1/30/2013
The President’s original reform proposal focused on four points. A pathway to citizenship solution for the 11 million undocumented immigrants currently living in our country which is a priority that needs to resolved. Securing or improving border security, which has always been a sticking point for the GOP. A complete overhaul of the confusing outdated legal immigration system, that is currently in place. Finally, a better verification process, made easier for employers to verify the status of workers.
The Washington Post Editorial in the January 30th edition summarized the President’s strategy. “The president has offered a useful road-map – even tighter border security; tougher requirements for employers to verify applicants’ immigration status; and a pathway to citizenship – that closely mirrors the bipartisan accord taking shape in the Senate. The real test will be whether lawmakers can nail down the details of a bill that recognizes the reality that 11 million undocumented immigrants are here to stay, as well as the nation’s ongoing need for new immigrants who bring energy, drive and talent to our shores.”
In his speech in Las Vegas, the President laid out his basic belief that the time for immigration reform is now. “I’m here because most Americans agree that it’s time to fix a system that’s been broken for way too long. I’m here because business leaders, faith leaders, labor leaders, law enforcement, and leaders from both parties are coming together to say now is the time to find a better way to welcome the striving, hopeful immigrants who still see America as the Land of Opportunity. Now is the time to do this so we can strengthen our economy and strengthen our country’s future.”
With both political parties very much aware of the growing strength of the Latino demographics, and the increase in electoral potential, it is also clear the Republican Party understands it must work to recruit a larger percentage of the Latino vote to their party. Many pundits have made it clear, change the mean spirited rhetoric or be prepared to lose the Latino vote…again.
THINK PROGRESS | Center for American Progress has shown the dilemma facing the GOP. “Latino voters comprised 9.5 percent of the electorate in 2008 and a full 11 percent in 2012. These shifting demographics—especially in key swing states such as Nevada, Colorado, Florida, and Virginia—mean that how each party talks about immigration will only be more important in the future.” With President Obama receiving 71% of the Latino vote, the work for the GOP is certainly daunting.
The polls reflect the change in attitude since the Presidential Election last November and by the bipartisan group of Republican and Democratic Senators – referred to as the “Gang of Eight” who have submitted a plan for immigration reform this year. The plan has four basic principles that will guide the Senators in providing detailed and specific proposals for the bill.
Four Basic Legislative Pillars:
1. “Create a tough but fair path to citizenship for unauthorized immigrants currently living in the United States that is contingent upon securing our borders and tracking whether legal immigrants have left the country when required;
2. Reform our legal immigration system to better recognize the importance of characteristics that will help build the American economy and strengthen American families;
3. Create an effective employment verification system that will prevent identity theft and end the hiring of future unauthorized workers; and,
4. Establish an improved process for admitting future workers to serve our nation’s workforce needs, while simultaneously protecting all workers.”
Ali Noorani, Executive Director of the National Immigration Forum responding to the President’s speech in Las Vegas expressed the hope and faith that this is truly the right time to move forward on reform, as it seems the political will is growing stronger with each new endorsement for reform. Noorani while expressing his strong support for passage of a reform bill was also realistic about the work it is going to entail.
“The bipartisan support surrounding immigration reform is unlike nearly any other issue facing Congress because people who hold a Bible, wear a badge or own a business want a commonsense immigration system. In addition, today’s debate on immigration is fundamentally different from previous reform efforts for exactly the same reason.
These ‘Bibles, Badges and Business’ leaders have worked together over the past two years to forge a new consensus on immigrants and America. Thanks to their leadership in the Mountain West, Midwest and Southeast, and in Washington, D.C., today’s framework is an articulation of that bipartisan consensus.
From the leadership of the Evangelical Immigration Table to the vision of the Utah Compact to conservative voices speaking publicly for reform, momentum is on our side.
What lies ahead will not be easy, and compromise will be necessary. But leaders in both parties are clearly ready to do their jobs and create an immigration process that serves the needs of all Americans.”
Two strong Latino faith advocates who have fought for immigration reform and who have met with the President several times over the past four years expressing the urgent need for reform joined other faith leaders in sending letters to the President and the leadership in the House and Senate.
The letter asked that the first 92 days of the President Obama’s second term be the deadline for immigration reform.
“We are driven by a moral obligation rooted deeply in our faith to address the needs of immigrants in our country. Compassionate and just treatment of immigrants is a frequent topic in scripture. The Hebrew word for immigrants “ger,” occurs 92 times throughout the Bible.
The letters call for balanced immigration reform that respects the God-given dignity of every person, guarantees secure national borders, protects the unity of the immediate family, ensures fairness to taxpayers and respects the rule of law, but also establishes a path toward status and/or citizenship for those who qualify and who wish to become permanent residents.
Hispanic Evangelicals are convinced that our nation can do immigration reform because we are a nation that knows how to work through its most contentious issues. It is the just and moral thing to do. Inaction is not an option. Immigration reform now!”
One of the Latino faith leaders, Rev. Samuel Rodriguez, President, National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference, who signed the letter, spoke of his reaction after listening to the President present his immigration reform speech in Las Vegas.
“I was present as President Obama laid out a comprehensive solution to America's immigration crisis. His presentation serves as a reconciliatory prescription to a nation torn apart by this debate. I commend him for his courage and call upon all the followers of Christ to pray for our president and Congress as together we marry conviction with compassion.”
Rev. Gabriel Salguero, President, National Latino Evangelical Coalition, who also signed the letter to the President and leaders in the House and Senate, reacted to the Las Vegas speech with a strong expectation for reform now.
“Hispanic Evangelicals are convinced that our nation can do immigration reform because we are a nation that knows how to work through its most contentious issues. It is the just and moral thing to do. Inaction is not an option. Immigration reform now!”
Reviewing the last election, Gary Segura, Ph. D of the polling firm Latino Decisions, stated in a statistical evaluation of the 2012 election, The Political Calculus of Immigration Reform: What Republicans and Democrats Stand to Gain or Lose in the Upcoming Debate, “Latino net contribution to Obama was a 5.4% margin. For the first time in US history, Latino vote can plausibly claim to be nationally decisive.”
As the political process begins in Washington, D.C., together with our allies we must keep the pressure on the Congress to move forward quickly so the momentum we have for immigration reform will not be wasted. This is the time for all of us to work together, understanding that there will be issues on both side of the aisle, but also agreeing that the common good outweighs the individual effort to prevent reform from going forward.
U. S. Representative Luis V. Gutierrez (D-Ill) has laid out a strategy for passage of immigration reform. “We are on track to pass a bipartisan bill this year that legalizes millions of immigrants, keeps families together, strengthens our country, and eventually allows immigrants to apply for citizenship. All of the pieces are falling into place. We have not signed on the dotted line and some important details are yet to be resolved, but what we have now is momentum. Momentum, plus encouragement from the American people, the President, and immigrant and Latino communities, will get an immigration bill across the finish line this year.”
After so many disappointments over the years, being aware of how undocumented immigrants have had to live in the shadows of our society. Individuals with so much talent and ability to share with other Americans to reflect the justice and righteousness we enjoy.
Now, that we can finally visualize on the horizon, immigration reform in the Promised Land, we must continue to believe “Now is the Time! we realize the necessity of fixing our immigration nightmare.
“For too long our communities have lived in fear as immigrant families have been torn apart through unnecessary harsh enforcement policies. The immigration problems we face as a nation are complex and difficult.” (Bishop Minerva Carcaño, Episcopal leader of the Los Angeles area and co-chair of the United Methodist Interagency Task Force on Immigration)
Continue to pray for progress and for the day when we will no longer stand idle while families are torn apart and deported and when undocumented immigrants will no longer have to live in fear and in the shadows.
By Fidel
“Butch” Montoya
President Barrack Obama in his Las Vegas speech once again raised our hope he would work with the Congress on a final resolution to immigration reform. The President laid out an immigration reform blueprint that he unveiled in El Paso, Texas last year. The President’s proposal was not as detailed as in the El Paso speech, but he made it clear he will wait on Congress to work out the details, and if the plan bogs down in Congress, he will send his own Bill on immigration reform to the Congress.
The President’s original reform proposal focused on four points. A pathway to citizenship solution for the 11 million undocumented immigrants currently living in our country which is a priority that needs to resolved. Securing or improving border security, which has always been a sticking point for the GOP. A complete overhaul of the confusing outdated legal immigration system, that is currently in place. Finally, a better verification process, made easier for employers to verify the status of workers.
The Washington Post Editorial in the January 30th edition summarized the President’s strategy. “The president has offered a useful road-map – even tighter border security; tougher requirements for employers to verify applicants’ immigration status; and a pathway to citizenship – that closely mirrors the bipartisan accord taking shape in the Senate. The real test will be whether lawmakers can nail down the details of a bill that recognizes the reality that 11 million undocumented immigrants are here to stay, as well as the nation’s ongoing need for new immigrants who bring energy, drive and talent to our shores.”
In his speech in Las Vegas, the President laid out his basic belief that the time for immigration reform is now. “I’m here because most Americans agree that it’s time to fix a system that’s been broken for way too long. I’m here because business leaders, faith leaders, labor leaders, law enforcement, and leaders from both parties are coming together to say now is the time to find a better way to welcome the striving, hopeful immigrants who still see America as the Land of Opportunity. Now is the time to do this so we can strengthen our economy and strengthen our country’s future.”
With both political parties very much aware of the growing strength of the Latino demographics, and the increase in electoral potential, it is also clear the Republican Party understands it must work to recruit a larger percentage of the Latino vote to their party. Many pundits have made it clear, change the mean spirited rhetoric or be prepared to lose the Latino vote…again.
THINK PROGRESS | Center for American Progress has shown the dilemma facing the GOP. “Latino voters comprised 9.5 percent of the electorate in 2008 and a full 11 percent in 2012. These shifting demographics—especially in key swing states such as Nevada, Colorado, Florida, and Virginia—mean that how each party talks about immigration will only be more important in the future.” With President Obama receiving 71% of the Latino vote, the work for the GOP is certainly daunting.
The polls reflect the change in attitude since the Presidential Election last November and by the bipartisan group of Republican and Democratic Senators – referred to as the “Gang of Eight” who have submitted a plan for immigration reform this year. The plan has four basic principles that will guide the Senators in providing detailed and specific proposals for the bill.
Four Basic Legislative Pillars:
1. “Create a tough but fair path to citizenship for unauthorized immigrants currently living in the United States that is contingent upon securing our borders and tracking whether legal immigrants have left the country when required;
2. Reform our legal immigration system to better recognize the importance of characteristics that will help build the American economy and strengthen American families;
3. Create an effective employment verification system that will prevent identity theft and end the hiring of future unauthorized workers; and,
4. Establish an improved process for admitting future workers to serve our nation’s workforce needs, while simultaneously protecting all workers.”
Ali Noorani, Executive Director of the National Immigration Forum responding to the President’s speech in Las Vegas expressed the hope and faith that this is truly the right time to move forward on reform, as it seems the political will is growing stronger with each new endorsement for reform. Noorani while expressing his strong support for passage of a reform bill was also realistic about the work it is going to entail.
“The bipartisan support surrounding immigration reform is unlike nearly any other issue facing Congress because people who hold a Bible, wear a badge or own a business want a commonsense immigration system. In addition, today’s debate on immigration is fundamentally different from previous reform efforts for exactly the same reason.
These ‘Bibles, Badges and Business’ leaders have worked together over the past two years to forge a new consensus on immigrants and America. Thanks to their leadership in the Mountain West, Midwest and Southeast, and in Washington, D.C., today’s framework is an articulation of that bipartisan consensus.
From the leadership of the Evangelical Immigration Table to the vision of the Utah Compact to conservative voices speaking publicly for reform, momentum is on our side.
What lies ahead will not be easy, and compromise will be necessary. But leaders in both parties are clearly ready to do their jobs and create an immigration process that serves the needs of all Americans.”
Two strong Latino faith advocates who have fought for immigration reform and who have met with the President several times over the past four years expressing the urgent need for reform joined other faith leaders in sending letters to the President and the leadership in the House and Senate.
The letter asked that the first 92 days of the President Obama’s second term be the deadline for immigration reform.
“We are driven by a moral obligation rooted deeply in our faith to address the needs of immigrants in our country. Compassionate and just treatment of immigrants is a frequent topic in scripture. The Hebrew word for immigrants “ger,” occurs 92 times throughout the Bible.
The letters call for balanced immigration reform that respects the God-given dignity of every person, guarantees secure national borders, protects the unity of the immediate family, ensures fairness to taxpayers and respects the rule of law, but also establishes a path toward status and/or citizenship for those who qualify and who wish to become permanent residents.
Hispanic Evangelicals are convinced that our nation can do immigration reform because we are a nation that knows how to work through its most contentious issues. It is the just and moral thing to do. Inaction is not an option. Immigration reform now!”
One of the Latino faith leaders, Rev. Samuel Rodriguez, President, National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference, who signed the letter, spoke of his reaction after listening to the President present his immigration reform speech in Las Vegas.
“I was present as President Obama laid out a comprehensive solution to America's immigration crisis. His presentation serves as a reconciliatory prescription to a nation torn apart by this debate. I commend him for his courage and call upon all the followers of Christ to pray for our president and Congress as together we marry conviction with compassion.”
Rev. Gabriel Salguero, President, National Latino Evangelical Coalition, who also signed the letter to the President and leaders in the House and Senate, reacted to the Las Vegas speech with a strong expectation for reform now.
“Hispanic Evangelicals are convinced that our nation can do immigration reform because we are a nation that knows how to work through its most contentious issues. It is the just and moral thing to do. Inaction is not an option. Immigration reform now!”
As the political process begins in Washington, D.C., together with our allies we must keep the pressure on the Congress to move forward quickly so the momentum we have for immigration reform will not be wasted. This is the time for all of us to work together, understanding that there will be issues on both side of the aisle, but also agreeing that the common good outweighs the individual effort to prevent reform from going forward.
U. S. Representative Luis V. Gutierrez (D-Ill) has laid out a strategy for passage of immigration reform. “We are on track to pass a bipartisan bill this year that legalizes millions of immigrants, keeps families together, strengthens our country, and eventually allows immigrants to apply for citizenship. All of the pieces are falling into place. We have not signed on the dotted line and some important details are yet to be resolved, but what we have now is momentum. Momentum, plus encouragement from the American people, the President, and immigrant and Latino communities, will get an immigration bill across the finish line this year.”
After so many disappointments over the years, being aware of how undocumented immigrants have had to live in the shadows of our society. Individuals with so much talent and ability to share with other Americans to reflect the justice and righteousness we enjoy.
Now, that we can finally visualize on the horizon, immigration reform in the Promised Land, we must continue to believe “Now is the Time! we realize the necessity of fixing our immigration nightmare.
“For too long our communities have lived in fear as immigrant families have been torn apart through unnecessary harsh enforcement policies. The immigration problems we face as a nation are complex and difficult.” (Bishop Minerva Carcaño, Episcopal leader of the Los Angeles area and co-chair of the United Methodist Interagency Task Force on Immigration)
Continue to pray for progress and for the day when we will no longer stand idle while families are torn apart and deported and when undocumented immigrants will no longer have to live in fear and in the shadows.
