Immigration Reform is a Promise Waiting to be Filled

With each stroke of his pen, every transatlantic call made and all the bipartisan meetings he's resided over so far, President Obama is on track to fulfill his campaign promises.

Only a week into the job and Obama has already reversed policies on carbon dioxide emissions, signed orders to close the Guantanamo Bay detention camp, extended an invitation to dialogue with the Muslim world and started the discussion for the drawdown of American troops from Iraq.

Of course, that's only the beginning. Every day brings another new piece of action from the President and his administration, along with, hope from any one of several advocacy groups that their particular issue is next on the table. So, it's not unreasonable for those in the Latino community, who fully supported Obama's candidacy based on his immigration reform platform, wonder when their concerns will be put on the administration's to-do list.

Unfortunately, that answer may already have been delivered.

If Obama wanted a litmus test to see how "palatable" the immigration reform issue is now compared to during the campaign, he doesn't have to look any farther than the recent happenings in Congress.

Republicans in both the House of Representatives and the Senate have taken turns either opposing pending legislation because of references to immigrants contained in the bills or amending them to include action specifically impacting undocumented immigrants.

The first sign that the term "immigrants" was still politically nuclear was during the debate of the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). Among the many provisions to ensure that more eligible children receive health insurance, there is a section that allows legal immigrant children to be eligible to receive either Medicaid, the state-federal health insurance plan for the poor, or SCHIP without having to wait the now-required five years.

The House passed it. Yet, Republicans in the Senate are fighting the bill because of the legal immigrant section.

Another example of how immigration isn't far from the minds of Republican lawmakers is the economic stimulus bill. For all the complaining from House Republicans who thought some of the provisions in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 did nothing to save money and create jobs, it's odd that a Republican-sponsored amendment to the bill requiring anyone who receives stimulus funds to use the costly federal E-Verify program would be promoted by a group so concerned with saving money.

E-Verify, an internet-based program set up for employers to electronically check federal information proving a worker's legal eligibility to work, exacts a financial toll on businesses, especially small businesses.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, small businesses collectively employ half of the nation's private sector workforce. With the struggling economy, it doesn't make sense to impose added financial burdens with a system that's been proven to be unreliable and inefficient.

Some analysts are guessing that Obama, while he won't utter the words "immigration reform" in the same breath, might be more willing to tackle the issue one piece at a time. That would mean maybe supporting the DREAM Act one year or creating a guest worker program to fill seasonal agricultural jobs another time or issuing an order to halt worksite raids sometime later.

While any of the issues that comprise immigration reform are worthy to stand on their own merits for passage, a piecemeal approach is not the way to go. It will only prolong the divisiveness in the country over the issue and the suffering of the people impacted by current policy. Also, it would just encourage local and state governments to continue to draft their own versions of immigration reform.

From past examples, those measures are for the most part draconian and seriously unconstitutional.

What is needed is a comprehensive, one-time fix from Congress that is fair, compassionate, visionary and, yes, tough. It must also recognize the fact that 12 million people call this country home.

And when it finally crosses the desk of President Obama, it won't be just another bill signed into law -- it will be the fulfillment of a promise.

Comments

[scooperss]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090201/ap_on_bi_ge/bailout_foreign_workers

Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, talks to reporters in his Capitol Hill …
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SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Banks collecting billions of dollars in federal bailout money sought government permission to bring thousands of foreign workers to the U.S. for high-paying jobs, according to an Associated Press review of visa applications.

The dozen banks receiving the biggest rescue packages, totaling more than $150 billion, requested visas for more than 21,800 foreign workers over the past six years for positions that included senior vice presidents, corporate lawyers, junior investment analysts and human resources specialists. The average annual salary for those jobs was $90,721, nearly twice the median income for all American households.

[ThePeacemakers]

I suspect the Obama Admin will streamline the immigration process to unclog it for those who really want to be US citizens. Even with the system the way it is, most Americans find it confusing when they see immigrants who've been here 15, 20 years and stil haven't mangaged to get some sort of legal standing to work or become a citizen.

With the steady decline in wages in this country being central to the ecomomic decline, this is going to be a major determining factor of whether or not Americans think the new Economic Recovery Act is successful in their eyes.

In the construction industry (where infrastructure spending will be big) - this will be an especially hot point.

[Curandera]

The last amnesty was in 1986, so yeah if they missed it 23 years ago because they weren't born yet, then yeah they are out of luck. There are people every day dying on the border or paying money to people who will "find them a way" who "really want to be US citizens" but they can't because they can't (no amount of money, no amount of fluency in English or understanding of the US Constitution, no amount of US taxes paid or gainful employment) will allow them to file toward "a path toward citizenshi­p." For these people, there is no "line" to get into, it doesn't exist -- it is a myth created by those with no understanding of immigration laws.

For those who came before, the Italians, the Irish, the Germans and even the Mexicans from prior generations, they could work here illegally because there was no "computer" system to make sure they were here illegally. If they worked illegally and stay out of trouble, their kids became citizens. That's changed now and we are losing the new blood our country has always depended on. The youthful immigrants who will work hard for their kids to have a chance and who will pay into our failing social security system (and who don't get that money back to them).

There's more, but like I said, we have to wait until Obama can turn this Titanic about and get us to safer shores.

[Curandera]

As a staunch advocate of amnesty -- the money for applications if amnesty were allowed, would reduce the deficite by 30% right off the bat and create thousands of jobs and entrepreneurs as happened in the Reagan years -- I beg like minded advocates to wait.

The immigration backlash is horrible and illogical to start with, add record number of job losses and continuing drop in the stock market and worsening overall economy, any -- any immigration reform would be nothing more than a sacrificial lamb. I firmly believe amnesty would help the US as it has since the very founding of our country (illegal Irish, Italians, Polish, etc. etc. etc.) but Obama needs something to show first before he can even come near this ultimate challenge.

[rhubardpi]

That's funny.....­.is there any numerical limit to the number of folks you'd give amnesty to? Any time limit or is it limitless.­....like Christmas fruitcakes? Is the 30% off the deficit from tea leaves?

[Curandera]

There are 7 to 20 million undocumented aliens in the US. If they were allowed to file for amnesty, i.e. a path toward citizenship because the current immigration laws do not provide them a way to enter legally) and each paid about $2,000 to the INS, the US would receive about 14 to 40 billions dollars. Our current deficit it about 10 to 11 trillions so, you are correct and I completely overstated the reduction to the deficit. I admit my error.

But I do maintain that without infusions of immigrants, our country and our economy will suffer and contract even more. At the same time I argue, right now is not the time. I am an economic realist as well as political realist. There is no way an "Immigration Reform" bill has any chance of passing when our country is in the full and tyranical grip of Fear.

[orangepetal]

I believe any American resident or citizen with a spouse whose immigration status is having delays, complications or difficulties being processed, should be facilitated, prioritized and processed. Perhaps illegal immigrants who have businesses could also be checked to receive a business visa status. The rest is controversial, most Americans do not want amnesty. For American business and illegal workers to attempt to block legislation against preventing real efforts to control this issue, should work against both groups. Democrats may get Latino votes, but this is an issue that many Americans want to see efforts on, this will be watched very closely by many people. Worker programs for agricultural, domestic or the hotel industry should be legislated. Things like a maximum period of 2 to 3 years with an annual obligatory vacation and contract renewal. A health insurance program should be made obligatory to be paid by the employer or employee. Families should not be encouraged, children born to those on the worker programs will be required to return to their home countries with their children at the end of the annual contract, and their contract should not be renewed. The children may receive some certain immigration benefits or student benefits as adults if they later wish to apply. These are just some general ideas, that could be used to try to find some common ground. I’m sure many will find them offensive and I apologize. I’m aware it may not be nice but amnesty is a controversial issue for many.

[scooperss]

"What is needed is a comprehensive, one-time fix from Congress that is fair, compassionate, visionary and, yes, tough."

Been there , done that, wasn't enforced, no need to try again, will fail again.

[nee]

All ILLEGAL ALIENS no matter where they come from need to go back home. ILLEGAL ALIENS are draining our systems. We need to use the BILLIONS of dollars we spend on ILLEGAL ALIENS on our own CITIZENS and LEGAL IMMIGRANTS.

[aloha43]

Exactly!

Let's not forget that a great share of the US money is being saved by them and is being sent OUT of OUR country. It's no wonder we are in the state that we are in. That is a LOT of money that should stay in our system.

AND, let's not forget that a good share of the illegals are smuggling drugs into the US.

[randyjet]

Since I have lived on the border for a number of years in McAllen, all my neighbors are Latinos. They do NOT have the same view as you. They have their wages at rock bottom because E-verfiy is not required and they compete with Mexican nationals who commute to work every day from across the border. All the employers LOVE this, and of course, they are VERY active politically and can give lots of money.
E-verify is 99.6% accurate, costs nothing since it takes all of a couple of minutes to use, and is very effective. Obama promised to crack down on employers who use illegals by the way. If you think that the citizens want the same thing as you, your folks had a big demonstration planned in Laredo against the border fence. They had ads all over for it. It took place on a weekend, and got all of 50 people from BOTH sides of the border. THAT is not overwhelming support.

How about supporting American Latinos, blacks, poor whites who are the ones hurt the most by illegals?

[RachelMc]

i know... there is a difference right? ppl always throw immigrants out there as a synonym for illegal immigrants or illegal aliens and its not the same. no one is against immigratio­n... btw those are our engineers and scientist and doctors and professors and are good ones too might i add....

[CalexenderJ]

Obama has been in office for exactly 10 days and it's not like he doesn't have a lot on his plate. He's trying to simultaneously solve the worst economic crisis in generations and improve America's interest around the world. He's been busy. This morning Krugman wrote an article whining that Obama hasn't mentioned health care reform, don't start with the immigration reform. Can we let the guy get through a month (or six) in office, before we start bringing up unfulfilled promises.

[aloha43]

And let's not forget that he is fighting the Republicans EVERY step of the way.

It's hard to believe that they have caused so much hassle for Obama, in only 10 days.

[Geranium]

Kudos to the Republicans. That is what this country is based on. Principaled debate, not cow towing to an idealogue.

[1will]

Why not call these "Immigrants" what they are....ill­egal aliens.

[RachelMc]

i know... there is a difference right? ppl always throw immigrants out there as a synonym for illegal immigrants or illegal aliens and its not the same. no one is against immigratio­n... he// those are our engineers and scientist and doctors and professors and are good ones too might i add....

[RachelMc]

i know... there is a difference right? ppl always throw immigrants out there as a synonym for illegal immigrants or illegal aliens and its not the same. no one is against immigratio­n... he// those are our engineers and scientist and doctors and professors and are good ones too might i add....

[newmexicogold]

The definifition needs to be solidified in the marketplace between emmigrant and immigrant. I lived in El Paso for 10 years and few of my neighbors spoke English, had legal status, paid for auto insurance. They did buy property, pay property taxes, send their children to US schools.

An emmigrant is one who travels to another country to work, with no intention of becoming a citizen, or forsaking their country/culture of orign to join as a new citizen.

An immigrant is leaving their country of origin, with little or no hope of returning, seeking a new life, and desires to embrace a new culture, while not forgetting their roots.

We are a nation of immigrants. We also have a large population of undocumented emmigrants, who do contribute to the GDP, but not the tax base. At the local level, it's the tax base that educates children, paves roads, pays for police and fire services, cleans the parks, elects leaders. I try not to refer to goups in terms of us and them, but it's difficult in this debate.