On Immigration Reform

Type "immigration reform" into any search engine and, you inevitably get to images that show children and adults of Hispanic origin protesting with signs in English and Spanish. Furthermore, in most political analyses of the issue, individuals usually discuss the importance of the Latino vote.

However, immigration reform is not just an issue to be used a political football in the game to win the Latino vote. Men and women are being detained and deported while the nation debates the issue.

I am not suggesting that the President should create policy unilaterally through executive order. Congress should work to create legislation, in coordination with the White House, to help resolve the immigration issue. The problem is that Congress has failed to act on the issue since the beginning of President Obama's second term.

The Republican party is now in control of Congress. They have the opportunity to pass immigration reform. This would not be a watershed moment. An idol of the Republican party, Ronald Reagan, spearheaded efforts to resolve immigration issues during his presidency that provided legal status to approximately three million immigrants who were in the country illegally.

On the same token the current President can help move the process along. However, using, or threatening to use, executive orders is not the way to coax Congress into action. Attempting to create policy without their involvement only antagonizes them further. Congressman Boehner, the Republican leader of the House is now saying that he will fight  President Obama on immigration, "tooth and nail." Moreover, the Republicans in Congress have the option to use the "power of the purse," their ability to control the budget of the government, which allows them to stall progress on a variety of issues by potentially shutting down the government. Considering that the government was shut down recently due to political brinkmanship, the possibility of this happening again is not that remote.  

We have had the ability to deal with the issue. The solution involves a combination of strong border control and, a path to legal status for those undocumented immigrants (who have not committed any crimes once inside the United States) that are already in the United States, particularly families.

I think that most Americans would agree (regardless of their political leanings) that we need to secure our borders. Not just to hinder individuals who are trying to cross illegally in search of opportunity but, also to prevent those who are intent on causing harm to Americans. More importantly this needs to be part of any immigration reform in order to gain Republican support.

Additionally, the package on immigration reform has to provide a path to legal status. Simply catching and deporting people is not going to resolve this issue. Furthermore, we should not be kicking out individuals and families who come to our country to work hard and create a better life. Those who do not have a legal status work for salaries, but do not receive many government benefits which are only provided to those workers who have legal status. Yet, they continue to work. The undocumented workers should be given a chance to earn a legal status.

Ultimately, you can always argue that coming to United States illegally should lead to deportation. However, in the United States we believe in giving people a second chance, a new start. Our country was founded by people looking for a new start, and we should give those who come to United States to work hard and raise a family, the same opportunity (even if they do not have legal status). As Sheldon Adelson, major Republican campaign contributor and Chairman of the Las Vegas Sands, once said in support of immigration reform, "Democrats don't have a monopoly on having hearts." To the Republican majority in Congress - have a heart - pass immigration reform. Helping those in need is the American way.