The following is an item that appeared in the press yesterday. Please note that there just might be some major legislative development in the area of Immigration Reform before the end of this semester. The skeptic in me says that October 13 is a date that will come and go without hearing from Rep. Gutierrez. Time will tell :-)
"At a gathering in Washington this week, long-time immigration reform advocate Congressman Luis Gutierrez announced that he would soon introduce a comprehensive immigration reform bill in the House. This marker bill is likely to have something for everyone in it, combining the DREAM Act, family reunification, a legalization program, and even smart-enforcement components. He gave the self-imposed deadline of October 13 for the framework to be ready and it couldn’t come sooner.
The lack of immigration reform continues to plague the administration at every turn, and plays a role in every major legislative battle the administration has fought since the inauguration. It came up in the stimulus bill and is now making a command appearance in the health care reform debate."
I don't have very much faith that the public can handle a discussion about immigration policy right now, or anytime before October 13rd. I feel badly saying it, but having watched this Health Care debauchle unfold has been excruciatingly painful and I don't think I can handle anymore. At the same time, I agree with the article, where it states that the "lack of immigration reform continues to plague the administration." In this downward spiraling society that many have hacked up to "this economy," it has proved convenient to blame the "them" in every circumstance. It has been easier to say that our pension plans have gone to the migrant workers and that our financial aid is going anyone who can prove that they speak English as a second language. It is easy for us to blame others when times are tough, and until we seed out what the policies will be towards immigration, we are going to continue to bring up the topic in every other argument.
ReplyDeleteThe whole healthcare debate is inevitable. 307 million people cannot all be satisfied with one decision. As Olivia said, it is very easy to pass the blame and guilt on to others who receive benefits. The Obama administration has many issues to tackle before a decision on healthcare can be concluded such as immigration and education. Hopefully the administration will listen to the public and do what is best for the majority of Americans.
ReplyDeleteIt is true that immigration plays a large role in each obstacle that America is facing right now. Since immigrants play a large role in our economy, society and history it is hard to say that they will not have influence in each aspect of our society. However to assume that we cannot begin to solve any ills facing America until we tackle the "immigration problem" seems drastic. Woman make up half of our population therefore play a large role in every aspect of American society. However we do not end debate on topics such as stablizing the economy because woman are still discriminated against in the workplace. We have to recognize that as a problem and something that needs to be addressed and then continue to create solutions instead of saying "if only woman had not demanded equal pay, we wouldn't be in this financial crisis." Immigrants play a crucila part in each of the topics facing this administration because immigrants play a crucial part in our society and the fabric of America. We need to refrain from blaming them for our ills, as Olivia and Amanda stated and involve them in the solution process.- VINNIE
ReplyDeleteI believe that at this point a legislation developing in support of legal and illegal immigrants will most likely not happen or will be very difficult to pass. It is sad, but the truth. During the debate Obama had to make it clear and assert that nothing in his plan will support "illegals". Also some of congress is against the support of illegal immigrants because in order to make Obama look bad (or look like he was supporting illegal immigrants), a congressmen even stood up and called him a lier. So since that occured in order to make Obama look like his plan would help "illegals", which could potentially weaken support for his plan, I am in high disbelief that this legislation will be developing anytime near october 13 because of the bad air surrounding this topic.
ReplyDeleteI definitely believe a comprehensive immigration reform must come, especially right now. Unfortunately, I must agree with the comment above me by pc74982p, I do not believe the American public will side with anything in immigrants favor due to the economy. As we have all seen in the healthcare debates Obama had to promise and spell out for the public that illegals will not benefit from this plan. It can def. be argued and there is evidence that immigration issues touch every single aspect of our society so it would be nice to find a plan that can allow both immigrants and naturally born citizens benefit from and I definitely do not believe this is impossible. I hope the economy's hard times and debt does not affect these plans, however, I feel it will because it is so easy to place blame on the illegals about this. -Adriana.
ReplyDeleteIt seems that whenever there is a national issue, immigration always is tied into it. Instead of placing the blame within the faulty healthcare system, we make the illegal immigrants out to be our scape goat. Im not educated enough in illegal immigration healthcare statistics to have an exact opinion about our policy. However I do feel as though illegal immigrants are unjustly blamed for many social and economic issues in society. Congressman Guitierra should hasten up this process for passing this act, and not keep setting dates and making plans. I think that the time to act is now, and that delaying will only cause further hardship for those without healthcare.
ReplyDeleteAs sad and almost frightening as it is to say, I do not see the economic crisis or healthcare issues being resolved any time in the near future. October 13 is an unrealistic date for Congressman Guitierra to give. The immigrant debate has been going on for what seems like forever now and it is near impossible to say that in less than a month from now there will be a welcomed solution. Tempers run high in this country when it comes to any discussion on immigration and healthcare, and will continue to run high. This is no where near an easy situation to fix. Yes, something does need to be done, but it cannot be something rushed or done hastily. All areas of the situation need to be addressed, discussed, and debated before legislation can be passed. The worst thing our country could do right now is pass "bad" legislation.
ReplyDeleteAll that I pretty much have to say is that today is Oct. 13 and NOTHING has happened. shocking? I think not! One other thing that bugs me is why is Obama being the only one being blamed for all the immigration problems? Immigration issues did not start in November... they've been going on for the past however many years and as far as i've heard, Bush, Clinton and other presidents did not have as many fingers being pointed at them, and they were not criticized as much as obama is. I do feel bad for the poor man, but thats what you get for being president! - Justyna sokol
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