Thread: OPINION: The expert in the shadows

http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/news/opinion/16747429.htm

Posted on Wed, Feb. 21, 2007

The expert in the shadows

By Richard J. Gonzales
Special to the Star-Telegram

The undocumented immigrant stood outside the hall at the Fort Worth Intermodal Transportation Center where about 100 people had listened to local experts speak about immigration's impact on Tarrant County.

He had hopped a train from the state of Guerrero, Mexico, and made his way to the center on his trek to Chicago. His small stature, worn cap, jacket and pants would have made him inconspicuous if it weren't for his plea for money to buy food.

All that was missing from an informative immigration forum hosted by the League of Women Voters of Tarrant County on Feb. 8 were the subjects of much debate: the immigrants themselves.

If only someone had thought to invite migrants to the forum to explain their quest for jobs in the north. Although the hungry migrant wasn't billed on the forum's flier, and his resume might not have compared to those of other speakers, his presence would have added flesh to the facts presented. He was the missing expert in the shadows.

The migrant's voice might have outraged some in the audience who kept insisting that laws have been broken -- case closed. A few called out their views and left early when they didn't like what they heard. But the immigration issue wasn't that simple to the three panelists and the fourth standing in the hall.

Bernard Weinstein, director of the Center for Economic Development and Research at the University of North Texas, held the floor. Fort Worth school district Trustee Juan Rangel and Gary Sweeney, Fort Worth office director for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's fair housing enforcement program, shared their views on the impact of immigrants on Tarrant County.

But Weinstein's command of the rapidly changing demographics, his assessment on the state's and country's labor needs, and his views on immigration reform drew most of the attention.

Weinstein recalled traveling two years ago through Nogales, Ariz., into Mexico. His interest in the North American Free Trade Agreement took him frequently to the border. He said that the barbed-wire barricades, the 10- to 30-foot fences, reminded him of the Berlin Wall."If I were a Mexican national, I would be absolutely offended. We have this economic union, but it's not being accompanied by a migration or human resource policy that accommodates the reality of this North American marketplace," he said.

He claims that immigration has been one of the key economic drivers in this country's economic history and that this is probably more true today than ever before. According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor, Weinstein said, in 1996-2003, people born outside the state filled 60 percent of Texas' job growth.

In the face of a restrictive immigration policy, he foresees a labor shortage.

"Sure, the country has to control its border, but at the same time, the country must recognize its need for immigrants. We need immigrants with high- and low-skill levels. We need immigrant labor to keep the economy growing," he said.

Weinstein favors President Bush's guest-worker/road-to-citizenship immigration reform proposal.

He attributes some of the resistance to sensible reform to post-9-11 xenophobia. The world seemed to become more dangerous after the Twin Towers attack.

Some citizens allow their fear of the hungry immigrant in the hall to overwhelm their good sense. They fear the tipping point where mass Mexican immigration becomes the rule of law. With a Democrat-controlled Congress, citizens may face the reality that once-illegal immigrants may become their legal equals.

Another reality that citizens must confront: the state's growing demographic changes.

Weinstein said that Texas Anglos became the minority in 2005 in a state of 23 million people. In Tarrant County, the Latino population is growing faster than the black and Anglo population. By 2040, it's estimated, Tarrant County will have 3.5 million residents, and 2.3 million will be Latinos. The LWV calculates that 100,000 illegal immigrants are living in Tarrant County today.

Most baby boomers will live long enough to see the dramatic changes. But Generations X, Y and Z will feel the Latinization surge's full impact on society and the economy.

The LWV and Weinstein ask us to set aside the immigrant boogeyman and face the fact that sensible immigration reform helps the economy. It's time to invite the illegal immigrant into the hall.


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Richard J. Gonzales of Arlington is a freelance writer. Rgonz37034@aol.com

We have this economic union, but it's not being accompanied by a migration or human resource policy that accommodates the reality of this North American marketplace," he said.

What economic union and what exactly is a North American marketplace?!?!?!?!

This NAU stuff is really too much to bear.

I hope TYRANT was there and can bring us a more up close and personal accounting of this travesty.

Some citizens allow their fear of the hungry immigrant in the hall to overwhelm their good sense. They fear the tipping point where mass Mexican immigration becomes the rule of law. With a Democrat-controlled Congress, citizens may face the reality that once-illegal immigrants may become their legal equals.

My good sense....???? I'll give ya some good sense, "that once-illegal immigrants may become their legal equals." Good Sense - Illegal (them), Legal (me) does not and never will be equal. Yeah, that makes sense!

As far as the hungry illegal alien that "hopped" the train, assuming the train runs both ways, give him a sandwich, put him back on the train and send him home. That covers two things, humane to feed the hungry and law abiding because illegal immigration is against the LAW!

an illegal is an expert? Give America a break. Illegals are illegals and are not expects. It is really bad when our media considers people who enter our country illegally have any knowledge on what is right for Americans.

Originally Posted by Beckyal

an illegal is an expert? Give America a break. Illegals are illegals and are not expects. It is really bad when our media considers people who enter our country illegally have any knowledge on what is right for Americans.

I don't know, BECK.......when you think about it........ILLEGALS are definitely more EXPERT on being ILLEGAL & breaking the RULE OF LAW than law abiding Americans who are in the majority.

Sooooooo, I guess they really are EXPERT in one category.