Thread: AZ-BS-Immigration reform can happen this session

Guest Opinion
Immigration reform can happen this session
By U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords
Special to the Arizona Daily Star
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 07.17.2008
There is a saying in the West that the best way out of a difficulty is through it. Congress is running out of time to move immigration legislation before members leave Capitol Hill to hit the campaign trail. Yes, this is a hard problem, but it's time to stop talking and start acting.
Politicians like to talk. There have been many congressional hearings over the last 18 months on practically every aspect of our nation's immigration crisis. We have heard hours of testimony on immigration issues ranging from employee verification, to border security, visa backlogs and the extraordinary burdens placed on border states like Arizona. But so far, it has been all hat and no cattle. Not one serious bill has emerged.
The stakes are too high for us to go home without trying to pass necessary changes to our immigration laws.
Emotions run high on the immigration debate — it has become heated and ugly. But that is no excuse for inaction.
Congressional leadership, both in the House and Senate, must recognize the far-reaching consequences of doing nothing. Congress must be courageous, step into the fire of diverse opinions, and get the job done.
Like all Americans, Southern Arizonans expect their elected officials to tackle the tough issues, not just the easy ones.
Here along the border we are not scared of the complex problems and competing viewpoints involved in our nation's immigration crisis. We do not sit on the fence wringing our hands.
For example, when the Border Patrol started talking about a permanent checkpoint on Interstate 19, we pulled together as a community. Many in the Green Valley and Tubac communities opposed the specific Border Patrol plan, yet everyone agreed on the need to stop the massive flow of drugs, migrants, guns and violence.
After months of sometimes raucous meetings, we reached a reasonable compromise on the design, location and footprint of the checkpoint. Not everyone liked the results, but the majority did. That's how our democracy should work.
In Southern Arizona we are:
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First we need to order all who have entered our country illegally to return to their country of origin. If they leave voluntarily within 12 months, they will be allowed to APPLY for a guest worker program. The guest worker program must have some way of monitoring and insuring that "guest" workers leave when required.

I'm afraid of this right now . Since obama gave his speech to la raza the other day . I've recieved over 30 replys from different obama video from
latinos . All telling me "Wait till obama gets in office etc etc ,you may fill in the etc's . These latinos aren't going any where . They feel they own our country Now cause of obama . They will fight , Americans will not . They know we are sheep ! This is the real latino message . Do not disregard this in your thoughts .