Immigration Reform, Now

The new Arizona law on immigration can be seen as a reaction to legitimate concerns arising out of violence and potential violence at the border. At the same time it can also provide the impetus needed for the country to move to meaningful, comprehensive immigration reform. Hopefully, it will indeed serve as an opportunity to address an issue that we have failed to address for far too long. We know that the drug cartels have created a dangerous situation in the area, including the shooting of Americans for no apparent reason. Fear and violence is the order of the day. The border needs to be protected.

Yet, to most students or even casual observers of the constitution this new law seems draconian, an over reaction, and quite frankly unamerican. The situation has served to energize people to move at times in opposite directions. On the one hand, It seems that we are ready to have the authorities stop us with the notorious demand, 'papers, please'. In fact, polls suggest that a majority of Americans favor the Arizona law which at the same time has sparked outrage, demonstrations, talks of boycotts, and even a response from the Phoenix Suns and the National Basketball Association. Once again it seems that the country is split down the middle in what ought to be the appropriate response to this new immigration crisis.

Many are already making vociferous protest. San Francisco has officially decided that no city officials will do business in Arizona. Many others have adjusted travel plans to avoid the state. Is econmoic boycott the answer? It seemed to work when the state refused to adopt Martin Luther King day as a holiday in the state. Even cities in Arizona are boycotting the law, so there is clearly no unanimity even within the state of Arizona. We have seen thousands upon thousands of Latinos and others take to the streets in protest. The Catholic Church has been unyielding in its opposition.

Legal avenues for attacking the constitutionality of this law are also being explored. Some lawsuits have already been filed and the justice department is looking into appropriate federal action. For one thing immigration appears to clearly be a federal issue and not one to be delegated to the states. One possible avenue would be for the government to file a friend of the court brief together with an already proceeding lawsuit. These avenues will play out over time, but the continued and ever growing polarization on this issue demands action now.

It's not as if this is a new issue. The problem has been festering for decades. The last real attempt under President Bush and with the strong backing of Senator John McCain, failed because of overheated rhetoric and commentators like Lou Dobbs. Lou Dobbs is gone but the rhetoric is heating up again. How do we have a reasonable conversation about immigration? Do people want to solve the problem or do they want to use the issue to play partisan politics? How do we get away from the rhetoric and get something done? If the bill is brought up will we be faced with the outcries we had when Geoge Bush and John McCain tried to pass a bill? Or is it possible that we actually have a window of opportunity where something positive could happen?

Is it possible that despite the cacaphony of voices, we may not be as far apart on the goal as it may seem. We actually have a pretty good idea of what needs to be done. The bill that Senators Leiberman, Kerry, and Graham have been working on pretty much contains all the elements needed to resolve this issue once and for all. These elements include securing the borders, some kind of card that could be used to gain employment, a guest worker program, and a reasonable path to citizenship. The problem is we can't get the job done. Too many other issues need attention, such as financial reform and the energy bill. Besides, the fall elections are coming up and no one wants to address the issue now. It is politically a bad idea for both democrats and republicans. Should that really matter? The Arizona law and its fallout reflect the need. Something must be done. Isn't that why we send our representatives to congress? Courage and leadership are the only ingredients that are lacking at this time. Where will they come from?

I believe in compromise, but I also believe in results. If you are doing your job and lose it as a result of your efforts, so be it. The problem has existed long enough and it has now come to a head. I expect my representatives to go to work and resolve the problem before we have more laws like the one in Arizona, more demonstrations, riots, increased polarization, and violence. Now is the time. We have waited too long. America is waiting. The time to act is now. The American people hired this congress to solve problems. This one needs solving, and it needs solving now.