I have to hand it to the Chron for pushing a practical argument for the DREAM Act.
Proposed by Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, and Sen. Richard Durbin, D-Ill., the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act would create a path to citizenship for children whose parents brought them to the United States when they were 15 or younger — provided that those kids have stayed out of trouble, graduated from high school, and will either enroll in college or enlist in the military.
These kids didn’t choose to break a law when they entered the U.S.; they were doing what their parents told them. And now they’ve grown up here, with Algebra I, Lady Gaga and Domino’s Pizza. In their parents’ home countries, they’d feel like foreigners.
DC has been pushing the stand alone DREAM Act for a long time and each time, the argument has been that it was needed as a “positive” talking point with which to sell a more comprehensive bill. This argument, mostly from Democrats, has disgusted me because it comes from the very depths of backroom Congressional meetings in which bills are passed before they are publicly voted upon (and after any “artificial sweeteners” are added).
2010, though, is different. From a political standpoint, I am not in favor of giving the Republicans a “freebie” bill to support as it could be used to gain support from Latinos for their less than pro-Latino candidates. As an avid voter, I believe an elected official of any political party should earn my vote, and simply giving the Republicans a pass, because it would be such an easy bill to support, sickens me. And I cannot be convinced that it would not happen, given the love affair Latinos have had with Reagan (before and after amnesty) and Bush.
Still, my biggest fear is that any progress or movement toward a comprehensive bill would simply stall–the ObamaRaids would continue, the separation of families would worsen, and none of this would help our economy.
Although I am supportive of anything that brings people out of the shadows, I take a more political approach to this debate nowadays. Why? Because the Republicans have proved how they feel about Latinos–in their legislation, in their laws, and in their intents toward Latinos in the future (Riddle in Texas). More than ever, Latinos (especially in Texas) must be in-step in their voting and support of candidates who commit to the betterment of Texas, and being accountable to ourselves and our votes by calling out those who choose to play politics. A piecemeal approach leaves too many opportunities for the Republicans to further gut a comprehensive bill, while using one piece of the puzzle feign love for the Latino community. Of course, the Republicans have been quite dumb in figuring out this strategy.
Obviously, Republicans are not the only ones to blame, as a Democratic majority in Congress has failed in this entire process. The Democratic leadership at the DNC has also failed. I only wish they would listen to what’s going on in LatinoLand as they plot the path to November victories.
With immigration reform back on the Washington, D.C. agenda, Latino voters will be watching to see which politicians step up and which don’t, said Sharry of America’s Voice.
An indication that Latinos are responding is Harry Reid’s lead on his GOP opponents after he took a supportive stance to CIR.
Some think the DREAM Act alone could solidify Latino support for the Dems. I believe a fight to the finish on CIR would be more effective–whether CIR happens in 2010 or 2011. Of course, if the DREAM Act is brought to committee and to the floor, of course I will fight for it’s passage.
And I don’t apologize for taking a political view to this because, ultimately, there is only one political party that has the nearest thing to a progressive slant in America–The Democrats.
–To Be Continued.
That whole DC thing confused me, so I take that part back.
I think everyone, migrant youth included, agree that the DREAM Act is a no go with enforcement attached to it.
I’m really sorry to hear, though, that that stumbling block has led you to be against the DREAM Act as a standalone bill.
The enforcement argument is a bad one because we’re already getting more enforcement as is, with 1000 deported a day, now. This is especially true considering the CIR outline in the Senate is even more enforcement heavy than any DREAM Act would be.
It’s also sad that you’re hiding behind Reid and the Democrat establishment to make your case. Migrant youth are fight a lot of battles, the last thing we need is for you to be another battle we have to fight.
I’ll debate this out in the open any time. I do hope that you’re willing to have conversations with me and migrant youth, though, in the future, before you make important decisions like this.
Kyle-
Who says I’m against anything? I just have my concerns, much like as a supporter of the DADT repeal I have concerns that McCain was able to add his border militarization package to the defense bill. If I come out against the whole thing, does that make me anti-Gay? I mean, c’mon. There’s no reason to think of me or anyone in the CIR push as a separate battle. We’re going for the same end, aren’t we?
I also have some deep concerns about the games being played in the pro-migrant nonprofit lobbying group side with the politicians, and the lack of control of a message. The Politico article says much about the lack of control in this whole thing.
But I don’t apologize for taking political approaches to this as I strongly believe that the only way to make change happen is by being a force at the ballot box AND in direct action on the streets. Within the movement, there are a lot of anti-electoral politics folks, but the bottom line is that’s where it’s at. Do we trust one party over another? Frankly, I trust neither, which has cost me more than you’ll ever know.
I don’t take my positions lightly, and I hope you understand that. But that doesn’t mean I’m against you.
If you’re taking these stands in your own mind without even consulting migrant youth about it, that’s a problem, because your making a decision about their lives. Might not make you against us, but it certainly doesn’t make you respectful of us.
It’s fine to take political approaches, but your approach doesn’t make any sense. You’re afraid of enforcement with the DREAM Act so your suggestion is to wait until next year when there are more Republicans Congress and there’s even more likelyhood of enforcement.
Not only are you being disrespectful of migrant youth, you’re not making any sense.
“Your contention that the idea for a DREAM act as a standalone bill comes from D.C. is an outright lie.”
You need to read it again. The deal-making that will occur could threaten any future CIR bill as Republicans would added punitive and damaging enforcement measures to the DREAM Act for anyone else not brought into status.
And in this case, “DC” is DOS CENTAVOS. C’mon man. Geez. I have supported it in the past, but I have reservations now because of what could occur with CIR in the future.
And if you think we “gain” a million citizens, the amendments to a DREAM Act standalone by Republicans will lose us another million. That’s the reality we face.
I believe in open dialogue, not in private meetings. We shouldn’t have anything to hide as we debate this issue. My facts are straight, you’re making assumptions based on initials.
That’s all I need to say. If it somehow makes it to the floor, I’ll make my phone calls and blog posts, but the leader of the U.S. Senate has basically said it is not going to happen, citing the same reservations that I have.
I’m extremely disappointed in you for making this argument, Stace. Not only is your characterization of the DREAM Act misleading, you’re central point, that we shouldn’t pass the DREAM Act because it will hurt Democrats, disgusts me. What do you care more about, liberating close to a million undocumented youth, or getting more votes for Democrats?
Regarding where your post is misleading, you’re saying that passing the DREAM Act as a standalone bill is an idea that comes from D.C.? Have you not been paying attention? D.C. has been fighting the DREAM Act as a standalone bill ever since the idea for comprehensive immigration reform came up. As we speak migrant youth are protesting in various forms outside Schumer’s and Gutierrez’s offices. Reform Immigration For America hasn’t supported the DREAM Act as a standalone bill yet, but it is being dragged to that position kicking and screaming by undocumented youth. Your contention that the idea for a DREAM act as a standalone bill comes from D.C. is an outright lie.
Furthermore, you pride yourself in being politically realistic. How in the world do you see CIR passing in 2010 or even in 2011, when by all counts Republicans will take back some seats in the Senate. You’re worried about Republicans taking credit for the DREAM Act this year, don’t you think that will be the case next year?
Lastly, what makes me the most angry is when people in positions of privilege think they can make political arguments to keep people in the shadows when undocumented people need a win now, and have needed one since long ago. In the time we’ve been waiting to pass CIR, we’ve lost over a million undocumented immigrants to attrition through enforcement. It’s time to legalize a million, now, rather than lose another million.
It saddens me Stace, that you’ve come out publicly with this position. I’ve always respected your blogging. I hope you’ll at least discuss this with me and other undocumented youth privately so that we can at least get your facts straight before you say anything else publicly damaging on this subject.