Dems Poised to Screw Up Immigration Reform

Ianus · 09:56 PM

This article is by Ruben Navarrette Jr. & basically dictates that pro-immigrant forces could be responsible for some of the possible screw-ups concerning the new immigration bill should it fail again.

Quote:

It’s no wonder that Congress has proven itself incapable of reforming the nation’s immigration system.

Liberals and conservatives have different ideas of what “reform” means. Liberals think it means legalizing the undocumented, while conservatives think it means securing the borders. Liberals are reluctant to confront labor unions that oppose guest workers, just as conservatives never miss a chance to weaken employer sanctions opposed by big business. But another problem is that, once in power, both sides have the same tendency to overreach.

When Republicans controlled Congress and the White House, they abandoned common sense, pandered to the extremes, devised simplistic solutions, and attacked the problem with outrageous proposals that never stood a chance of being accepted by the other side.

Now that Democrats control Congress and the White House, they’re ready to abandon common sense, pander to the extremes, devise simplistic solutions, and attack the problem with outrageous proposals that don’t stand a chance of being accepted by the other side.

Republicans started out with strong arguments that enjoyed a substantial amount of popular support — that the United States couldn’t have porous borders after the Sept. 11th attacks, that existing laws should be enforced, that those in the country illegally have earned a one-way trip out of the country, etc. Then some of them lost focus and veered off into more controversial territory by declaring English the national language, threatening to deny citizenship to the U.S.-born children of illegal immigrants, and targeting churches and social service agencies that aid illegal immigrants. These ideas were more divisive and unrealistic. And so they ultimately helped rally the opposition and kill reform.

Now liberal immigrant activists are poised to make the same mistake — even as they try to advance a very different agenda. Given President-elect Obama’s support for comprehensive immigration reform, they might have a shot at securing earned legalization for millions of illegal immigrants provided the immigrants pay fines, learn English, undergo criminal background checks, and meet other conditions. But they don’t want to stop there. Instead, take a look at what some of these activists have on their wish list: an end to all residential and workplace immigration raids, the terminating of any collaborative agreements between federal immigration authorities and local law enforcement agencies, an end to the speedy deportation of illegal immigrants, and an end to the practice of sending “no match” letters to employers when their employees’ Social Security numbers don’t match the names the government has on file.

Those are some of the loony demands recently made on the members of President-elect Obama’s “immigration transition team” — an informal group of advisers on immigration issues — by a group made up of more than a dozen immigrant leaders from around the country. The meeting was set up by a leftwing organization calling itself the National Alliance of Latin American and Caribbean Communities (NALACC).

The way these activists see it, the estimated 12 million illegal immigrants in this country are an “invaluable asset for the wellbeing and progress of the United States of America.” But they’re also helpless victims of powerful forces beyond their control and a bureaucratic system that can’t keep up with demand. The fact that these illegal immigrants are even here represents, in the words of this group, a “failure by our federal policy makers to keep our immigration law in sync with today’s global labor market dynamics and with the nation’s changing demographics.” And the only solutions that will work are ones that “address the root causes of immigration and alleviate poverty in migrant-sending countries by promoting sustainable economic development.”

No word on how Obama’s representatives responded to the demands. But one would hope they pushed back. These proposals are outrageous and would amount to maintaining an open border. Advocating for a path to legalization for illegal immigrants who are already here is one thing; undermining the right of a sovereign country surrendering the right to protect its border is another.

The left should concentrate on what it can achieve in immigration reform and be careful not to repeat the mistakes made by those on the right. Otherwise, they might find themselves with the same thing their opponents wound up with after all their bluster: nothing.

Haven't we been through this before,& had to wait another 2 years for some sort of reform to even be considered by a new Congress,the reality is that the activists should be very careful how they do things this time around,otherwise we might have more of the same,not change.

sunny_thedreamer · 01-18-2009, 09:53 PM

This article perfectly explain the reason we don't have immigration reform. Both side has a issue and doesn't want to compromise. Its obvious most republican sees immigrant as their enemy but sometime I think democrat too doesn't want to reform. They want to keep the problem alive as long as it can because it doesn't hurt them. And, all the big activist group doesn't help. They want whole things and nothing short. Immigration reform shouldn't be too hard. It is so much easier to solve then helthcare and SS reform and lowering national debt. All is needed is leadership and common sense approach and compromise.

quaker · 01-18-2009, 10:38 PM

hmmm, maybe it's just me but those demands aren't really all that far off.

Ianus · 01-18-2009, 11:22 PM

^Yeah & as Sunny_thedreamer mentioned,I'm getting the strongest impression that the Democrats are basically using this for political gain by just trying so that S.9 can fail again & try again in 2011 or more likely 2012 in a new Congress so as to help get the latino vote geared up for 2012 or Obama's re-election.It is just an impression,since I haven't heard any statement whatsoever from the President-elect concerning immigration or a plan to get immigration through the Congress since he won all the way back in November,economy problems or not.

CIR_DREAM2009 · 01-18-2009, 11:30 PM

I agree with quaker. Those demands are not looney. Mr. Navarette just wants to burnish his "reasonableness" creds and want to define the "middle ground" in the immigration debate.

What he fails to mention is that immigration activists are smart and practical. Just because CIR can be passed doesn't mean activists won't stop pushing for other types of change. For instance, stopping work place raids can be accomplished in the executive branch with an order by the President.

CIR_DREAM2009 · 01-18-2009, 11:48 PM

And woah! Since when is an "end to the speedy deportation of illegal immigrants" a looney demand? Accused immigrants should not be put on the fast track to deportation and should have full use of the court process. Innocent until proven guilty is a bedrock principle of the American justice system.

He has a point with the "no match" letter demand, but knowing Navarette, he's probably making that part up.

erny443 · 01-25-2009, 12:42 AM

I don't know how I feel about the article. Obviously those who are passionate about this issue will tend to ask for change that may be viewed as "drastic" or "loony", but it's definitely not drastic when we do not have immigration reform.

As someone who plans on working with the Latino population in therapy- counseling psychologist- I can only imagine the types of stressors undocumented immigrants experience. Most of the daily stressors such as living in poverty, living in fear of being deported if a raid where to happen at work, and trying to live in a world where discrimination and racism are present can only make life extremely difficult. All these stressors affect ones well-being and mental health in many different ways and I feel only but sympathy for people in these situations and wish to help them in some way.

With that said, I feel that this is simply more than immigration reform, it's about basic human rights, no matter what your status is-legal or illegal. It's not in our best interest to deny anyone basic human rights and we can not simply blame individuals for what they have done- if they are willing to come here illegally I'm pretty sure they know the consequences. However, the fact that they are willing to do so with the consequences in mind only makes it easier to see that the necessity is so strong that immigrants sacrifice everything and anything for a better life. If we help them get on the right track what do we lose? Nothing. As someone who was once illegal, I can only think what would have become of me If I could not afford to go to college and advance my education. My ultimate goal is give back to the community and be an advocate for social justice and change and this would not have been possible if my dream would have ended prematurely only because one word "illegal" stopped me in the process.

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Dems Poised to Screw Up Immigration Reform