Now that the health care issue has been resolved, the question that many immigrants (legal and illegal) are asking is—will there be immigration reform.
At a time of economic crisis, and political gridlock in Washington, many politicians would just rather put this off for later. But the immigration community has waited long enough. Several years of misery for immigrants need to end. Billions of dollars were spent hunting and arresting illegal immigrants. Raids on worksite and homes have become far too frequent. Detention centers are crowded. Many people are detained without enough regard for capacity, resources, humanitarian concerns or due process. US citizens are sometimes accidentally caught in the process. Immigrant detainees have died in poorly run jails with no medical care, children have been separated from their parents, hard-working and otherwise innocent individuals have been criminally prosecuted, and massive detention operations have precipitated a crisis in jails across the country. Only a practical and humane immigration reform can offer realistic solution to this complex issue.
The hope is for President Obama to find common ground. Can we enforce immigration law and at the same time respect the rights of the individual? Can we make detention safer and more civil? Can we realize that there is room for change that makes immigration laws and policies work for everyone? Spending billions on enforcement does not appear to halt the waves of immigrants coming to the US (legal or illegal). Can we develop a strategy or a new direction that will restore integrity to our immigration system, ensure that basic rights are respected, and promote transparency and accountability?
A comprehensive reform will insure that families remain intact. We need to protect our family units in the United States. We can no longer afford to tear families apart because of hostile immigration laws. President Obama can now deliver on his promise to protect our borders and uphold human dignity.
It’s time to address the realities of global migration and the root causes of why so many risk death to come here. We need to be pragmatic and open to new ideas about immigration. The issue of immigration needs to be thoroughly debated just like the health care issue. It should not be viewed as politically inconvenient. Too many lives depend on this. It’s time to put pressure on our congressional representatives. We cannot afford to let this opportunity pass. We can be a nation of laws and at the same time safeguard our values. Everyone must join this process. After all you can be a Jew, you can be a Christian or you can be a Muslim and you can still be an immigrant.
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Lazaro Law Group, Professional Corporation represents immigrants all over the United States and US Embassy in Manila. The firm’s offices are located in San Francisco, Makati City (Philippines), and Fremont, Union City California. Telephone (415)278-9577. E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; Website: www.LazaroLaw.com.
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This article should not be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. The information is intended to be general and should not be relied upon for any specific situation. This is not meant to create a lawyer-client relationship.
( Published March 31, 2010 in Asian Journal Northern California p. B4 )
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