Thread: Ruben Navarrette Jr.: Immigrants and their supporters may be

Ruben Navarrette Jr.: Immigrants and their supporters may be taking on too many issues

05/04/2008

SAN DIEGO - A lot of Americans can't get their head around the concept of illegal immigrants demanding civil rights from a country whose laws they've broken. After all, these are people who have - by virtue of not following the rules to get here, live here, work here - chosen to live outside our system. And now they want to come inside, but only to ask for this and demand that, without admitting they did wrong or acknowledging their responsibility to make it right.

First of all, many of those who marched recently in demonstrations - smaller than in previous years - aren't illegal immigrants. They're U.S. citizens and legal residents - including the children of immigrants - who think the immigration debate has been too one-sided. People like Christine Neumann-Ortiz, executive director of Voces de la Frontera, an immigrant rights organization in Milwaukee.

It's good that immigrants and their advocates are expressing themselves, even if marches may not be the best way to do it. For 364 days a year, we have a volatile debate over illegal immigrants. This is one day a year when they talk back - if not directly, then through their actions.

Here's what some of them are saying to me and other members of the media - that what matters most isn't how they got into this country but what they've done with their lives since they arrived. If they've worked hard at jobs Americans won't do, started businesses, paid taxes and raised good kids, then they've earned a shot at legalization and the right to be free of harassment, hatred and hysteria. That's how they see it.

Because immigrants and their supporters put so much emphasis on work, it was predictable that - sooner or later - this movement would morph into a broader crusade for all workers.

In the mega-marches of 2006 - in some cities, hundreds of thousands of people turned out - the demands were simple: a path to legalization for illegal immigrants and the defeat of heavy-handed enforcement legislation in Congress.

This year, the major demands are an end to workplace raids by federal authorities and a commitment from whomever is elected president that he or she will support comprehensive immigration reform in the first 100 days of the new administration.

Immigration reform is essential, but workplace raids are a part of it. We need more deportations to show the country that we're serious about enforcing our laws. This will help generate enough good will so that more Americans will go along with something that now seems out of reach: a conditional path to legalization for millions of illegal immigrants.

The new round of demands also includes, according to Neumann-Ortiz, the liberal boilerplate of "access to health care for all and good jobs." And, oh yes, an end to the war in Iraq.

Oh dear. You can see where this is headed. And it's a dead end. It's understandable that immigration activists would want to reach outside their comfort zone and broaden their base of support, and that they would buddy up with organized labor and the anti-war movement to make that happen.

But it's also a mistake. The conflicting goals will catch up with them. In fact, they already have. The only way to get a comprehensive bill through Congress is with support from Republican moderates who will go along only if the package includes guest workers for their pals in the business community. Organized labor considers that a deal-breaker. It worries that guest workers will hurt American workers, not to mention undermine the unions that represent them.

Those on the far left want legalization but they're not willing to go along with guest workers to get it, while those on the far right want guest workers but not if it means supporting legalization. The extremes never want to negotiate.

So expect nothing to happen in Congress on immigration for a while, no matter who gets elected president. Expect more frustration and more marches. This tradition will continue.

http://www.mercurynews.com/opinion/ci_9149285

So expect nothing to happen in Congress on immigration for a while, no matter who gets elected president. Expect more frustration and more marches. This tradition will continue.

Nothing may not happen in Congress, but you'll see the raids and deportations come to a halt as soon as one of those three get elected President.

Does make a point.....too many issues and demands to make any progress. They want it all and all right now and can't seperate the issues.

Thats why we said build the fence....100% answer? No. But it's an obvious start. Supreme court decision on anchor babies. Then enforce the laws and find out where the weak parts are so enforcement is better and legal immigration runs smoother. Not all are from Mexico and not all got here illegally first but are now because of a broken system. Too many are waiting legally and deserve top priority.

Can't put the cart before the horse. We're arguing about what color to paint the bedroom and we haven't got a house yet. And at the same time arguing about whether the addition is going to be a game room or a nursery. And demanding a public pool for our kids and we don't even know if the neighborhood has one already.

Heck we've had Latinos here since day one....to suddendly turn this into "Latino rights" when there wasn't a problem until illegal immigration is crazy. Legal Latinos have the exact same rights and oppertunities we all have....always have had them.

Answer the anchor baby delema and that lets us know where we stand on another issue. So many of these things need an answer. One answer.....are we abiding by the laws or not. English the official language or not. It's just insanity to have so many different rules and so many different levels of enforcement to address before anything comprehensive can be done.

"butterbean"

And now they want to come inside, but only to ask for this and demand that, without admitting they did wrong or acknowledging their responsibility to make it right.

[b]Here's what some of them are saying to me and other members of the media - that what matters most isn't how they got into this country but what they've done with their lives since they arrived. BULL, try that crap in MEXICO!!


This year, the major demands are an end to workplace raids by federal authorities! So what's their job then? That's why we pay them.

Immigration reform is essential, but workplace raids are a part of it. We need more deportations to show the country that we're serious about enforcing our laws. This will help generate enough good will so that more Americans will go along with something that now seems out of reach: a conditional path to legalization for millions of illegal immigrants. OH, I don't think so!

They want, "access to health care for all and good jobs." And, oh yes, an end to the war in Iraq. Go tell your own country what to do. You are NOTHING but an illegal mouth-piece, with NO rights here in America!


But it's also a mistake. GOOD!


Those on the far left want legalization but they're not willing to go along with guest workers to get it, while those on the far right want guest workers but not if it means supporting legalization. The extremes never want to negotiate. I will pray for this daily, thank you for giving me some hope.....

So expect nothing to happen in Congress on immigration for a while, no matter who gets elected president. Expect more frustration and more marches. This tradition will continue. PROMISE?

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