The advocacy arm of American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) made an interesting observation in its on-line Pulse section:
MYTH: Immigrants who come without documents are jumping the line!
The claim that illegal immigrants are "cutting in line" is blathered on talk radio all of the time. But, the truth is, there is no line for most undocumented immigrants. Before throwing your hands up in frustration and defeat when you hear this myth, consider responding with these quick mythbusting facts!
FACT: There is no “line” for the vast majority of undocumented immigrants. Accusations that immigrants in the U.S. illegally — numbering an estimated 12 million, and representing five to six percent of the U.S. workforce — should simply get in line miss the point: There is no line and the “regular channels” do not include them.
FACT: Approximately 500,000 undocumented immigrants enter the U.S. each year — most coming to work and typically to do so in the service sector — yet there are only 5,000 green cards for unskilled workers. Until there are more legal avenues for employers to hire immigrant workers, illegal immigration will fill the gap and we will not gain the control over immigration that the American people demand.
I am embarrassed but glad to admit that I have often used the "breaking into line" argument despite my very strong pro-immigration commitment.
Not only people looking for work are trapped in the myth. Consider the Mexican national who became a citizen of the United States by marriage to a US citizen. Suppose the new US citizen has an unmarried son or daughter who is a citizen of Mexico, living in Mexico and today files a petition to get an immigration visa for that son or daughter. Do you know where the end of the "line" is for that parent and child? Back in October 1992! According to the January 2009 Visa Bulletin published by the US Department of State, that means US immigration authorities are now making decisions about petitions that were filed in October 1992 - over 17 years ago!
It is sheer hyprocricy to suppport a policy that burdens families in that way and yet claim to be committed to family values. It is time to bring our immigration rules and regulations into line with what we say about the human family, about family values, the worth of the individual, and the dignity of work.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Thursday, December 11, 2008
An extremely diverse population lives in the region around Washington, DC. The same is true of most metropolitan cities. Anywhere you go you see people of different colors, wearing clothing that doesn't come off the racks at Macy's, and speaking languages other than English. These are obviously people who come to our land from other countries. I am always awed by the courage these people show.
They have left everything known and familiar to them and come to a new country, a country where the language and the culture are quite different. For many of them, it has been a very expensive venture. They have given up daily contact with family and friends. In many instances, they have paid substantial amounts of money to get here. And once here, they are faced with an environment that is frequently quite hostile.
Many of these people are simple folk of the land. But they have had the courage, perhaps born of necessity, to venture like Abraham into a land he did not know. At a minimum, all of us can admire the courage. All of us can ask ourselves: Could I have done the same?
Imagine how you might feel in a city like Washington, or Houston, Los Angeles, Chicago or New York if you came straight out of a tiny village in Columbia or Mexico. The money of your home country is no good and you are unfamiliar with American currency. Shop keepers, bus drivers and restaurant servers are impatient because you struggle to express what you want to buy or where you need to go. You don't know what the food is like or where anything is. You are reduced to a sort of infancy, communicating with gestures, nods and simple sounds. You look different and people stare at you. Many treat you with open hostility. Some take advantage of your vulnerability.
Anyone who has traveled abroad will understand how courageous and daring are the people who come here from other countries. Certainly their motives are many and varied. But consider the men who gather at certain intersections or other high-traffic locations. You've seen them standing around looking at the cars that drive by. Maybe one of them has approached you as you filled your car with gas and asked you if you had any work he could do for you. Would you be touched, as I have been, with the realization that the only thing these people want from us is an opportunity to perform honest labor? Not a hand-out, but work!
Perhaps a recognition of the courage seen in these people will change the way we think of them, softening our view and making us more appreciative of them.
They have left everything known and familiar to them and come to a new country, a country where the language and the culture are quite different. For many of them, it has been a very expensive venture. They have given up daily contact with family and friends. In many instances, they have paid substantial amounts of money to get here. And once here, they are faced with an environment that is frequently quite hostile.
Many of these people are simple folk of the land. But they have had the courage, perhaps born of necessity, to venture like Abraham into a land he did not know. At a minimum, all of us can admire the courage. All of us can ask ourselves: Could I have done the same?
Imagine how you might feel in a city like Washington, or Houston, Los Angeles, Chicago or New York if you came straight out of a tiny village in Columbia or Mexico. The money of your home country is no good and you are unfamiliar with American currency. Shop keepers, bus drivers and restaurant servers are impatient because you struggle to express what you want to buy or where you need to go. You don't know what the food is like or where anything is. You are reduced to a sort of infancy, communicating with gestures, nods and simple sounds. You look different and people stare at you. Many treat you with open hostility. Some take advantage of your vulnerability.
Anyone who has traveled abroad will understand how courageous and daring are the people who come here from other countries. Certainly their motives are many and varied. But consider the men who gather at certain intersections or other high-traffic locations. You've seen them standing around looking at the cars that drive by. Maybe one of them has approached you as you filled your car with gas and asked you if you had any work he could do for you. Would you be touched, as I have been, with the realization that the only thing these people want from us is an opportunity to perform honest labor? Not a hand-out, but work!
Perhaps a recognition of the courage seen in these people will change the way we think of them, softening our view and making us more appreciative of them.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Introduction
This is my "toe in the water" posting. Not that there is any hesitation or fear about the undertaking. I am eager to share ideas about the mess our immigration system is in with others who will agree and disagree with me. Wonder what my position is? Hint: I am no fan of Lou "Johnny One Note"Dobbs.
No, I post this brief introduction as just that, an introduction. It's a start of a journey in search of dialogue. My law firm's web site has more about what I am about. Check it out at www.Door2Immigration.com.
No, I post this brief introduction as just that, an introduction. It's a start of a journey in search of dialogue. My law firm's web site has more about what I am about. Check it out at www.Door2Immigration.com.
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