Immigration Clearinghouse

Susana Gutierrez holds a Mexican and American flag during an immigration march. "I'm here because we need immigration reform immediately," Ibarra said, wearing handcuffs and chains. "We need to be able to travel and be free." (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

It’s been a good week for those of us who have been working hard for immigration reform. Lou Dobb’s, the poster boy for mexenophobia in America, got the boot from CNN, and Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano made a welcome speech at the Center for American Progress yesterday, in which she declared in no uncertain terms that the administration was intent on pursuing comprehensive immigration reform in early 2010.

And today, supporters of ALIPAC and Willy Gheen take to the streets in small numbers to protest our efforts. We’ve seen the hateful rhetoric they will be using. Rhetoric which has garnered the attention and approval of such groups as the Neo-Nazi based STORMFRONT, and David Duke, former Grand Dragon of the KKK. ALIPAC and others are not out there to offer constructive debate on the issue, only to derail any efforts our President makes to solve the problems facing this nation. Once again, they will fail.

We’ve had our victories in the march towards immigration reform. The DHS rewriting the 287(g) program which reigned in some authorities who used the program to violate the civil and human rights of targeted groups of people. And while it still exists, it exists mostly in the jails, where it was intended to be utilized from the beginning, to identify and deport, the criminal element among the migrant community. Some opposed it totally, but it is now clear what the DHS was up to. Laying the groundwork for common sense immigration reform.

Congress can now take up immigration reform because the administration has made significant progress in tightening the borders and cracking down on employers who hire illegal workers.

The chances are better than ever for Immigration Reform

Unlike previous efforts, Democratic majorities in Congress are bigger than they were in 2007.

The pro-reform forces are better organized this time around. Our coalition is actually expanding. Many of the supporters from last time—business, labor, law enforcement, faith organizations—are still on board.

But there are new ones as well, including the National Association of Evangelicals and religious conservatives like Mathew Staver of Liberty University.

Republican opposition won’t be monolithic, as it has been during the health-care debate. Senators like John McCain and Lindsey Graham would likely support the administration’s effort. GOP leaders are worried about alienating Hispanic voters, who have more electoral clout, and less sympathy for Republicans, than ever. And while the anti’s rant and rave to the elected officials about how they will kick them out in 2010 if they don’t follow their nativist, protectionist demands, it workd both ways. Our side can also has a voice at the voting both, and it is increasingly apparent that the majority of good day to day Americans, the silent majority, want to see this issue resolved without further separating the country.

More parties jump on the Pro-Migrant bandwagon

As we reported earlier this week, actor Chuck Norris offered his suggestions for immigration reform, a move that surprised many of us, given that he has allowed himself to be exploited by the extremist conspiracy site World Net Daily. But he is but one of the growing trend of the movement to our side of the argument. (It is interesting to note, that after we published the piece, ALIPAC, who had been a supporter of Norris, immediately label him a traitor and suggested he should be “investigated”)

Also, a coalition of labor groups, business groups, immigrant advocates, church organizations and law-enforcement officials has launched another campaign. Called Reform Immigration for America, its aim is to pressure Congress to pass a broad immigration-reform bill that includes a legalization program for illegal immigrants.

Ali Noorani, executive director of the National Immigration Forum, a pro-immigration group in Washington, D.C., said given the state of the economy, a legalization program will continue to be the most contentious part of immigration reform.

Noorani said the jobs that illegal immigrants perform have a multiplier effect that helps drive the economy and create more jobs for Americans.

“If you don’t have someone to pick the oranges, then you don’t need someone to pack the orange or deliver the orange or sell the orange,” Noorani said during a meeting Friday with Arizona Republic reporters and Editorial Board members.

Legalizing illegal immigrants would also increase tax revenues since employers now often pay the workers in cash, he said.

The comprehensive immigration bill the coalition is pushing will be based on four principles: humane border and interior enforcement of immigration laws, family reunification, a temporary-worker program and a legalization program, one that requires undocumented immigrants to pay fines and learn English in exchange for a chance at becoming citizens.

With well informed debate such as that offered by the pro migrant forces, Comprehensive Immigration Reform will become a reality, in spite of the hateful rhetoric used by those who oppose it.