Obama would boost the initiative this year
Mario Cordero
mcordero@lahora.com.gt
link: http://www.lahora.com.gt/notas.php?key=46107&fch=2009-03-20
To read about the upcoming reforms please see More:
Emma Hervert lives in the United States and is now 18 years old. She has no problems with her immigration status because she was born there (in the US) and her dad is American. However, her mom does have problems.
Emma said that problems arose last January, when police arrived at her home in Irving, Illinois, arguing that they had outstanding warrants. It seemed strange because she claimed no one had trouble with the law and thus let them pass.
Upon entering, they identified themselves as immigration agents and took their eye off of Emma and her brother Jackson in 7 years and took their mother. The problem was that their mother was married to an American, but was divorced before she could be legalized, and thus became undocumented.
"Since then, every time we see her at a hearing we think will it be the last time we see her? We need her very much. My brother has asthma and I am epileptic. She is the one who always brings us to the doctor ... If they cast her off, It will rip my heart open, it is going to kill me," Emma said, referring to his mother's situation in Guatemala.
This is just one of thousands of cases they face daily of undocumented Guatemalans in the United States. In the absence of a policy to regularize immigration, illegal aliens can not be legalized and risk being deported at any time.
Immigration Reform
For nearly ten years in the United States has been talking about immigration reform, to solve the huge problem faced by the undocumented. Since the arrival of former President George W. Bush raised the possibility of a plan that would cover the situation, but he never was in favor of it and during his presidential term.
In previous U.S. elections, the Democratic Party heavily promoted among its campaign promises, the creation of an immigration reform that would among other things, the possibility that undocumented immigrants who are not in additional problems and can pay a fine eligible for citizenship.
This week, President Barack Obama gave a pleasant surprise when referring that this year will not pass without the submission of an immigration reform proposal to the U.S. Congress.
"The President talked about how the administration will work with Hispanic Members to address the concerns of immigration in both the short and long term," the White House said in a statement by his spokesman, Robert Gibbs.
Obama said that the issue will be discussed in his meeting with President Felipe Calderón in Mexico next month. Moreover, in April Obama will also meet with the Latin American presidents in Guatemala where the government hopes to contribute to the proposals.
Fernando Barillas, spokesman of President Alvaro Colom said he sees the announcement of Obama as the anti-immigrant policies were too harsh and also hope to initiate dialogue for immigration reform, which will benefit thousands of chapines are living without documents in the United States.
"And to see if (the government) Guatemala puts on its batteries ("se pone las pilas" this means to get going fast) and wag our tails or we will miss in this effort. It's now or never, "says Villaseñor July, migrant leader of Los Angeles.
In this regard, the main migrant organizations in the United States have already begun to prepare for work with the Government and representatives to Congress for these proposals. "We are committed to working with the government and leaders in the House and Senate to make sure that the President's campaign promise on immigration reform a reality this year," said La Raza, one of the largest organizations of migrants.
A LEGISLATIVE ACTION
"The President repeated and reiterated their commitment to a clear and unequivocal manner, had every intention of doing so (submit reform) this year," said Luis Gutierrez, Democrat of Illinois, and deputy defense causes of migrants.
Gutiérrez: These statements were made at a public event organized by Congressman Gutierrez last Saturday, which supported the immigration reform in 17 cities through acts of the American Union.
In Oak Cliff, where the legislators participated, over a thousand people came to support.
"We must address the issue of immigration reform, it is not just because we are trying to help, first, the people not to lose their homes, so you do not lose your job or your pension, but otherwise not to use force of the government to remove these people from their homes ... sending agents, destroying families and deporting those families, "said Gutierrez.
According to Julio Villaseñor, a Guatemalan immigrant in Los Angeles and president of International SOS Immigration, "not only the Congressional Hispanic people are talking about immigration reform. Democratic Senator Reed, a representative for Nevada, said a few days ago to expect the Senate by September to determine a proposed immigration law that is working. "
Besides these, other politicians also support immigration reform, as Congressman Eddie Bernice Johnson of Dallas, New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez and Nydia Velasquez, Member of New York.
When?
Following this announcement, migrants in the United States, especially Guatemalans, are preparing to submit their proposals and collaborate.
According to the aforementioned Julio Villaseñor, in June or July might be a good time to learn that the Senate proposal, so that in November, and legislation has a list that can be sent to President Obama for approval.
On that date also coincides Fernando Muñoz, president of Movement of Guatemalan Immigrants (Migua), who believes that for Thanksgiving Day, the last Thursday of November, one might think that the reform is approved.
EXPECTATIONS
Before the announcement, the question arises: what can we expect with the Immigration Reform? According to Julio Villaseñor, SOS International Immigration, expect that with this law "at least be allowed to legalize those who have entered the United States 5 years ago and have no felonies on your criminal record, plus they can receive their residency without having to leave the US to do so. "
Even Villasenor could be expected to legalize even those who had received a deportation order, maybe doing a short process in courts.
"I asked what should be included. Well, basically, leading to US citizenship (for migrants), which benefits reuniting families ... in a word that is fair and comprehensive for all, "outlines Fernando Muñoz of Migua.
However, there is another more pressing point, and to stop the persecution of migrants, in terms Edgar Ayala, California migrant leader also Migua and member of the National Alliance of Latin American and Caribbean Communities (Nalacc, in English).
"We want Obama ordered a halt to deportations and raids, and had a fair trial to all immigrants who are detained in the raids product. A review of contracts from the federal government and the private prison system that handles the detention centers for immigrants without papers, "says Ayala
"I want to thank you for having come to fight for what we believe and seek to continue to do so because our immigration system is not functioning effectively. This is something we have been trying to years to resolve and we can not give up. They have to keep trying again and again until a change is achieved. "
Eddie Bernice Johnson
Member of Dallas "As in the case of health reform, Obama will convene a public forum in probably two months to discuss the proposals on how to legalize undocumented migrants and how to solidify the immigration system."
Bob Menendez
Senator from New Jersey. "Only I can tell you that the Chairman pointed out that it was a man of his word. We believe that we will move forward this year."
Nydia Velázquez
Member of New York and head of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus
TRAVEL
Two draft immigration reform failed in Congress in 2006 and 2007, living in a country where some 12 million undocumented, most of them Hispanic.
Last week at a public event in California, the president Barack Obama defended the need for immigration reform "integral" without an "instant amnesty" for illegal immigrants, but giving them a path to a path to citizenship after fulfilling several requirements.
The president said that the border should be strengthened, but also committing themselves to "employers who are exploiting undocumented workers."
The White House confirmed that Obama will travel to Mexico next month, just before the V Summit of the Americas from 17 to 19 April in Trinidad and Tobago.
Obama voted in 2007 as a senator in favor of immigration reform. When he participated in the elections, that was one of its main themes that attracted the Hispanic community.
Political analysts warn that one should not miss the bells on the fly. Although the Democrats control the White House and have a majority in Congress, his priority is to repair the economy, said in interviews previas.12
There are millions of undocumented immigrants in the U.S.
PROPOSED MINIMUM POINTS:
There are points that migrant groups have reached consensus on the petitions to immigration reform. Everyone agrees that the current immigration laws are outdated and do not work. The adoption in 1996 of the Act for the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility (IIRIRA, for short), expanded and institutionalized a system hard against immigrants and restricting immigration. This law stemmed from the notion that immigrants today are a threat to the country. Should be abolished or at least deeply reform the legal framework established by IIRIRA. It is therefore necessary as a minimum:
1. The immediate suspension of all raids on work sites and housing.
2. Giving a legal way for people already living in the United States without immigration authorization.
3. Accelerate the process of obtaining permanent residence of all persons who have requested it.
4. Create a National Integration Program for Immigrants.
5. Dismantle the wall on the southern border of the United States and restore civil rights in border communities.
6. The programs of humanitarian protection for refugees and asylum seekers should be strengthened.
7. Evaluate the creation of a guest worker program, to connect workers available outside the United States, with jobs available.
8. Substantially raise the social and economic life in the migrant-generating countries.
9. Change the policies of trade and development that the United States has promoted in Latin America
Posted by Marie at March 21, 2009 06:20 AM