A Country Without Borders

Illegal immigration has become one of our nation’s biggest and most controversial issues today. Obama’s immigration reform has been almost the same since 2007 comprised of three main parts, “enforcement, legal immigration, and the status of illegal immigration.” Illegal immigrants come to the U.S. simply for freedom and opportunities. Not all countries are fair like the U.S. as many countries keep their citizens poor in order to control them. They have also realized that “all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside”(Amendment 14, Section 1).

Several years ago, there were three groups that became seriously involved in the debate on immigration: the people who became angry at the fact that the U.S. had not come in control of their borders, business groups that were bitter at lacking immigration system that did not satisfy labor markets, as well as humanitarian groups who fought on the side of illegal workers affording them a legal status and a way to citizenship.

I find it humorous how each group chooses to pursue their own agenda. What they don’t get is the more these groups take sides, the further and further they get to coming up with a balanced reform that satisfies all three parties. A balanced reform will come through working together and trying to appeal to as many people’s needs and wants as they can. No one group will get everything they ask for and they need to realize that what’s done is done. What we now need to focus on is the future and do whatever we can to help it. America is an awfully large country where there are approximately 256 policemen for every 100,000 people, finding and hunting down an illegal would simply take too much time, and frankly, it’s not worth it. That is why enforcement and security are two of my biggest concerns, because like I said earlier, what’s done is done, and we need to focus on bumping up security and start bringing down the hammer on what is to come. If that means doubling or even tripling the number of border patrol officers on duty, then thats what we will have to do. Oh, you think it’s unnecessary government spending to pay all these extra border patrolmen? The federal government alone made at least $72 billion in improper payments in 2008. At least a fourth of that could have gone to the $9.8 billion that was allotted in 2008. According to the article, “substantial security investments since 2006 have led to a steady decline in illegal border crossings.”

Honestly, I think its ridiculous how we can get to the moon, but can’t keep mexicans and other foreigners from invading our lands. Like the author stated, I believe the key to a successful immigration plan is for the President to be 100% committed. Without a committed President, there is no committed plan, and with no committed plan, more and more immigrants choose to flock to the United States to take our jobs and money. Commitment is a huge part in the process of a successful immigration agenda and in the end will be the deciding factor whether the plan strives or fails. George W. Bush is a prime example of a President that was committed to his immigration plan, sticking with it until the end of his eighth term. In 2006, Bush gave the first ever primetime presidential address on immigration and then proposed a five-part plan to reform the immigration system. A plan that is much clearer and much more agreeable than Obama’s.

The article talks about Obama saying “has more time and a greater ability to get things done. But, as he appeared to recognize in the State of the Union, this will require him to promote the core objectives of each major interest group, going beyond campaign-style events aimed at his base.” Like I said earlier, in order to reach a final agreement, Obama must appeal to every group. I’m not saying that he must incorporate every part of every group’s plan in his reform, but to incorporate pieces of each to where the three groups can agree and create that balanced reform that our country and its government has strived to reach.

This particular topic relates back to our class of Government in the way that Obama plays as Chief of State. The role of the Chief of State is significant in the fact that Obama is considered the representative for the people, in which he leads the country in the way the people want it to go. He also acts as the leader of our country and makes the decisions necessary for our nation to strive. For that, he is making a balanced reform that satisfies all groups of people. It’s simple. Commitment, security, and enforcement are, in my opinion, the three keys to a successful immigration reform.

 

Congressional Grappling- Gridlock Surrounding Immigration Reform

Immigration reform in the United States is quickly coming to a head. As the dust from the Presidential election settles and the nation collectively exhales after our near miss with the fiscal cliff, legislators have refocused on issues that drastically impact constituents of certain key demographics.

The Washington Post explains that the driving factor that has brought the GOP to the negotiating table has been the inability of the party to capture the Latino vote. Politico argues that the concerted interest by the Republicans combined with a push by the Democrats has made reform of American Immigration policy a top legislative priority on capitol hill this year. Minorities have successfully utilized the voting pathway of political action to force some measured level of political reform.

That theme of that reform has boiled down to one word: compromise.

Schumer (D-NY), key player in ‘Gang of 8’ (CNN)

Individuals on both sides of the aisle have realized that passing any comprehensive immigration reform package will require bipartisan support. CNN argues that  the realization of a need for bipartisan cooperation (specifically by key congressional powers such as Democratic Senator Schumer) has given way to the formation of what political pundits are calling the ‘gang of 8.’ The Washington post explains that the committee, consisting of 8 key senators (4 Democrats and 4 Republicans) have hammered out a package (of which a preliminary transcript is posted here) that rests on a couple of key planks. The first is increased border control, a non-negotiable issue for members of the GOP. The second is slightly more unconventional. In an effort to reach a true compromise, GOP members allowed for the inclusion of a path to citizenship in their reform package. The path, though long and arduous (it contains a number of key steps, the most notable of which is a requirement to pay fines and back taxes), is a key plank of the package that gives the Democratic senators on the committee something to back.

In addition to those key overarching planks, the National Review explains that the plan also demonstrates a concerted effort to improve the system of legal immigration to attract high skilled workers as well to improve employment verification and secure working rights for potential immigrants and existing illegal aliens already in the nation.

The president, in an effort to assume the role of chief legislator, has waded in and out of the immigration debate. The Washington Post explains that he most recently proposed a solution in Las Vegas as he “put the weight of his administration behind efforts to pass legislation” on Immigration Reform. Although his plan has been deemed unfeasible by Rubio (a key republican senator who is part of the ‘gang of 8’) he has brought immigration reform to the forefront. The National Journal explains that Obama’s proposal was repeatedly been blasted as “dead on arrival,” but it sends a clear message: that immigration reform will become (and already is) a key legislative issue in the foreseeable future.

Obama lays out his plan in Vegas (Wash Post)

Ultimately, I am of the opinion that we will soon see some sort of deal on the issue of illegal immigration. With 11 million undocumented individuals already in our country’s borders and the immense political might of the Latino community, the stakes are simply too high for the issue to remain unresolved. Though the two groups may seem resolute, with the democrats refusing to budge on a path to citizenship and the republicans intent on blocking that very path without significant border control, progress on immigration reform is inevitable. The issue is simply far too important economically, socially, and politically for gridlock to continue.

Is America Still the Land of the Free?

When America was first created, it was seen as a giant melting pot. A place where anyone could go to and be welcomed with open arms. A place of freedom to do what you pleased when you pleased it. But, America as we know it today is not as welcoming as described in the history books. Although we have over 11 million illegal immigrants who have merely been doing their jobs and not hurting anybody, Americans seem to have this idea that all illegal immigrants are bad and are trying to wreck the United States. This reasoning is why congresses’ attempts to make these immigrants citizens have been so controversial. The plan to take these people and make them legal citizens of the US would take time and effort, ensuring these people just truly want to live in the Land of the Free.

Right now, in order to become a United States citizen, you must either have been born in the US or had parents who were citizens when you were born. If you do not fit either of these groups, you can apply for citizenship through either “derived” or “acquired” citizenship through parents, or you can apply for naturalization. The naturalization path is usually difficult and requires being interviewed and taking a test on English and on Civics which is composed of US History and Government.To take the naturalization test, you must be a “permanent resident for at least 5 years, be a green card holder, be able to read, write and speak English, be a person of good moral character, attached to the principles or the Constitution of the United States and well disposed to the good order of happiness of the United States during all relevant periods under the law”(US Citizenship and Immigration Services). In other words, you must be a good person and have positive reasons to want to live in the United States.

Illegal immigrants in the US are not green card holders, so they are not eligible to become a citizen through naturalization. Now, most citizens think, “Why can’t the government just kick out all these illegal immigrants?” Well, they cannot do this for a variety of reasons. One, if we did so, we would be losing a large percentage of our workforce. And two, we can only deport people who are violating laws. There is no reason to deport a family who is minding their own business and not hurting anybody. Since they aren’t hurting anyone, why not just make them legal citizens? This is the issue members of congress are dealing with right now. In the attempt to get more than 11 million illegal immigrants their green cards, the White House leaked an immigration bill draft on Sunday, February 17. The leaked plan called for an 8 year process in which the 11 million illegal immigrants could apply for a “Lawful Prospective Immigrant” visa, increased security funding for borders, and expanded E-Verify systems for employers to check employees legal status. This bill was created by all democrats and was widely disputed by republicans. Senator Marco Rubio released a statement saying, “This legislation is half baked and seriously flawed” and that it would be “dead on arrival” if it were to be sent to Congress. This bill could have been the President’s way of saying Congress is moving too slow in figuring out a bill for this. He said in Las Vegas, “if congress is unable to move forward in a timely fashion, I will send up a bill based on my proposal…” It has been released, however that Obamas’ proposal is a “plan B” if the congress cannot come up with its’ own proposal.

Illegal immigration has been a big issue in the US for quite a while, and legislators are working hard to solve the issue. While there is a “Gang of Eight” who have dedicated all their time to solving the issue of illegal immigration and illegal immigrants, they are still not going fast enough for President Obama. The hope is to get a plan by March, but we will see what happens, and how congress decides to deal with the current situation.

Author: GOV_NicoleH