|
Bi-Jet Romero smoothed creamy sunscreen down the bridge of her nose as she kept watch over a sea of waving flags in the University of Texas at Austin-symbolically acting as lifeguard in a debate that touches emotions and raises questions of social justice, governmental power and a changing America.
The 18-year-old Romero walked out of her high school on April 9, 2006 to join the students, politicians, radio talk-show hosts and activists across the country hoping to influence the debate on how to best reform immigration.
Immigration is at the top of the political debate and people are very outspoken on the topic. Understanding the policy, players and history can be confusing.
THE POLICY
Both the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate have passed independent immigration reform bills, President Bush has addressed the nation with his plan and now a series of Congressional hearings are set to begin which may block the passing of any policy this legislative session.
Fred Cady is a visiting instructor of government at the University of Miami in Miami, Florida-concentrating on U.S. Latin American relations and Latin American politics.
"The house bill that passed provides money to build this infamous wall [between the Mexican and U.S.A. border] and also wants to crack down on employers that employ illegal immigrants. It also speeds up the deportation process," Cady said.
"[The house bill] more or less increases the enforcement effort to lessen the illegal population here in the U.S.-on the whole it is enforcement oriented," Cady said.
The Senate bill proposes a guest worker program, a flexible track to citizenship for immigrants and evaluates the individual based on length of time in the U.S.
When the two houses of Congress pass separate bills addressing an issue, the bills move to a conference committee where a new negotiated bill will be written and sent back to the houses for approval.
The House of Representatives have muddied the process by calling for a series of hearings to better understand public opinion and consider different solutions, but the meetings may leave no time to finish the process.
Bush entered the policy debate as he addressed the nation May 15, 2006 hoping to shape the final policy. His plan proposes a "temporary worker program" that would include stricter border control, reinforce U.S. economy and provide a fair path to citizenship and incentives for temporary immigrants to return home.
Because of high emotions and political maneuvering meaningful, reform may not come soon and cannot possibly please everyone.
STUDENTS MAKING A DIFFERENCE
Beyond politicians, many people have been moved to action, hoping to impact policy and have a voice in this very important political process.
Students staged walk-outs, workers did not work, people talked about national politics around dinner tables and water coolers.
Andrea Avalos, age 16, along with seven female classmates joined in the April 9th rally in Austin, Texas with the permission of parents and administrators. "I’m just here in support of just immigration," Avalos said.
Her school discouraged walking-out without permission, but encouraged their primarily Latino student body to take time during the day to write letters to lawmakers.
"I think people are starting to realize that we’ve been looked down on for a long time. This issue is about racism and I’m proud of so many students for walking out," Romero said.
A FEW PLAYERS
Mexico has extreme stakes, but little voice, in the debate. Remittances-the money sent back to home countries by immigrants-is Mexico’s second largest source of foreign income, after oil and before tourism.
Mexican President Vicente Fox has tried to change Mexican public opinion of immigration propelling foreign workers to a sort of hero status, but Fox is calling for U.S. reform that would bring immigrants out of the shadows.
Some Americans object to the cultural impact of immigration, arguing that Mexican and Latino immigrants do not "fit in" and take jobs away from Americans.
But Cady disagrees, "Rarely do immigrations integrate in the first generation. They have always congregated in their little Italies, Chinatowns, and Irish sections. I’ve never met a second generation person who wasn’t fluent in English."
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
Regardless of your feelings about immigration, use your voice, contact your lawmakers, write your newspaper, tell your classmates and family members how you feel, debate the issues and listen to other perspectives. Understand that these national decisions will have enormous personal impact on families and lives.
LINKS
Find your national representatives at http://www.house.gov/writerep/. Your state representatives, if you live in Texas at http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/fyi/fyi.htm.
Other states have similar services if you check out the state website. Also, your newspapers would love to hear from you, try sending a letter to the editor.
June 2006
|
