Currently, an immigration reform bill is pending in the Senate. The bill intends to make massive changes to the immigration process, by providing more security around the southern U.S. border, and including new means for illegal immigrants to obtain their U.S. citizenship. There is much opposition to the bill, due to the fact that the accumulated cost of this reform will add to the U.S. deficit. Over 50 years, it is expected to cost the government $6.3 trillion for this large-scale reform. Others believe that the sudden addition of 11 million citizens to the nation will cause other problems "would put the country's national security at risk".
However, many have been pushing for this reform in order to change the lives of many suffering immigrants. Mexican priest Rev. Alejandro Solalinde, an outspoken speaker for Mexican migrants, will be travelling from Los Angeles to Washington in order to push for this grand-scale reform. Solalinde intends "to include more voices in the debate" by speaking on behalf of the poor migrants form Mexico, "lobbying for a path to citizenship, a stop to the separation of families, and greater attention to the human cost of immigration policies." He doesn't believe his voice will have much impact on the national government, but he is determined to make change for the better, no matter how small it may be.
Do you think that Solalinde will be able to have any influence the American government? Do you think immigration reform is something that the U.S. is ready to deal with?
3 comments:
There are definitely people who are more influential than Solalinde who may be lobbying on the same bill persuading on both sides. This is a huge sudden step, and I think the immigration reform process should be dealt with slowly. I can see both sides of the argument. There is definitely a possibility of risks to national security and on top of that, Republicans may not be in favor of these immigrants gaining citizenship for many reasons - mainly because these immigrants are projected to vote in line with the democratic party.
Immigration is definitely an issue that needs to be dealt with but I don't think we'll find a bipartisan solution any time soon.
Oh, my. This reminds me of a Daily Show segment on May 5 where people were protesting for immigration reform on Cinco de Mayo instead of celebrating the holiday. A lot of their stories were very sad and from other stories I've read about, I think that immigration does really need reform. I hope that people listen to Solalinde and others like him and get this immigration reform bill passed. It's just been a continual issue that states have been struggling with, and having a federal law may clarify and set appropriate standards.
I think immigration reform has been a long time coming. It's been a major issue on the political agenda for months now, and I do think this bill should meet with success. The bill was supposed to have bits to appease both parties, and though nothing goes through the Congress too easily, I do believe that this will eventually pass.
Post a Comment