Our immigration system is broken. The uncertainty surrounding this issue threatens our economy. And, without addressing it, we weaken our very way of life.
Whether it’s come to our attention recently because of an influx of kids or the ongoing proliferation of weapons, drugs, and crime entering our country illegally, determining how we handle immigration remains a top national priority.
Today, President Barack Obama is likely to meet with Texas Governor Rick Perry about the thousands of children who have been smuggled into our nation and what we do with them (many who were destined for Virginia until the local community intervened).
But while the national psyche might be fixated on the criminal aspect of immigration, immigration itself is not a dirty word and should not only be associated with “illegal.”
America still remains a great beacon of hope to so many “yearning to be free” and immigration remains the yarn from which we weave the great tapestry of this country.
We have more than 12 million undocumented people living in this country, some already participating in our communities, attending public schools (and doing well), and supporting our economy. We also have people waiting years, if not decades, for the promise of becoming American. These are the people who continue to form the backbone of America.
Unfortunately, with last month’s defeat of Majority Leader Eric Cantor – and the mischaracterizations of why he lost – the possibility that our leadership in Congress will go squishy on immigration reform remains very real.
As Nick Gillespie writes in Reason:
“As Peter Suderman pointed out yesterday, one of the major fauxplanations for House Majority Leader Eric Cantor’s stunning primary loss to David Brat is that Cantor was “soft” on immigration. Exactly what that means is anybody’s guess, given that Cantor wanted a militarized, wall-defended border with Mexico and got a 100 percent rating from the anti-immigration group FAIR.”
Giving Congress excuses is the last thing the American people need to do on an issue that is very real and very present.
Of course, the wrong answer comes, as usual, from the administration: go it alone by executive fiat. Yet even they recognize that the best and most “robust” fix has to come from Congress.
So where does that leave us?
It certainly isn’t with another omnibus, “comprehensive” piece of legislation that we have to “pass it in order to know what’s in it.” Been there, done that.
No, as Judiciary Chairman Bob Goodlatte said – the same Goodlatte who said our current border crisis is caused by the president’s own making – there is room for Congress to “do something.”
“There are some aspects we can work with on a bipartisan basis,” said Goodlatte.
And that’s a good sign. And a sign which the American people – and Virginians – demand.
Harper Polling conducted research June 22-23 and the results were simply overwhelming:
– 89% of Virginians believe the United States immigration system needs fixing
– 84% believe Congress should take some sort of action on the matter.
– 80% feel it is imperative to act on immigration reform this year.
Those are not “bury your head in the sand” numbers. Those are not numbers that say “Do nothing.” Those are numbers that demand action.
And it’s not as if there aren’t ideas to “do something” on. Just a few ideas include:
– Secure our borders and prevent illegal immigration through tougher enforcement and better use of technology;
– Expand visas for high-skill workers and farm workers,
– Attract and retain holders of H-1B visas, which are given to highly skilled workers in fields such as science, technology and engineering, rather than have them wait for green cards;
– Develop and require use of a secure system for employers to verify employment eligibility, such as E-verify;
– Implement an effective system for locating people who overstay their visas;
– Provide visas to live and work here legally to undocumented immigrants without a criminal record, who pay penalties and back taxes.
It’s not rocket science. It’s not amnesty. And all that is required is political will.
The supporters of the Partnership for a New American Economy include a vast array of Americans, regardless of ideology, who know that we cannot – and must not – allow this issue to fall off the table.
Whether it’s Rand Paul and Grover Norquist, the CEO’s of Microsoft, Disney, and Marriott, or Michael Bloomberg and Michael Nutter – they know that the time to act is now.
And even our friends here in Virginia – Chris Stearns and Waverly Woods – both as solidly conservative as anyone in the commonwealth – have both correctly stated that immigration reform is not something we can ignore.
“We expect our leaders to find solutions to the many problems facing America,” said Stearns who said that we need “principles that will secure our borders, enforce our laws and complement the many Americans who are already participating in our free market economy.”
And Woods added that “While America is home to many different cultures, we are one nation of laws made under God…I hope our elected leaders in Washington will listen to voices like these as they try to solve the immigration issue.”
The time to act is now. Our economy demands it. The people demand it. We’ve debated the issue long enough. Congress must act.
