OPINION & EDITORIAL
Immigration bill proves fair, sympathetic
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Also by Josh Moskowitz:
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- Planted articles hurt Iraqi democracy (December 14, 2005)
- DeLay's tactics catch up with him, finally (April 15, 2005)
- Iran key concern for Israel (January 26, 2006)
- Journalism out in jeopardy (April 25, 2005)
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- Bill O'Reilly hits new lows in Geraldo beef (April 11, 2007)
- Immigration debate truly cultural, not economic (November 16, 2007)
- Sensenbrenner wrong on immigration (March 27, 2006)
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by Josh Moskowitz
Thursday, April 13, 2006
Driving to Chicago on Monday, I watched as a number of mainly Hispanic men, women and children walked down University Avenue holding and waving large signs for "A Day without Latinos" rally. All across America, the radio crackled, millions of people were walking down their respective University Avenue's to not only protest the Draconian House immigration bill passed last year but to also celebrate the contributions and achievements of our immigrant population.
In a spontaneous burst two weeks ago, Los Angeles witnessed its largest political rally ever, with over 500,000 people participating in demonstrations that overwhelmed downtown. Last Sunday, Dallas was home to a rally that brought in 500,000 people. On Tuesday, at least 100,000 people marched in Phoenix, while other rallies were held in downtown New York and Washington, D.C.
Organized by a grassroots team of church, labor and community organizations, the demonstrations have provided a voice and presence for those reduced to living in the shadows of our society. Additionally, this organic movement has provided a real political voice for one of our country's most overlooked political constituencies: Hispanics. And while Hispanics have certainly dominated these rallies in sheer size, their struggle is one that many Americans can identify with.
Though this peaceful, principled and passionate movement has won the hearts and minds of a majority of Americans, the Senate continues to fail to put together a comprehensive plan for action. It behooves the Senate to put together a package that will force the House to reconsider its xenophobic and unprincipled anti-immigration bill. The Senate Judiciary Committee's bill, which initially received bipartisan support, must be brought to the floor in its original language. It remains the only piece of legislation that effectively tackles border enforcement and the issue of our nation's illegal immigrants.
The bill, sponsored by Sens. John McCain and Ted Kennedy, would allow the country's 11-12 million illegal immigrants to apply for a work visa after paying back taxes and a fine, and undergoing a background check. After four years, visa holders would be able to apply for their green card and begin the process of applying for citizenship. It would also create an expanded guest-worker program, allowing 400,000 more people a year to enter the United States legally.
Additionally, the bill calls for strengthening and enhancing our nation's borders. Increasing the number of border patrol guards and investing in technology that will deter illegal immigrants from entering the country is necessary in preventing terrorists from infiltrating our borders. While some have advocated for the deportation of any illegal immigrants found in our country, this preposterous idea would violate family unification principles and run counter to the values of American society.
In classrooms throughout the United States, young children learn of the guiding principles our country was built upon. They are taught to embrace diversity, tolerance and equality. For generations, immigrants have flocked to our country's shores because of the values we continue to promote. In order for the United States to remain competitive in a global economy, we must continue opening our arms to those brilliant immigrants hoping to succeed and prosper.
While President Bush has tacitly endorsed the Senate Judiciary Committee bill, he should begin to push Republican Senators to accept this reasonable and compassionate piece of legislation. The bill will remedy one of country's most glaring problems while continuing to promote and foster our country's greatest asset: openness.
Josh Moskowitz (jmoskowitz@wisc.edu) is a senior majoring in political science and journalism.
Anonymous (April 13, 2006 @ 10:57am):
"Though this peaceful, principled and passionate movement has won the hearts and minds of a majority of Americans,"
I call BS. What polls show that? The majority of citizens and legal residents are against rewarding criminals.
Reagan gave amnesty to millions of criminals and it just encouraged millions more to break the law.
Another amnesty will just prove that it pays to break the law.
Secure the borders first. Enforce the existing laws.
Anonymous (April 13, 2006 @ 11:08am):
This is the only country on Earth that thinks it's not sporting to consider our own interests in choosing immigrants. Try showing up in any other country on the planet, illiterate and penniless, and announcing: "I've seen pictures of your country and it looks great. I think I'd like to live here! Oh, and by the way, would you mind changing all your government and business phone messages, street signs and ballots into my native language? Thanks!" They would laugh you out of the country
Americans aren't allowed to consider whether millions of immigrants refusing to learn English and American history is potentially dangerous to our communities.
Mr. Bush, BUILD THAT WALL!
Anonymous (April 13, 2006 @ 11:37am):
It's not "fair, sympathetic" to the US citizens and LEGAL residents that are un-employed because the lower wage and unskilled entry level jobs are filled with ILLEGAL immigrants.
How many more tens of millions will invade the USA once amnesty is granted to the millions of law breakers already here?
Anonymous (April 13, 2006 @ 1:10pm):
Why do we feel like we have a sense of entitlement to this land? This land isn't being "invaded", or "changed" by other people. Don't worry white people you'll always be on top! No one is out to destroy our communities by refusing to learn English. This all illustrates the Orwellian direction that our country is taking and how its citizens sit idly by, selfishly thinking of our pocketbooks. Can anyone who has actually seen the Statue of Liberty and read its inscription or seen the Constitution and read its inscription believe that building a seven hundred mile long fence is in the spirit of freedom that America is built on? I remember a nation with a wall, it was called East Germany.
Anonymous (April 13, 2006 @ 1:39pm):
It is not "fair, sympathetic" to allow these criminals to cut-in line in front of those trying to LEGALLY become citizens.
Anonymous (April 13, 2006 @ 2:30pm):
East Gemany built a wall to keep people in. China built a wall to keep invaders out.
Mr. Bush, BUILD THAT WALL!
Stop the invasion.
Anonymous (April 13, 2006 @ 5:47pm):
US should give back what was Mexico's to begin with.
Anonymous (April 13, 2006 @ 7:32pm):
San Diego is bankrupt due to illegal aliens. There may be other problems associated with this situation.
Liberalism is a philosophy of consolation for Western Civilization as it commits suicide.
Anonymous (April 13, 2006 @ 8:50pm):
"US should give back what was Mexico's to begin with."
Didn't the French own Mexico? Or was it Spain? Or did they steal it from those Aztec cannibals.
Is Spain supposed to send back all that gold?
Anonymous (April 13, 2006 @ 9:42pm):
The entire illegal immigration problem isn't that difficult. Just annex Mexico. Upside: lots of oil at popular prices. Downside: Once the Mexicans are Americans, they'll be unwilling to put up drywall or pick tomatoes, since those are "jobs Americans will not do." So maybe that's not a good idea. Try this, then: Build a wall, tall and long. Make illegal aliens register, pay a fine, and get on the path to legal status. There you have it! Security, compassion, firmness. Drywall. Seems simple, but one suspects it will never happen -- not as long as Republican look at illegals and see Workers, and Democrats see Voters. To say nothing of the people who see protesting illegals waving Mexican flags, and think: ingrates.
http://www.newhousenews.com/archive/lileks040506.html
Anonymous (April 14, 2006 @ 12:31am):
I like how everyone quotes the same right-wing news article for every relevant article.
Anonymous (April 27, 2006 @ 7:18pm):
Great article Josh
