A
time for action
Recently, Republican leadership in
the U. S. House of Representatives released a document titled “Standards for Immigration Reform”
outlining a set of principles to guide their negotiations on the issue in 2014.
Included in their framework are familiar
ideas such as securing the nation’s border to the south, implementation of an
entry-exit visa tracking system, employment verification and workforce
enforcement of the law, a special plan for addressing the status of under aged
youth brought to the United States by parents and a requirement that
undocumented residents be willing to “come forward” and honestly address their
current status. A requirement embedded in
the GOP plan would be the admission of a violation of the law by the undocumented,
submission to rigorous background checks, the payment of fines and any back
taxes, development of proficiency in both English and U. S. civics and the
ability to support their families.
Finally the “Standards” state, “Criminal aliens, gang members, and sex
offenders and those who do not meet the . . . requirements will not be eligible
for this program. In addition, none of this can happen before specific
enforcement triggers have been implemented to fulfill our promise to the
American people that from hereon, our immigration laws will indeed be
enforced.”
This clear statement of the Republican
position provided encouragement to those of us who have been working hard and
clamoring frequently for Congress to take action to define, reform and pass
comprehensive immigration reform that will benefit millions of our undocumented
neighbors by providing them legal status and the protection and opportunity
that they so richly deserve but presently do not enjoy.
Protection is essential because
currently many of my undocumented friends work, study and serve without assurances
provided by law or regulation. As a
result, workers are forced to live with the exploitation of unscrupulous
employers who take advantage of their immigration status to underpay or, in
some cases, to not pay for work performed.
Furthermore, in many of the most demanding work settings safety, human
resources standards and fair labor practices are not simply neglected; they are
largely ignored or completely dismissed.
Dedicated, hardworking students complete
degrees at our universities with absolutely no pathway to full employment. Individuals and families are forced to live
in what amounts to an underground society defined by limitations and the very
real fear of deportation and separation from loved ones.
I understand the fears of parents well
thanks to the fact that for several years I’ve worked with a family whose son
was deported to Mexico, even though he was brought to the United States as a
very young child with no knowledge of immigration law. Jose, now sent away to a village in central
Mexico, knows nothing but his experience and self-understanding as an
American.
A
city like Dallas would be hard pressed to function without the presence and labor
of the undocumented, like Jose’s father.
Comprehensive reform would bring everyone into the light of day. The overall local economy would benefit. Our schools would improve dramatically, as
now documented parents felt more confident in engaging with public
schools. Law enforcement, labor
relations, business development, home ownership, community strength and
enhanced social stability would improve the quality of life for us all in virtually
every neighborhood in town.
Beyond the clear economic return to
Dallas as a result of immigration reform, we need relief from the injustice and
immorality of the current state of affairs that weighs on our city’s
self-understanding, as well as its vision for a bright future. No city aspiring to become a world-class
community built on fundamental democratic ideals, the power and beauty of human
diversity and the promise of a people’s innovation can achieve its goals when
so many of its people cannot function as fully vested partners in the
enterprise of hope and justice.
Unfortunately, the Speaker of the U. S.
House of Representatives has now come out to inform us that he will not take up
any effort to enact reform this year.
Claiming that President Obama “cannot be trusted to enforce the law,”
Speaker Boehner has decided no action is the proper approach to this pressing
national problem.
Texas is special. So much of our history, hope and heritage connect
to families south of our boarder. For
generations the real immigrants to Texas, and more particularly to Dallas, have
benefited greatly from this Latino connection.
The time has come, and is long past due, to honor our centuries old
joint heritage. Providing a way for our
hard working, undocumented neighbors to more fully embrace our community, its
opportunity and its promise makes sense for us all. To fail again in addressing this clear and
immediate challenge seems unthinkable. Clearly, it is time for action.
Larry
James
President/CEO
CitySquare
214-303-2116
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