immigration reform into law to succeed. He'll simply have to sound reasonable, reach out to the Hispanic community, and let the Republican Party do the rest.

Comments

[jennyjen]

I am in the construction industry. The day I knew that Obama would be our next president was the day our 55 yr old mexican laborer told me he was voting for him and that family and friends he spoke to stated the same.

Once again the Republicans missed that turning tide. If they keep this up their demographic will continue to shrink. They have become the party of intolerance and ignorance. Nice going there.

[dontvote4him]

Tell me now. When was the time a mex from south of the boder would vote republican.

[Mezcalero]

Alberto Gonzales

[jennyjen]

I was referring to the fear that the hispanic community would be unwilling to vote for a black man. And it is well known that many minority groups vote against their own self interests in elections. Didn't Bush get 30% of the Hispanic vote?

[LeftWingX10]

Why Not? what's another pot boiling when the Chef can't even find the Kitchen; out walking on water?

[ephoenix5]

Hum... good point there, Dylan.

I support the President 100% on this. The system is broken and needs fixing -- can't wait for the "right" time. The border needs to be completely secured and I have faith he will address this issue.

I mean -- we need to stop this crap -- honestly. We have 12 million people here -- as a subclass of humans -- because we have failed to bring them out of the shadows. They continue to live here -- simply oppressed now. They are already here -- deporting them is unrealistic and probably would make the economy crater more as they are spendig and keeping businesses afloat. Hispanics have strong purchasing power regardless of their legal status.

I say keep the good ones -- deport the bad ones. Don't let anymore in unless through the proper channels. You know -- the way it is supposed to be. I believe that is what Obama will do. I have no reason to distrust the man's judgment. It has been excellent so far.

[Petesdaddy]

Ditto. Keep the good ones and get them out of the darkness. Send the bad ones back to the darkness whence they came. Protect the wide open borders and enforce existing laws.

[dontvote4him]

Border gun towers baby.

[Mezcalero]

I have illegal immigrant cousins who say deport the DUI's and the felons as well. They don;t deserve residency

[tony7914]

The system is broken only in that the laws have not been enforced by past administrations on both sides of the aisle. They choose to look the other way for political gain and cheap labor.
Enforce the laws, remove the incentive for them to stay here illegally and they will go home on their own then they can apply to come here just like every other respectable immigrant has done throughout our history.

[Mezcalero]

Judging from your name, you live in Phoenix, Az. You mean there's rational people on this issue in Arizona? You should speak up more.

[apoyo]

In all my years I have never heard so many complaints and whining about a president doing too much.
This president was left with a myriad of problems, so heavy that only Atlas could withstand the weight.
Yet those on the right continue with their whining about his addressing these very problems.

Were he not addressing everything they would complain that he couldn't do his job and therefore shouldn't be president.

But, in reality, their biggest fear is that he will successfully resolve these problems leaving them with nothing to complain about and showing how truly incompetent Republicans are. They are paralyzed with dread that he will prove that government does indeed work for the people.

[masher]

But the bank bailout is now Obama's issue. He continued the Bush programs..­.actually Obama expanded it. Its now reaching $4 trillion in unaccountable give-aways to failed banks.

On immigration, it appears that Obama is also following Bush. Obama has only been meeting with CEOs. Obama is keeping H-1B and other anti-worker programs. Obama has talked about expanding them! And now his immigration policy appears to be the same as Reagans and Bushs!

So where is the change?

[apoyo]

Even Republicans are right on some things.

Like he said what matters is good ideas not who thought them up.

That said, no more money to the banks.

[scpato]

If identity politics and strengthening voting blocs are the best reasons for granting amnesty to roughly 12 million illegal immigrants, it is a bad idea. Good reasons would be these: will it improve the economy of the country and improve wages? Will it stop a further wave of illegal immigrants?

The argument for blanket amnesty is weak. Holding out the promise of voting blocks, and labeling as racist those who oppose a blanket amnesty, does not strengthen the argument.

[dagdavid]

Again, you are spouting neo-con talking points that bear no resemblance to the facts. It is not blanket amnesty. In fact, if anything it actually makes it harder for those already here for 11 years or more to actually become citizens. And since when is "Amnesty" a dirty word?

[scpato]

Excuse me, but this column by Dylan Loewe is blatant in its call for a voting bloc and ties immigration reform in the form of a blanket amnesty with the strengthening of that voting bloc. Simply because there are certain requirements doesn't mean it isn't a blanket amnesty for illegal immigrants.
Is the columnist calling for a highly selective amnesty?

[Petesdaddy]

The Repugnicans don't care if what they say is factual or not. If they can make their lies sound like truth, they are happy.

[tony7914]

Since it only applies to illegal aliens.
Tell me something would you be in favor of giving amnesty to the bankers who caused the recession? Would you be in favor of giving politicians amnesty when they break the law? I doubt it.
Illegal aliens do not deserve amnesty because they broke the law to come here and are breaking the laws by using a system they are not entitled to use.
What is it with you people? You demand a president follow the letter of the law but choose to look the other way when someone else breaks it, I hate hypocrisy.

[masher]

So far the pattern with Obama has been clear. Do whatever the CEOs want. From bank bailouts to keeping H-1B programs, and now to immigration. Obama is speaking very carefully about these things but the end results in each care are policies that heavily favor Wall Street and dis-favor working people.

So if Obama is talking about immigration then get ready to get screwed. But he still gives great speeches! But yeah, we are screwed.

[ringo3khan]

"Total Amnesty NOW" should be the only answer for loyal Democrats. Now is the time to bring these 12 Million people into the fold as they are the key to creating a true One Party State! Failure isn't an option where this is concerned and with the votes an amesty will bring The Party, it should be only 1, possibly 2 election cycles before the Repubs are finally done for, once and for all.

[PATina]

Do you really want a One Party State??? What would be the point of holding elections if the Democrats simply "nominated" who they wanted to hold office... who would they run against???

I don't think you thought this through

[jhNY]

It's called irony. Look it up.

[Petesdaddy]

Having just one party won't work. That sounds too much like fascism. We have a couple parties that can replace the GOP. Independent sounds okay to me.

[Trymore MacVivo]

When bush was in office, some of you said immigration now was a bad idea. When is the right time????

[jweider]

When we have 0% unemployment and wages increase to where they should be.

[Ohioliberal]

As a strong Obama supporter and life long democrat, this is where he and I part company unfortunately, Last I heard, the borders are not 100% secure so why now?

[Mezcalero]

"Why now?"

Because the guy from the Phillipines who waits 20 years for a green card needs justice.
Because the babies separated from their mothers in raids need justice.
Because the people lying dead in the Arizona desert sun (over 2000 of them in the last DECADE) need justice.
Because the migrant worker who has been raped by her boss in the fields, but can;t go to the cops out of fear of deportation, needs justice.

Because frankly, this would force us as Americans to look at ourselves and our own problems instead of having the ability of scapegoating the most vulnerable members of our society.

THAT"S WHY

[dagdavid]

Right on. But don't forget another reason why we should do this now: Because people are not paying attention to immigration issues. Most Americans have moved beyond immigration and are only focused on economy, healthcare, and energy.

[jeffrey678]

Remember John Demjanjuk ? They have been trying to deport a world war 2 Nazi since 1977. We have to be careful of mass amnesties. Will it be easier to deport criminals or will we have to accept all the criminals of the world and be stuck with them forever? Who pays for that ?

[GayGrandpa]

See the bigger picture my friend; 'can't see the forest for the trees.' A person can't see the forest (overall picture) because he/she concentrates too much on the details (trees).

[scottarino]

That's where the "devil" is.

[Lauren SoFlo]

I wish he would leave this one be for a while. This is the one issue where even some moderate Repbulicans and some sane people I know turn into irrational, scared, crazed bigots and fear-mongers. I think its going one step farther than the middle can handle right now.

[Mezcalero]

You can find them here among the postings :(

[epochme]

let me guess they do the jobs most Americans won't do , well most Americans don't hang with your crowd {The country club crowd} and most Americans will do any job that will feed there family {living wage} and no job in America or anywhere else in the world should pay less than a living wage , just basic human decency , since when did we become blind to the needs of our fellow man and blindly support the exploitation and suffering of any human being just because they are not in our field of vision {out of sight out of mind} free trade is the free exploitation of your fellow man , it is slave trade , another product of the ray gun revolution , well ketchup man "there you go again"

[evaesthetic]

So, you are willing to give up those low, low Wal-Mart/fast food prices in order to ensure everyone gets a living wage? How well do you tip your servers in restaurants, keeping in mind most waiters only make about $2 in salary, the rest they have to make up in tips?

The question is more complicated than "everyone should work for a living wage". While I agree in principle, in fact many, maybe most, goods and services in this country would be a lot more expensive without the "sub-living wage" set toililng away picking our Taco Bell tomatoes for pennies on the dollar. And immigration reform should DEFINITELY include some language about what ultimate limit of salary would be for these new workers, and what defines a "living wage".

[jhNY]

A living wage is enough money earned so that the earner can keep alive on it.

[jeffrey678]

How will this benefit the country? Will wages rise? Will it only be 12 million? Will there be a trigger if conditions become worse (remember trade deals)? What will be the goals ? What happened to health care ?

[epochme]

I am 100 percent for LEGAL immigration , I am 100 percent against Illegal immigration , and I always vote , so if you want to lose this centrist's support keep it up dems and I will hold my nose {as I do every election} and I will vote for change again ... yep that's right ... republican across the board ... as in throw the bums out

[dagdavid]

Who cares. You one issue voters simply cut off your noses despite your faces.

[evaesthetic]

So, explain the difference between "legal" immigration and "illegal" immigration, please. The classic example of "illegal" immigration is the South American who crosses a border at midnight, but these are NOT the most numerous of "illegal" aliens in this country. Most of them legitimately had status in this country, but let it expire for any number of reasons.

Part of the reason this happens is that there has not been major reform of the immigration system in quite some time, and some of the way it is set up is pretty unreasonable. For instance, there are only x number of visas per year, per COUNTRY/area (like Europe, India, Philippines etc). That means, whatever the skillset of these immigrants may be, or how needed they are, only a certain number of them can come in a given year. So countries like Ireland or whatever rarely use up their quota (those numbers are just lost forever if they are not used...ins­tead of being reassigned to some other country's use), while India and the Philippines have waiting lists years long.

Perhaps if we got rid of the country of origin requirements and went over to more of a needs-based system, the system would work better and we would have a higher proportion of our working immigrants here legally.

[PATina]

Exactly. That's the part of immigration that needs to be reformed first.

[Ibackobama]

Not only that, they need to review the cost of filing. It is way too expensive and families end up becoming illegal due to finances.

[randyjet]

Any plan to legalize illegals will have to rely on their WORD that they are who they say they are. We will have to take their WORD that they have no criminal record, that they came here when they said they did. There is NO possible way that the government can check the documents and stories of 12 million illegals. They have shown NO regards for truth, the laws, or our democracy, so what make anybody think that they will tell the truth now?

The worst part will be that they will get amnesty for ALL CRIMES that they have committed in keeping themselves here illegally. That means that they will be free to commit ID theft, fraud, forgery, SS fraud, perjury, and a host of other crimes. So even if they are caught using forged documents to register, they will NOT be able to be punished for that. This is so stupid as to be surreal.

At least one provision needs to be that all males under 25 PROVE that they have registered with Selective Service as they are REQUIRED to do under the law, before they may continue to live here.

[dagdavid]

Hey, randyjet, do your research before going off on some ignorant rant totally lacking in facts. Yes, it is against the law to enter the country illegally, but it is NOT against the law to live here "illegally".

Why the distinction? Because, as most anti-immigrant zealots fail to notice, the MAJORITY, yes MAJORITY, of immigrants come here LEGALLY. Let me say it again: A majority of immigrants enter the United States LEGALLY. The problem is that, while we need their labor, we make it nearly impossible for them to become citizens. What used to take a couple of years can now take 14 or more and countless immigrants who DESPERATELY WANT TO BECOME CITIZENS AND WHO PAY TAXES, are ripped-off by predators who promise to help them.

Get your facts straight and then we can have a rational, intelligent discussion.

[scottarino]

yes, lets have rational intelligent discussions when ALL CAPS are used over and over again.

[randyjet]

The last estimates I saw had the ratio at about 60% illegals, 40% visa overstayers. That is NOT a majority. As I have said on other posts, the ONLY people who should even be CONSIDERED for staying here are those who committed NO crime in coming here. The rest have to GO.

Those who have entered legally, and have committed other CRIMES in being able to stay here, should also GO. If they have committed SS fraud, forgery, fraud, perjury, ID theft, etc,, they need to be GONE too. The people who may get amnesty for being here by overstaying their visas should also have to give a full fingerprint, photo, and DNA sample as well. That will not only help catch any crooks, but will discourage crooks from even applying.