Asian Journal- The Filipino-American Community Newspaper

THE opening salvo has sounded in Congress! The Senate Immigration Subcommittee, with Senator Schumer at the head, held a hearing last week. This was Senator Schumer’s first event as he head of the Subcommittee and it was not a disappointment.

Between the speakers, they covered all the bases in making the case for why Congress can and must pursue immigration reform now. It was a strong statement of commitment and was extremely encouraging. Alan Greenspan began the hearing by making the economic case for immigration reform. This was the right place to begin. Everyone is concerned about the economy. Members of Congress will want their constituents to know that immigration reform will have a beneficial effect on economic recovery. Mr. Greenspan’s testimony will be something senators can point to when they discuss this issue in their home states.

After Mr. Greenspan spoke, Pastor Hunter made a strong moral argument explaining why reform is the right thing to do. Wade Henderson, the executive director of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, spoke eloquently on the civil and human rights implications of our broken immigration system.

Law enforcement was represented by Major Cities Chiefs Association, Montgomery County Police Chief J. Thomas Manger. He was convincing and unequivocal in arguing for the law enforcement and security imperatives for comprehensive reform. Former Commissioner of INS Doris Meissner elaborated further on the economic and security implications of our broken system and offered up a vision for solving those problems.

Representing the employer position on reform was President and CEO of the Greater Houston Partnership Jeff Moseley. He was followed by Eliseo Medina of the Service Employees International Union. Both supported reform. Mr. Medina was particularly compelling in discussing the importance of reform for all workers.

No hearing on immigration reform would be complete without a representative from FAIR. Kris Kobach, who is Of Counsel to FAIR’s legal arm, the Immigration Reform Law Institute, argued for more border enforcement and no amnesties. His testimony did not go unchallenged. Senator Schumer differentiated the previously proposed earned legalization from an amnesty.