MyDD :: Redefining Immigration Reform

Redefining Immigration Reform

by Melissa Ryan, Fri Jun 08, 2007 at 10:27:16 PM EST

This week immigration has been in the news and on my mind quite a bit. It started with the Republican debate on Tuesday night. Listening to the candidates made me realize that recently the GOP has done a better job of framing the Immigration debate by marrying it to homeland security. The human element gets lost in the fear mongering and Democrats end up on the defensive. How can we reclaim the moral high ground on this issue?

The immigration bill is dead, or maybe it isn't. According to an article in today's WaPo lawmakers plan to keep talking. The future of the bill, and the estimated 15 million people it would immediately affect remains unclear.

Meanwhile in New Haven CT, the municipal government actually did something about immigration reform this week. They approved issuing a form of municipal ID, available to any resident regardless of their immigration status. The idea was conceived so that undocumented workers could open bank accounts instead of having to carry large amounts of cash on their person making them a target for muggers. But it's been expanded so that the ID can function as a library card, debit card and a nifty way to pay parking meters.

The day after passing the Municipal ID, the NH community of Fair Haven was raided by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. At least 29 people were taken from their homes and transfered out of state. Officials in New Haven, and many in the community, assume that the raids were a retaliatory move.

I haven't followed the Federal Immigration bill very closely. It feels incomprehensible and impersonal. I have a basic understanding of what the bill will do, and what the objections to it are. What gets lost is how it will actually affect families and communities. The events in New Haven have held my interest because they are humanized and tangible. Both the ID card and the raids are easy to gras. They show the Immigration issue's actual affect on human lives.

I'd like to see Democrats take back Immigration Reform and redefine it as a fight for social justice. This goes for those living among us as well as those who wish to come here in the future. Homeland Security is connected to Immigration but they are not one and the same. My question to you is how can we best go about this?

Tags: Activism, Immigrint Rights, Immigration Policy, Immigration Reform, Connecticut (all tags)

Permalink :: 28 Comments :: Post a Comment

Re: Redefining Immigration Reform (none / 0)

Good point.

I think the bill is not dead yet.In fact, i'm hearing rumours that it might make a come back as soon as within 2 weeks.

The Democrats desperatly need a bill to claim they've accomplished something while the Presidents also needs this issue before he leave office.

by JaeHood on Fri Jun 08, 2007 at 10:37:09 PM EST

Re: Redefining Immigration Reform (3.00 / 1)

God, I hope not!

Yes, the democrats need a bill to pass, but certainly not this one... independents HATE the bill... any gain we'd make with hispanics would certainly be wiped out by independent voter losses.

The H1B provisions alone in this bill would certainly see the death of American engineering and Computer Science.

Why the hell are we pushing a Republican issue? There is no "crisis". republicans ignored health care for so many years, yet we are pushing a bill that will decimate middle class jobs... not from migrant workers, but from unlimited H1B visas!

Thanks,

Mike

Thanks,

Mike

by lordmikethegreat on Fri Jun 08, 2007 at 11:55:09 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Redefining Immigration Reform (3.00 / 2)

Why the hell are we pushing a Republican issue? There is no "crisis".

Right. And how do we make Immigration our own as an issue? I think the answer is to detach it from homeland security. But getting that narrative out there could take awhile.

by Melissa Ryan on Sat Jun 09, 2007 at 05:20:36 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Redefining Immigration Reform (none / 0)

And why would we WANT to make it our issue? Immigration reform is a sure loser politically.. let the Republicans fester in their own hate, driving hispanics toward us. We don't need to drive independents away with our "amnesty" proposals. I realize that that is an unfair characterization, but that is how most of America sees it...

Thanks,

Mike

by lordmikethegreat on Sat Jun 09, 2007 at 07:14:18 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Redefining Immigration Reform (none / 0)

I think we might make progress by emphasizing that this is a social justice issue. The key word here is reform.

by Melissa Ryan on Sat Jun 09, 2007 at 09:59:30 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Redefining Immigration Reform (3.00 / 1)

We need to make it our issue because it is an important issue. As for allowing Republicans to fester - yes, we should, for now. But after 2008 we need to act on this, and we should start framing it now to ensure our success.

www.thingsyoungerthanmccain.com

by LandStander on Sat Jun 09, 2007 at 03:05:16 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Redefining Immigration Reform (none / 0)

No crisis? What do you base that on? Why does this have to be so emotional. Best suggestion I heard was breaking the immigration bill into components or 4 bills: border security, guest worker, family preference, and then looking at what should be an impartial immigration policy for the US. That would be a first. Insteading of throwing the baby out with the baby water triangulating, we could actually look at something impartially.

by dkmich on Sat Jun 09, 2007 at 09:48:10 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Redefining Immigration Reform (none / 0)

Why do you think this is a crisis? Are immigrants pillaging our cities or destroying our economy? Are they dying in the streets? Most are working and surviving - and living a better life here than where they came from.

Yes, we need to address immigration (and multiple bills sounds like a good strategy), but it has only become a crisis because Bush decided he wanted it to be a crisis, and the media happily towed the line (I'm looking at you, Lou Dobbs!)

www.thingsyoungerthanmccain.com

by LandStander on Sat Jun 09, 2007 at 03:08:22 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Redefining Immigration Reform (none / 0)

The crisis isn't immigrants. It is labor, wages, jobs and corporate welfare. We have had immigration for years. Hasn't hurt us yet. Why do you think they tied guest worker in to the immigration bill? So, they could blur the issue and have everybody arguing over color instead of corporatism and another freaking bail out. We have Obey giving increases to "abstinence only" programs. Rangel negotiating secret trade deals. Kennedy pushing guest workers, a permanent underclass with less hope than the normal poor. And all the Dems caving on funding for the war. Sounds like a pattern to me.

by dkmich on Sat Jun 09, 2007 at 03:43:09 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Redefining Immigration Reform (3.00 / 1)

We have Obey giving increases to "abstinence only" programs. Rangel negotiating secret trade deals. Kennedy pushing guest workers, a permanent underclass with less hope than the normal poor. And all the Dems caving on funding for the war. Sounds like a pattern to me.

I'm gonna go get drunk :(

www.thingsyoungerthanmccain.com

by LandStander on Sat Jun 09, 2007 at 03:49:18 PM EST
[ Parent ]

I'll meet you there. (none / 0)

What a depressing state of affairs.

by dkmich on Sat Jun 09, 2007 at 06:55:35 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Redefining Immigration Reform (3.00 / 1)

Whatever we do, we must should try personalize the "other" that Lou Dobbs keeps lumped intoa gray nebulous "they." We should try to be humane and just. I think this campaign is hitting a lot of the right notes: Dreams Across America. Tell your family's immigration story... Of course we should get the policy right, but we are compassionate and just and we should never let this debate be about something other than human lives- not politics.

by dereau on Fri Jun 08, 2007 at 11:54:40 PM EST

Thanks for the link (none / 0)

I hadn't seen that.

by Melissa Ryan on Sat Jun 09, 2007 at 05:17:55 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Rigins (none / 0)

(I'm an ELL (English for Language Learner) math/science teacher.)

Rigins came to the US from Haiti when he was 14 y.o. He couldn't read, write, add, etc. He wrote his name in manuscript because he learned to write his letters by copying them out of a book. Rigins' IQ was barely normal. His socialization skills were rudimentary.

In Haiti, he lived with his grandmother. His day was spent sitting on the side of a mountain selling bananas for firewood. Rigins' mother saved up enough money to send him here legally. He lived in an seedy apartment with two other middle school boys. Whenever I stopped by to check on them, the place was immaculately clean. They carried packages for people at the flea market. They repaired discarded bicycles and sold them to make money. There was an "uncle" who came paid the rent, etc. and brought them food.

Eventually, Rigins moved in with another "uncle." This new uncle helped him with his education. Rigins earned his diploma, passing his high school classes including the algebra requirement. He mastered the dreaded state assessment.

I ran into Rigins last year at the local supermarket. He was an assistant manager. Frequently I run into former students who are making more money than I am!

I just don't understand why we can't put together a workable, but compassionate, immigration policy.

Dare to be free.

by misscee on Sat Jun 09, 2007 at 10:15:09 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Redefining Immigration Reform (3.00 / 2)

New Haven is just dealing with the reality in their community. As mayor DeStefano pointed out in yesterday's NYT article, he can't control what the Federal Government does or doesn't do about immigration. But he'd rather not see residents of the city driven even further under ground.

DeStefano also said that "the [Federal] law was only enforced episodically." I think that's probably a bigger indication that it's OK to come here illegally than the issuing of a municipal ID card.

by Melissa Ryan on Sat Jun 09, 2007 at 10:06:04 AM EST

Re: Redefining Immigration Reform (3.00 / 2)

I'm for bringing the 12 million illegal immigrants out of the shadow.Anyone that tries to tell you that we can make them leave, are just crazy.12 million people aren't going anywhere.You will not see a massive exit no matter what you do.

The Democratic leadership has it right on point.Stop future flow of illegal immigration and bring the ones that are already absorbed by our economy, out of the shadow and into the light.If you want to call this "amensty", then fine.This is GOP rhetoric to scare people off.They've done it with gays, now they are doing it for immigrants, and it's sad to see some liberals falling for this.

I refuse to let Republican scare me by telling me the brown people are coming to kill me and take over my house, country and job.

by JaeHood on Sat Jun 09, 2007 at 10:10:25 AM EST

Re: Redefining Immigration Reform (none / 0)

You're right, it is important to deal with the 12 million visitors without visas already in the country. They are not going anywhere, as you indicated.

But I don't think liberals are "falling" for the scare tactics of the GOP by opposing the new legislation. Rather, they recall that in 1986, when the immigration bill of that year was passed, there were an estimated 3 million undocumented people in the country. The 1986 bill granted an "amnesty" and the numbers grew to 12 million or more this year.

Thus, the message went out: it didn't matter if you entered the U.S. illegally, there would be an amnesty down the road, so not to worry.

Personally, I think we've come to the point where the borders should be completely open and let the chips fall where they may (hello, North American Union!), but obviously, not everyone agrees.

by Timothy on Sat Jun 09, 2007 at 12:45:21 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Redefining Immigration Reform (none / 0)

Personally, I think we've come to the point where the borders should be completely open and let the chips fall where they may (hello, North American Union!), but obviously, not everyone agrees.

Wow, bold statement. I somewhat agree, ideologically at least.

www.thingsyoungerthanmccain.com

by LandStander on Sat Jun 09, 2007 at 03:13:02 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Redefining Immigration Reform (none / 0)

i feel i am unclear on parts of this bill - can someone help me out?

as i see it, the bill says that any illegal immigrants in the US right now are OK to stay here as long as the get a "z visa" whereas if they get caught now they get deported. yes or no?

what else does the bill do besides amping up border security?

thanks!

by scanman1722 on Sat Jun 09, 2007 at 12:17:34 PM EST

Re: Redefining Immigration Reform (none / 0)

Who knows? It all depends on any amendments that are passed, and then the House bill, followed by the conference committee negotiations, and the regulations implementing the new bill (if it ever passes). This is why immigration lawyers will always have jobs!

In my view, putting citizenship matters and border security together in the same piece of legislation is absolutely insane, but that's what they've done. Hasn't worked out too well.

by Timothy on Sat Jun 09, 2007 at 12:54:16 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Redefining Immigration Reform (none / 0)

The illegal worker would have to pay a fine,back taxes,and pass criminal background checks...they will also have to keep their jobs and pass further criminal background checks every year or so.

The borders will be beefed up, more ICE agents to lean on employers and huge fine for anyone thats caught hiring future illegal immigrants.

Guest worker program will be created for foreighner that has no desire to come live here but only wants to work and go back to home to theie family.

Th bill is not perfect, but much better then the status quo.

by JaeHood on Sat Jun 09, 2007 at 12:46:46 PM EST

Re: Redefining Immigration Reform (none / 0)

I just can't get into this sympathy progressives have for illegal aliens. Really? How can you rightfully knock Bush for breaking the law by torturing, illegal wiretaping, extraordinary rendition, Hatch amendment violations, and turn around really not give a shit that illegal aliens have broken the law? Talk about double standards. Plus they are driving down wages for the poorest Americans, a group Dems claim to want to help?

by padcrasher on Sat Jun 09, 2007 at 01:10:27 PM EST

Re: Redefining Immigration Reform (none / 0)

Because immigrants are people.

www.thingsyoungerthanmccain.com

by LandStander on Sat Jun 09, 2007 at 03:14:50 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Redefining Immigration Reform (none / 0)

Notice how they continually use immigrant instead of illegal, totally blurring the distinction between the two. Sort of reminds me of Sadam and 911. Notice how they infer that all opposition is bigoted. This sort of reminds me of unAmerican. Now is this a lesson in obfuscation or what. How to assess an immigration proposal

by dkmich on Sat Jun 09, 2007 at 07:02:30 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Redefining Immigration Reform (none / 0)

How do we fix laws that don't work then? If we follow your logic we should never forgive people who spit on the ground. 500,000 low wage jobs are created every year in america. These jobs are not taken, they allow american born workers to raise into higher level jobs while maintaining lower skilled workforces. Laborers become foreman and assitants become paralegals.

But the US only gives 120,000 visas a year and there is a 2 year back log.

Let's just fix it. It drives the economy anyway to continue to produce as our economy diversifies and less and less production is the dream of high school kids.

"in strength there is weakness, in weakness there is strength" Sun Tzu

by javgonz on Sat Jun 09, 2007 at 07:38:22 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Redefining Immigration Reform (none / 0)

We are all losing on this issue because we frame it about immigrants and immigration. That is not the issue. For me the issue is that government does not do things that help us build bridges of opportunity to our dreams. Instead politicians use issues to build walls between us so we do not come together to force them to do things that find real solutions to problems we all face and feel.

Immigration reform is just another issue we cannot articulate well and define what role government plays in making sure we can seek out those opportunities we all dream of.

We are doing a trip people should check out:
www.dreamsacrossamericaonline.org

"in strength there is weakness, in weakness there is strength" Sun Tzu

by javgonz on Sat Jun 09, 2007 at 07:34:14 PM EST

Re: Redefining Immigration Reform (none / 0)

There is no progressive "movement" about immigration reform. Traditional constituencies continue to bring it up, but the online world is largely unimpacted and not engaged.

Once we know the people and demystify "them," we have a better chance to change the framing from "aliens" to "people." And we can combat the nativists who successfully use fear as their weapon.

That's what http://dreamsacrossamerica.org is all about.

by rick jacobs on Sat Jun 09, 2007 at 09:20:23 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Redefining Immigration Reform (none / 0)

We have an immigration process in place. Illegals have chosen to ignore them and then claim a right to be here because they've broken our immigration laws.

We have the right and the responsibility to determine the levels and rules of immigration that benefit our national interests, rather than the interests of those who have no right to be here.

We need to strengthen and enforce current immigration laws to turn off the job magnet for illegal workers. No jobs, no health care, no schools, no driver licenses, no amnesty, no illegals. (And, yes, they will go home.) If illegals want to obtain citizenship then they must leave the country and get in line.

Illegals who risk coming here do so at there own peril. Having anchor babies here doesn't legitimize their illegal status nor absolves them of their negligence. Illegals are foremost responsible for their family situations. Many American families are broken regularly when a parent gets busted crimes, and I don't see Democrats, liberals championing reform and justice for them.

So, no, Melissa, we need to redefine so-called "immigration reform" as a fight for fairness and economic justice for American and legal immigrant workers, rather than for open border advocates and the big business cheap labor agenda.

by fafnir on Sun Jun 10, 2007 at 03:51:29 PM EST

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