On the one hand, we have to consider that he has his plate fairly filled as it is, without throwing immigration issues into the mix. Among other things, he can list the infamous health care dilemma, and "energy and financial regulation." These are both taking up huge amounts of time, not to mention all the little, unnecessary things he's getting involved in, such as the arrest of Harvard professor Henry Gates.
But on the other hand, we really need these changes soon. Though the health care issue is important, it's beginning to drag out. What if the debate lasts longer than expected, and President Obama is forced to set back the immigration laws again? If he gets into the habit of pushing things back now, it could turn into a big problem. From what he's telling us, these laws would mean "strong border security and an orderly process for people to come in," as well as making the "pathway to citizenship" more open. The United States could definitely do with a decrease on illegal immigrants; overall all these policies would do nothing but help.
Perhaps Obama could do something to balance his different assignments, or just somehow move the immigration laws further up on the list. Unless the things he's already working on start moving forward, this new decision to push the immigration law passage into 2010 may only move Obama backwards.
Resource: The New York Times
3 comments:
In the article titled “But is it right? From the blog “If You Ask Me”. The discussion is on Obama’s plan to put off deciding the immigration law until 2010. Immigration has always been and will most likely be a very touchy subject to everyone that lives in the US and is a US citizen. But look back before our four fathers were even here, they too were immigrants to the US.
The Indians had this land before us and we came in a claimed this land for our own. Don’t get me wrong I love the US and being a US citizen for my 39 years on this earth has been wonderful. But, the immigrants that are migrating to the US are looking for the same thing that our great-great-great grandparents were looking for, and that is freedom!
And in saying all of that, I do believe that there have been a lot of immigrants in this country that are here illegally. All that we ask is that you become a citizen and pay taxes like we do. I was born here so I’m grandfathered in. But I would take the test to become a citizen if it came to that.
According to the CNN.com article “Could you pass the new citizenship test?” The Government says, “The new test has more concept-based civics, history questions. But Immigrant advocates say, “Changes may strain stretched-thin civics programs.” They are changing questions from "How many stars are there on our flag?" and "Name the amendments that guarantee or address voting rights." To such questions like: "There are four amendments to the Constitution about who can vote. Describe one of them," and "What is one responsibility that is only for United States citizens?"
Seems easy for me being that I have lived here all my life took History and Government classes in school. But for someone that does not speak English or has not lived here these might seem like scary questions. But if the roles were reversed, how many questions could you get on a Citizenship test if you wanted to become the citizen of Mexico?
In the blog If You Ask Me a recent post "But Is it Right" addresses the recent decision by President Obama to push back immigration reform for another year. While I agree that there is a lot on the table right now the issue of immigration needs to be addressed. I agree with the author that putting this off again could lead to big problems with national security among other huge issues. Illegal aliens are helping drain our resources and there is talk of passing legislation that will let them draw social security. This is wrong on many levels. I am not against immigration but I do believe everyone should have to follow the rules of citizenship and pay their share. The suggestion that President Obama find a way to balance the pressing issues that are on today's agenda is perhaps the only way of getting the problem solved rather than putting it on the side. I share the author's fears of immigration being pushed back over and over and becoming a bigger problem without resolve. Part of the problem with immigration as well as health care is that it has been put to the side for years and not dealt with. These issues have blown up into critical problems and the time to act is now.
The last major legislation passed regarding immigration on a national scale was in 1996. With the economy, health care reform (which mind you affects everyone, not just immigrants), possible withdrawal from Iraq, and many other hot topics; one can only imagine the pressure our President faces. The last law passed limiting the number of immigrants was in 1990. On that note, my colleague’s article But Is It Right? suggests that Obama’s announcement to push back immigration legislation was a bad move.
However, I disagree. If Obama chooses to address general topics such as the economy and health care reform first, I believe it is in the best interest of the nation. Not only this, but the President has encouraged Homeland Security Secretary Napolitano to meet with lawmakers to hammer out the issues with immigration reform. Therefore in truth, immigration reform isn’t on hold, or pushed back. Instead the President is taking a logical approach, attempting to avoid a partisan standstill in the House and Senate. If the legislature is able to form a reform bill by the end of this year, and the bill is presented in 2010 with a viable chance of success, then the President has done better than those in the past thirteen years. If Obama encouraged a bill now without taking precautions, it has been said that “another failed effort could doom chances for a generation.”
This being said, immigration reform has not come to a halt. It is moving forward at the proper pace, making success plausible. The President has proven he is able to multitask, encouraging others to take the lead when he cannot. In this way, immigration reform will not continue to move backwards, but push through the legislature without the struggle of partisanship and full-on resistance.
Post a Comment