Thursday, July 1, 2010

Obama talks about Immigration Reform




D.C. – President Obama spoke today on the campus of American University focusing on a new “practical, common sense” practice when it comes to illegal immigration.

In his speech, Obama briefly spoke how his administration has taking record-setting actions in strengthening our nation’s borders and urges Congress to approve “the pathway to legal status”. As a nation strengthen by the hard work of immigrants past and present Obama’s ‘pathway’ will give legal status to the estimated 11 million illegal immigrants. The contributions which immigrants have made to this great nation even during times of discrimination, "Immigrants have always helped to build and defend this country," Obama said.

Obama continued to say, it would be difficult to remove nearly 11 million illegal immigrants and actions like this will have catastrophic repercussions on local economy, communities, and families. Appearing on CNN this morning, Rep. Loretta Sanchez, D-Cal., said current immigration law splits up families. She also said a more organized immigration system will help the U.S. economy.

The illegal immigration issue has become more than just a political issue and has incorporated emotional issues which have delayed congressional action. "Into the breach, states like Arizona have started to take matters into their own hands." Such an approach is understandable but "ill-conceived," Obama said, arguing that an immigration system requires a national approach rather than a "patchwork" of state laws.

He continued to say that his administration is currently in the process of drafting a lawsuit against the state of Arizona where law enforcement officials have been given greater power to question an individuals legal status solely on physical characteristics and assumptions but did not comment further.

At times Obama seemed to criticize both sides of the immigration debate. With some immigration groups seeming to encourage illegal immigration, Obama said, though at least 11 million people are in fact breaking the law by not going through the citizenship process.

According to a CNN article Rep. Brian Bilbray, R-Cal., said the government should not reward people "for being here illegally" with "amnesty." He said employers should be forced to hire legal immigrants through a system known as "e-verify." Other issues, he said, should be addressed "after we've secured our borders and our workplace”.

With both sides still in a stand still on this controversial issue one can only hope that the individuals on Capitol Hill will come to a conclusion which will strengthen this great nation of ours.