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Immigration Reform Realities
by John M. Curtis
(310) 204-8700
Copyright March 26, 2006
All Rights Reserved.
 Tidal wave-sized demonstrations hit Los Angeles March 25, where an estimated 500,000 marchers signaled that Latinos have become the irresistible force hitting an immovable object. As Congress begins to debate immigration reform, there's more than political implications driving U.S. border policy. To those xenophobic sleepwalkers, they haven't caught up with the inescapable reality that illegal immigration is a stubborn fact of a post-Cold War era. No amount of punitive measures or congressional action can stop the northbound migration of Latinos seeking jobs and a better way of life. Bashing illegal immigrants, promising to build 700 more miles of border protection and threatening stiffer criminal penalties won't reverse the northbound exodus to the promised land. U.S. authorities must stop political posturing and accept today's unmistakable reality.
Threatening to install civilian militias, deploying more border patrols or stationing troops on the border won't stop Latinos from migrating northward, known as “El Norte.” Recognizing this reality, President George W. Bush advocates a guest-workers' program where some 10-20 million undocumented aliens would be granted legal work status. Latinos already comprise 15% of the U.S. population, growing by leaps-and-bounds. “”Si se puede” or “Yes we can,” chanted white-shirted demonstrators, protesting the effort by U.S. lawmakers to turn immigration into this year's political football. Five-hundred thousand demonstrators send a loud signal to both parties that hard-working immigrants have influence on political process. Criminalizing illegal immigration will only make matters worse by overloading a criminal justice system already stretched to the breaking point.
There's no turning back from the U.S. dependence on cheap foreign labor, readily accommodated by Latino workers. American businesses can't return to the halcyon days where white high school dropouts bused tables and washed dishes. “There's never been this kind of mobilization in the immigrant community ever,” said Josh Hoyt, executive director of the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights,” marveling at the size and scope of nationwide demonstrations, especially in Los Angeles. When the Senate Judiciary Committee debates immigration reform, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz), a likely 2008 presidential candidate, and Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.) will introduce legislation for a guest workers program that includes provisions for permanent legal residency. Republicans and Democrats worry about a backlash against politicians advocating tough new laws.
President George W. Bush has already sided with a liberal immigration policy, favoring a permissive guest-workers program, supported by Mexican President Vicente Fox. Fortunately for Bush, he doesn't have to run for reelection, causing concerns among conservative GOP candidates facing a possible backlash at the polls this fall for supporting liberal immigration reform. “We cannot criminalize people who are working, people who are contributing to our economy and contributing to our nation,” said LA Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, a rising star in the Democratic Party. He knows that it's fruitless to punish Latino immigrants, illegal or not, when current labor trends can't be stopped. Ranting about current immigration trends is like protesting bad weather in Antarctica. Unlike the old days, the U.S. continues to expand its population primarily by immigration from Latin America.
Threatening to take tough new immigration legislation to the floor of the Senate, Sen. Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.), a likely 2008 presidential candidate, appeals to social and religious conservatives for whom recent polls show strong opposition to immigration reform. “Now the Republicans in Congress better beware: If they come across as too shrill, with a racist tone, all of sudden your going to see Republicans in cities with a high Latino population start losing their seats,” said GOP political consultant Alan Hoffenblum, concerned that xenophobic immigration reform may trigger a voter backlash against Republicans. Most congressional districts are already gerrymandered to favor incumbents' reelection. While certain Latino groups, like South Florida's Cuban population, vote Republican, mainly for the GOP's tough stance against Castro, most Latino groups vote Democratic.
Immigration reform promises to be a lightening rod heading into November's midyear elections. Like Social Security, the Congress would be better off shelving controversial issues until after Election Day. With the White House hemorrhaging over Iraq, the GOP doesn't need more bad news heading into November. Aside from the political fallout, the GOP, or Democrats for that matter, face an uphill battle creating criminal penalties for employers hiring undocumented workers. “The Korean community is shocked and outraged over this inhumane legislation,” said Dae Jong Yoon, executive director of Los Angeles-based Korean Resource Center, opposed to the expected legislation reform. Not only is tough immigration reform politically incorrect, it's incompatible with current border policy and U.S. businesses capitalizing on the availability of cheap labor.
About the Author
John M. Curtis writes politically neutral commentary analyzing spin in national and global news. He's editor of OnlineColumnist.com and author of Dodging The Bullet and Operation Charisma.
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