“The New Colossus,” a poem by Emma Lazarus written in 1883, rests on the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty and speaks the words of compassion: “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.” The proposed immigration reform policy does not echo these sentiments.
In fact, it sends some strong statements by encouraging undocumented immigrants to leave the country and return in the distant future; paying a fine for being here “illegally”; setting an undefined goal called a “trigger” as a bench mark to determine that our borders are secure; promoting a point system that will result in the separation of families; and utilizing a flawed E-verify system to track legal employment.
However, after my usual analysis to first look at the negatives, I have taken a step back and believe that the proposed legislation is at least pointing in the right direction. Looking back at the lessons from the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, we learned just how long it took for monumental change to occur. From changing deeply entrenched negative public perceptions, building enough political will from legislators, to developing new partnerships to push the agenda forward.
In the case of pushing comprehensive immigration reform forward it may continue to take us on a long and similar journey.
As recent as the 2008 Presidential election, the topic of immigration reform was a non-starter. In fact, President Obama’s administration through the Office of Homeland Security has deported more undocumented immigrants than any other sitting President.
Yet in 2012, it is common knowledge that President Obama’s re-election involved a strong turn out from immigrant communities. Now several poll’s cite the growing support from the public; legislators from both political parties work tirelessly to grab the immigrant vote with Senator Marco Rubio, a Tea Party darling, leading the way; and the recent endorsement from several conservative Evangelicals and business leaders with a strategy to give political cover for conservative legislators who in the past have showed very little political will or prowess to move immigration reform forward.
Many progressive organizations are preparing to weigh in on amendments to the proposed immigration reform legislation. Patricia Diaz, Executive Director of Services, Immigrant Rights & Education Network (SIREN), an immigrant rights collaborative supported by The San Francisco Foundation, described that she will fight to include family reunification, protection of worker’s rights and a roadmap to citizenship for aspiring citizens.
There is a long way to go before we are able to develop and pass a common sense immigration reform bill. My suggestion to the several legislative staff who will draft and redraft language for this historic bill, is to keep in mind the saying on the Statue of Liberty; for its intent of compassion is what makes this country so special. I also offer a suggestion to the rest of us – we must remain patient but vigilant in this journey as the country moves towards a fair and just immigration policy.