Thread: The Democrats' dilemma over immigration NAVARRETTE

The Democrats' dilemma over immigration

By Ruben Navarrette
2:00 a.m. May 10, 2009

Democrats are in a tough spot on immigration reform.

Actually, make that a number of tough spots.

For one thing, they're caught between pandering to Latino constituents who want them to strike a deal that legalizes millions of illegal immigrants and catering to organized labor, which adamantly opposes the one element of reform Republicans say must be part of the deal: guest workers.

For another, now that Democrats control Congress and the White House, they've run out of excuses as to why they're doing nothing. But at the same time, they'd rather not do anything because as long as there is a stalemate, they can use the issue against Republicans.

After all, there are two ways to get ahead in politics: Make yourself look good or make your opponent look bad. The immigration debate – and the xenophobic language that some Republicans have carelessly infused into it – helps Democrats look good to their Latino constituents. But the spell is wearing off now that Latinos are beginning to wonder why Democrats can't deliver immigration reform even when they have power. Answer: Because not all of them want to deliver.

It's hard to know in which camp falls Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York, who recently called a hearing of a Senate subcommittee to explore the feasibility of achieving – or even discussing – immigration reform in the midst of an economic recession. One of the high points was the testimony of former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan, who spelled out what most economists won't say: “Illegal immigration has made a significant contribution to the growth of our economy.â€

Not least of all, the reformers need to take advantage of a powerful yet underutilized weapon: personal empathy.

Unless they're a supreme court candidate, there's no empathy for any of them.

[quote]Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan, who spelled out what most economists won't say: “Illegal immigration has made a significant contribution to the growth of our economy.â€

Not all Latinos as the American Latino citizens are among the most negatively impacted by illegals. Those Latinos who support amnesty are those who have benefited because they have illegal relatives, employees and customers.

Not least of all, the reformers need to take advantage of a powerful yet underutilized weapon: personal empathy.

This hand-picked committee needs to hear personal distress from citizens who have experienced deaths and injuries of their loved ones caused by illegal aliens.

It needs to hear from the millions of American workers who have lost their jobs and wiped out their companies due to illegal alien hires.

It needs to hear from community leaders who have been financially overwhelmed by the upkeep costs for the illegal population with its dependents.

IT NEEDS TO HAVE REAL PERSONAL EMPATHY FOR THE AMERICAN CITIZEN. AFTER ALL, THESE COMMITTEE MEMBERS SHOULD REPRESENT CITIZENS, NOT THE ILLEGAL ALIEN COMMUNITY.