This week USAToday released a publication that revealed some of the Immigration reform the Obama Administration is working on. In the beginning the Obama Administration commended The Gang Of 8 for progressing forward on immigration reform, but Congress has yet to act further. President Obama reminded the Gang of 8 that if there is no further progress, he will introduce his own immigration reform legislation. I believe this "leak" by a White House Official is a reminder to Congress that President Obama will act if these "Representatives" refuse to play ball across the aisle. This publication from the Obama administration is a bill that is oriented towards common-sense immigration reform, that should be accepted by Democrats and Republicans.
"The plan also would provide for more security funding and require
business owners to check the immigration status of new hires within four
years. In addition, the nation's 11 million illegal immigrants
could apply for a newly created 'Lawful Prospective Immigrant' visa,
under the draft bill being written by the White House." USAToday
As stated previously, this plan is very oriented to trying to be passed in both houses, therefore there are aspects of true immigration reform and "security increases". I believe the most important part of this reform bill is the opportunity for currently "unauthorized" persons to apply for lawful status, only by: "people would need to pass a criminal background check, submit biometric
information and pay fees to qualify for the new visa. If approved, they
would be allowed to legally reside in the U.S. for four years, work and
leave the country for short periods of time. After the four years, they
could then reapply for an extension"(USAToday). This would allow many people who were once legal to stay in the United States, to stay and continue with their life. This released plan doesn't layout any future immigration policy or plan to deal with the backlog of visas. I can see another problem around the bend, if the system that renews and issues new visas is inefficient. My other concern is with the fees, where there will begin to disqualify some, and entitle others. With the median wealth of Hispanics being roughly $7000, these fees will weigh more heavily on the lower income, often times the same people trying to immigrate here.
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| http://money.cnn.com/2012/06/21/news/economy/wealth-gap-race/index.htm |
This wealth gap is very dangerous as we progress in trying to decide where most of the responsibility for funding this reform will come from.
These fees will inhibit some from becoming legal citizens, but also some of the other security measures included in this plan will do the same thing. Not only does the Obama Administration want to reform the Border Patrol to accept donations from any source, but also wants to study how border crossing fees will cover the costs of the agency. My concern with the donations is the probability of an unjust Sheriff like Joe Arpaio or Governor like Jan Brewer taking advantage of their accumulated wealth to maintain a neoconservative view of border security. Why do I pick Sheriff Joe and Brewer? Both own stock in the private prison industry that is currently profiting greatly from increased border security. These are the same folks that want to increase apprehensions at the border, keep "unauthorized" persons around and create schemes to persuade the public that border is not secure. I would argue that both of these individuals should be removed from office due solely to their very obvious conflict of interests.
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| foxnews.com |
Just when I think I am done talking about Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL), he returns to the limelight to disregard what the Obama Administration is working towards, to spew the same Republican jargon.
"It fails to follow through on previously broken promises to secure our
borders, (and) creates a special pathway that puts those who broke our
immigration laws at an advantage over those who chose to do things the
right way and come here legal" - Marco Rubio
I don't know what more he wants from the Obama Administration, as I have said before, apprehensions at the border are down, deportations are at a high, President Obama wants a ID card for these new Prospective Immigrants, more studies after reform to see how border patrol can be improved, an E-Verify program to help limit the number of "unauthorized" persons working in the country and of course... more Status Checks. I don't believe these attempts to criticize the Obama Administration is useful or beneficial for our government or progress for true immigration reform. I consider these to be political stunts that will be referenced in 2016 during the Presidential Election. The motive behind these actions must be to completely halt any progress the Obama Administration can make to meet the expectations of voters. Marco Rubio and the GOP are attempting to push the Administration to be a Lame Duck, however will these actions be detrimental during the 2014 midterm elections?
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