Immigration Demands Heat Up Before Obama Takes Over
The New York Carib News, News Report, Tony Best, Posted: Jan 05, 2009
Weeks before President-elect Barack Obama officially takes office in Washington, calls for a comprehensive immigration reform package are getting louder.
And the calls are coming from lawmakers, academics, immigration advocates and newspaper editorials. What they are demanding is early attention to be paid to the immigration issue, which, understandably, was placed on the backburner during the two-year election campaign that culminated in the Obama victory over Senator John McCain on November 4th.
“There are myriad claims to Barack Obama’s attention and the list will only grow before January 20,” said Dr, Jorge G. Castaneda, professor of Latin American and Caribbean studies at New York University in Manhattan. “But immigration reform, and more immediately, putting an end to the outgoing (Bush) administration’s unfortunate and inhuman immigration enforcement policy should be high on the President elect’s list.”
U.S. Congressman Bennie Thompson, chairman of the Homeland Security Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives in Washington, was among the first to urge the incoming Obama Administration to place immigration reform on the list, “Immigration reform is very important,” he told this paper while attending the annual Caribbean Multi-National Business Conference in St. Marten in November.
Dr. Marco Mason, a political science professor at Medgar Evers College of the City University of New York, and one of the most vocal immigration advocates in Brooklyn, agreed.
“It’s important that immigration reform which was placed on the back-burner during the presidential campaign, due to obvious political reasons, should now be given immediate attention by the new administration.” He too told the Carib News. “While we understood the reasons why the immigration question was downplayed during the campaign, it must be elevated to prominence because of the immense impact a reform package can have on the lives of people across the country. After all, with an estimated 12 million undocumented immigrants now living throughout the land, and with Blacks and Hispanics having given Obama their full backing at the polls it stands to reason why the new President must act promptly to provide a pathway to legalization and eventually to citizenship for these immigrants.”
Both Dr. Mason and Prof. Castaneda believe the new administration should strike early now that there is so much goodwill for the President.
“The country would support a president who is seen to be dealing with the economic turmoil, the Wall Street meltdown, the foreclosure crisis and the problems in our schools while at the same time tackling the thorny headache of immigration,” said Dr. Mason.
Prof. Castaneda, however, put it differently. “Immigration reform is the sort of complex and costly project that, as a rule, presidents accomplish only at the peak of their power –when their term begins,” he wrote in an Op-Ed in a national newspaper. “If Mr. Obama decides to postpone immigration reform until later, he runs the risk of no longer possessing the leverage to convince his party’s legislators to brace the furies of the extreme right wing.”
“But even without comprehensive reform, Mr. Obama can make a huge difference in the lives of millions of undocumented immigrants in the United States,” the Latin American and Caribbean scholar wrote. “Since the late 2006, the Bush Administration has been carrying out ‘tough love’ side of immigration without the generous and open-arms side, which would mean legislation for those in the United States today, and a migrant workers program for those it will need tomorrow.”
There should be a plan that would first allow most of the undocumented to become legal residents, the supporters said. The next step would be eligibility for a green card and ultimately citizenship, a process that could take between seven to 10 years.
Greater emphasis is on family re-unification and less on enforcement by the Department of Homeland Security that controls immigration, and an end to the unconscionable nighttime raids conducted by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), arm of the Department of Homeland Security.
Also, there should be amendments to existing laws that would clearly delineate who should be deported as criminal aliens.
The aim would be to give immigrants a second chance in the country, provided they didn’t commit murder, rape and other serious criminal offences. The introduction of a worker recruitment drive that brings in immigrants for as long as five years before they are required to return home.An end to the construction of the wall which separates Mexico and the United States but that doesn’t stretch along the line with Canada.
Ultimately, there should be steps that would make it easier for families to be reunited.
Prof. Castaneda thinks many of these moves would send a clear and important signal, not simply to the United States but the world. “He would say to the rest of the world that on his watch, the United States will not build fences, deport mothers without their children, nor persecute foreigners,” he said. “He can do all of this with just the stroke of a pen.”
Dr. Mason couldn’t agree more. “President Obama would be telling the world that humanity has returned to U.S. immigration policies,” he said.
Immigration Activists Battle Harsh Laws Across U.S.
Immigration Reform Trapped in Political Dualism
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User Comments
Marco Ramirez on Jan 22, 2009 at 06:49:55 said:
TO ALL THOSE PEOPLE THAT SAY THAT THE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS SHOULD BE DEPORTED...I HAVE ONE THING TO SAY. "unless you are a native american you are still an immigrant. stop talking about the undocumented because if you go back far enough on your family history, at some point you were illegal as well"
Yadira on Jan 22, 2009 at 06:44:11 said:
As a student in the United States with numerous friends that do not have the proper documentation, I believe that a reform would be very beneficial to our economy and our society. Students here deserve opportunities to succeed in life and acquire the education that was inteded to be obtained. This year we hope that our new president will bring hope to these students and other undocumented people. Hope is what we need to change America and to make history....
lcs on Jan 13, 2009 at 16:58:43 said:
Barack Obama is a nice person, intelligent one, one of a kind, gifted, many American\'s pharases him, he has proven that by winning the heart of majority of American people. So what to worry about? We voted for him because we trust him. Let him roll the ball. And I believe He will be fair to all American people and to all undocumented immigrant in making wise decision that make both end meet.
Shoshi on Jan 13, 2009 at 08:48:42 said:
It seems sad to me that so many Americans have come to the conclusion that the the rights laid out in the constitution of the United States apply only to the people who had the dumb luck to be born here. I always thought that they were what we believed were HUMAN RIGHTS and that we would enforce them in our country because we had the power but that they were what ALL PEOPLE deserved. What makes you so much better than the other 6 billion people on the planet that you, as an American, should automatically get these rights but then not have the responsibility to treat others by the same rules?
Some of you have asked, what is so inhumane about our immigration law? How about the fact that people are held for years in maximum security prisons with people who we consider the dregs of society? How about the fact that ICE operatives are paid by quota? How about the fact that prisons are MAKING MONEY HAND OVER FIST detaining immigrants, using your tax dollars? How about the fact that parents, who are here legally, can't legally get their children into the country? How about the fact that illegal immigrants and legal residents who are subject to deportation have no right to lawyers or legal aid, despite the fact that mistakes are often made, sometimes resulting in CITIZENS being deported? How about the fact that it is virtually impossible for the average person to immigrate legally to the US from Africa and Latin America? How about the fact that we treat these people, who are usually hardworking, honest and sincerely trying to improve the lives of their family and community, like they are worse than the worst serial killer?
These people have broken the law. I can understand why people would have a problem with that. I can understand the arguments of people who believe there are more pressing concerns or the economy can't handle more immigrants. I don't agree, but I can understand. What I can't understand is dehumanizing and demonizing illegal immigrants, who are often taking one of the few opportunities to better themselves in the midst of the despair and ugliness of a world that often seems beyond broken.
Dan on Jan 12, 2009 at 13:33:50 said:
Sure let them in. In 50 years we\'ll have 500 million U.S. citizens. In 100 years we\'ll have 1 billion and look like India. Some parts already do look like India. But that\'s all in the future. Who cares.
carmona on Jan 08, 2009 at 07:37:05 said:
The real Americans are in the Indian Reservations.
nixon julia on Jan 07, 2009 at 17:51:58 said:
Boy. Give an immigrant family a couple generations in America and they start thinking they should keep everyone else out.
Ron on Jan 06, 2009 at 12:15:12 said:
When you have states such as Maine, Vermont, and Rhode Island, passing illegal alien laws then you know you have a serious problem in this country. The 12 million illegal aliens number that the press loves to throw out is a farce. The American public would go nuts to find out that the true number is 35-45 million in this country. It is time for Americans to take a close look at the tan clans, La Raza, Lulac, meCHa and the others to see what it is they are really striving for. If you really want change, write your lawmakers and write them often. The Southern states are losing this war and it is creeping up in the country and hurting the economies of almost every city in America. Do your part.
Deport Em on Jan 06, 2009 at 11:04:17 said:
Obama would be a fool to bring this up immediately. With the million of LEGAL citizens losing their jobs and homes, Americans will go crazy if the illegals are given any kind of benefits. We rose up last time amnesty was brought up and we all know how that went. Times are even worse now. Law enforcement is absolutely necessary for the illegals who think the laws do not apply to them. We cannot afford to take in all the worlds poor just cause they want a better life. Their better life lies in educating themselves and following the rules to become legal citizens. I would love to see Obama take a beating on this one !!
Smith on Jan 06, 2009 at 08:13:02 said:
It's high time the world knows that America is the ideal place to be, God's own country ever willing to harbor millions of people set to contribute exceedingly and meaningfully to the growth of this great nation. Immigrants are humans and deciding to come to America for a better life i feel must be recognized and appreciated by Americans. Immigrants join the military to fight for America, they work so hard and do odd jobs Americans cannot even comprehend with, they are like sheeps that adhere strictly to rules and regulations so why deport them when they not committing crimes. America must know that if Obama doesn't fulfill his promises regarding granting a pathway to citizenship to illegal immigrants, the rest of the world would only be lurking around waiting and willing to laugh and mock America. This is a course we all have to agree with and i pray Obama endorses this asap. God bless my country and the United states of America.
LO on Jan 06, 2009 at 05:22:07 said:
Im an American and I want Immigration reform now for the undocumented who deserve it!
Bill on Jan 06, 2009 at 01:00:57 said:
With all the war America is involved in around the world today it's pretty scary to realize millions and millions of illegals can cross the border, tap into financial assistance and medical care above and beyond what American citizens can get and then demand an amnesty and the means to import more family members. America is falling apart from within.
SV on Jan 05, 2009 at 22:40:05 said:
Castaneda knows "CIR" amnesty is very unpopular and that's why he wants Obama to peddle this soon during the honeymoon phase. If Obama is smart, he will not go near this as most Americans oppose amnesty and want the laws finally enforced. If Obama does push this (especially now with so many Americans losing their jobs) the American people will again rise up against the cheap labor and ethnocentric special interests and say NO.
citizen on Jan 05, 2009 at 21:27:17 said:
we will win youll see ,will get an amnesty!!!!!!!!!!!
Bobby on Jan 05, 2009 at 19:59:43 said:
Strange isn't it? While many Americans are working hard and paying taxes, other Americans are helping Mexican foreign nationals like ex-communist Jorge Casteneda sell their fellow Americans down the drain with illegal immigration and Amnesty. It's sad, that so many American citizens are either traitors to their fellow Americans, or just plain too self centered with all of their sublimations to even care. Todays United States gets treated like dead meat, that is picked on by all types of vultures, foreign and domestic.
Rivera on Jan 05, 2009 at 19:44:23 said:
Illegal immigrants do not want to get out of the shadows. The only reason they want to work here is because they send their earnings to their home country where it is worth ten times as much. Americans do not have that opportunity!
There is an insurmountable influx of illegals that is bankrupting our country.
We canot keep absorbing the cost!
See live footage of new arrivals daily:
Check out: www.borderinvasions.com
Steve on Jan 05, 2009 at 19:41:35 said:
Americans still overwhemingly prefer immigration enforcement over legalization schemes for illegal aliens as the recent Rasmussen poll showed. And especially now with over 10 million Americans out of work and over 500,000 losing their jobs every month, it would be politically foolish and incredibly insensitive of Obama to push \"comprehensive immigration reform\" (a/k/a amnesty)! If he does, it would make the \"gays in the military\" fiasco that Clinton suffered early in his term look like child\'s play.
The answer remains: enforce existing immigration laws and NO form of any \"pathway to citizenship\" amnesty!
Larry on Jan 05, 2009 at 18:45:59 said:
To Millie: There is already an avenue for foreigners to contribute economically, socially, and in other ways here in the United States. It is called LEGAL immigration. It is absolutely crazy to suggest rewarding foreigners for violating our laws. Would you advocate rewarding American citizens for violating our laws? Illegal alien lawbreakers need to be deported, not rewarded.
li on Jan 05, 2009 at 18:36:46 said:
immigration will do a great deal...look at all these illegals that cant travel to see thier loved ones they are taking care of....Airlines would make a killing coz pple will travel a lot even the economy pple will buy stuff to take home when they travel....
Brittanicus on Jan 05, 2009 at 17:52:12 said:
With massive unemployment their should be a moratorium on ALL IMMIGRATION, until this nation become solvent again. How can we stick more taxes on hurting citizens and resident, as at the same time giving free government handouts to illegal aliens?
Just like California and other Sanctuary States that are illegal alien refuge, If their politicians fail to recognize the costs of health care, education and other state government benefits, untold numbers will pour into their communities. As more and more states enact rigid employer sanction laws, they are going to pour into any state that will financially sustain their families. More and more county police departments throughout the United States, are being trained under the 247(g) federal enforcement act to arrest and detain people who cannot prove their immigration status. California has been overwhelmed and suffering the hundreds of thousands of foreign nationals from other states, whose elected officials have finally realized the tremendous financial burden.
With $47.billion budget deficit, California's governor begged along with others for a financial bailout, because of the billions of dollars involved in state welfare programs. According to the Tucson Border patrol Union, the number of illegal aliens squatting here is 37 million--not 13 million the liberal press, likes you to think. All taxpayers who are concerned with political corruption, radical open border entities, imported terrorism, gang growth, sham laws, immigrant slavery, illegal immigration, sanctuary states and cities, taxpayer costs and the special interest lobbyists should join the growing ranks of www.judicialwatch.org/
This legal watchdog group uses the power of the courts, to fight back against the propagating corruption in our society. THEIR FIGHT IS YOUR FIGHT!
Doug McCain on Jan 05, 2009 at 17:41:18 said:
THE AMERICAN PEOPLE HAVE SPOKEN!
Last year when the open border advocates tried to shove another AMNESTY down our throats
WE THE PEOPLE fought back and we will fight back once again!
The American people are now even more angry!!
If Obama signs an amnesty Americans I believe will revolt!
Rex123 on Jan 05, 2009 at 17:25:40 said:
What a bunch of trash!
Immigration was not a topic during the campaign because a.) both candidates were on the same side, and b.) it was the WRONG side!
So, now that Obama has been elected IN SPITE of his immigration stance (not because of it), he "must" act to defy the will of most Americans and provide amnesty (which is what a "path to citizenship" really is) to illegal immigrants???
Unfortunate and inhuman immigration enforcement policy??? It is wrong for the United States to enforce its (very humane) immigration laws?
Why isn't there a wall between Canada and the US? Because Canada isn't a Third World country from which its citizens are so eager to flee!
Because the majority of Hispanics (a whopping 15% of residents yet only 9% of voters in this past election) supported Obama, he now "owes" them an amnesty???
Pro-amnesty advocates like the morons cited in this article are only digging their own graves. Rather than making illogical and unsubstantiated demands for actions most Americans don't want, perhaps they should be encouraging immigrants to obey the law and assimilate!!!
This article is so full of garbage that it makes me sick!!!
jo on Jan 05, 2009 at 17:21:38 said:
this is all crap! illegal means not suposed to be here. why is there ANY discussion beyond this. second of all i believe in my president until he drops the ball!!thirdly in his speechs i hear AMERICAN, AMERICAN AMERICAN...nothing ends with alien or mexican, it has been my experience that the only thing that mexicans care about is mexico and mexicans. lastly, you are just, paranoid if you belive canada,mexico and the united states will ever be one. face it people are different and cultures are different...realize that and you will realize borders save lives. come one come all to our one wonderful country...but come legally and realize this is our culture not yours. we make the best of it when we visit your country. oh yea, those jobs those are our jobs.we are in a son to be depression. like in world war 2 you have to go.
john p on Jan 05, 2009 at 16:32:18 said:
it is time to let these mostly hard working people a second chance to make things right! great recommendation.
Bren Macintyre on Jan 05, 2009 at 15:58:39 said:
GET INVOLVED NOW!! We must stop all/any attempts at amnesty!!
The illegal invaders and their supporters plan on storming Washington the day after Obama takes office, to DEMAND rights/benefits that they are not entitled to.
If the 20+ million illegals are given amnesty, they will then be able to bring in millions more of their family members through chain migration. Then, think of the number of kids that they will have on US soil.
Then, with their increased numbers, they will take over our politics/elections---giving themselves more and more rights/benefits in OUR country!! If you think that the politicians were pandering for the Hispanic vote---just wait until there are at least 30 million more of them!!!
Our kids/grandkids will have no choice but to take up arms at some point, as there will be no other way for them to protect their citizenship rights and opportunities!!!
What is going to be left for you?? Your kids?? Your grandkids??
Join thousands of US citizens by joining these sites/forums NOW!!
www.numbersusa.com
www.minutemanhq.com
www.americanpatrol.com
www.saveourstate.org
============================
If you do nothing else.............Please join the numbersusa site above-------So that ALL Americans can be ready to stop any of our treasonous polticians in Washington if they try to reward these illegal invaders in any way for breaking our laws by ILLEGALLY entering our country and remaining here!!!
American Me on Jan 05, 2009 at 15:31:31 said:
This Jorge guy is a rabid reconquista, and a big time propagandist... It`s so ridiculous when these open border loons say that just by enforcing our immigration laws (which 80% or more American citizens want) it`s unfortunate and inhumane... It would be politicial suicide for Obama and the Dems to even attempt to ram another amnesty down the throats of the American people.
HernandezUSA on Jan 05, 2009 at 15:27:39 said:
Lets Humane to Americans Citizens and their families regardless of their RACE.
"We need the SAVE ACT and E-verify used for every business and to be sure illegals stay out of the job market to save American jobs.
E-verify does not discriminate against RACE, Religion, SEX or physically capability only your Citizenship and your LEGAL right to be and work in United States.
If we can stop Predatory business owners from hiring then the Illegal Aliens will not Stay and return to their native Countries.
This ISSUE is not about RACE, but ALL Governments Federal/State/LOCAL not doing their jobs, because big and small business owners want cheap workers and no labor laws to bother with.
Its called GREED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Both Liberals and Conservatives need to take some pride in our Country and protect it from all invading nations citizens and corporate greed. Please, NO IMMIGRANT BASHING or HATE Crimes.
HATE only feeds the single RACE agenda groups for Open Borders and the Liberal Media"
mh on Jan 05, 2009 at 14:57:21 said:
Immigration was but on the back burner during the elections because 75 % of the American people would not stand for an Amnesty candidate! McCain and Obama didn’t want to deal with the reality that Americans wanted their border protected and our immigrations laws enforced!
June on Jan 05, 2009 at 14:33:26 said:
When did wanting the laws of our country enforced become \"inhumane?\" This outrageous sense of entitlement Hispanics seem to have must stop. Do they allow people to sneak into their countries? No, indeed not. I guess it\'s okay for anyone but the US to have laws. Illegal aliens need to be deported. If not, they should face prison time. All funding and diplomatic relations should be cut of to the nations who encourage their citizens to break our laws. This has gone past insanity. Our country can no longer sustain people from parasitic naitons who demand the US take care of their people.
Ray Carney on Jan 05, 2009 at 14:21:15 said:
What is so "inhumaine" about our immigration laws? You apply, wait to be accepted than your admitted. We do have laws regarding this issue, sometimes the sign reads " no room at the inn". I don't complain about legal immigrants, welcome, it's the border hoppers that bother me. As for the "back of the line", no such thing since they are here already. Illegal aliens are drining the more than generous American people, gimmie, gimmie does not work today. I am sure you don't cut in line at a Britany Spears concert, don't cut in line here. If your nation or origin has problems, go to Mexico City and stage a "junta", that is what we did in 1775 with tea, the rest is history.
nativessayno on Jan 05, 2009 at 13:52:39 said:
Your story would be correct if you were holding only one, say, the open border (Latino) point of view exclusively.
What about the citizens that want their causes put as a priority instead? You know the ones?....Yep, the ones that don't want to pay and pay and don't want the illegals to make policy for us....The ones that did NOT want "immigration reform"?
How is it that Bush was so against Open Border policy? He tacitly and openly permitted this debacle that we have today....he all but set up a race track into our sovereign borders while also doing a super small fraction of a percentage of detaining and deporting. Oops, he tried to pass 2 bill supporting open immigration and meanwhile this "club" of new worker frauds and their support contingent grew by tens of millions!
Let's get this straight. Illegal immigrant's DO NOT make our immigration policy for us no matter how manipulative their arguments....NUNCA, NADIA!
The true urgent issues are:
*Citizens
*Our economy, hombres!
********Go home and ask Calderon to solve our own actual problems. Geez!
Millie on Jan 05, 2009 at 13:14:44 said:
Immigrants can do a lot for this Country if given the opportunity, not only economically which we need very much right now but also socially, providing social work and volunteering for a better life in America.
-->Fine them, make them volunteer, ask them to learn English. I am sure they will be willing to pay any price; just, help them get out of the shadows.