America Needs A Humane And Compassionate Immigration Bill
Robert Paul Reyes
May 31, 2006
The Senate approved a new immigration bill by a sizeable bipartisan majority. Their pragmatic and comprehensive approach to immigration is proof that seemingly intractable problems can be solved by men and women of good will.
The Senate's bill reflects President Bush's realistic and humane approach to America's millions of undocumented workers.
President Bush should be commended for tackling such a vexing problem with persistence, compassion and intelligence.
The Senate's initiative allows law-abiding undocumented workers who've been here more than two years to seek legal status. Some conservatives take great exception to this, they are loathe to see hardworking Hispanics be granted any form of legal status.
The House approved its own immigration bill in December, their version takes a draconian and xenophobic approach to the immigration dilemma. The House's version seeks to criminalize the millions of undocumented workers whose only crime is working hard for inadequate wages so they can provide for their families.
The stage is now set for an epic confrontation that will make the shootout at the OK Corral look like a Sunday School picnic.
The eyes of the world are on America, they are curious to see how we treat our undocumented workers. I hope that Congress will come up with a humanitarian immigration bill that speaks of the greatness and compassion of America.
If Congress doesn't send a humane immigration bill for President Bush's signature, how can the people of Iraq and Afghanistan believe that we care about them? If we treat our immigrants with disdain, it will be very difficult for other nations to believe that we have their best interests at heart.
The Senate's bill reflects President Bush's realistic and humane approach to America's millions of undocumented workers.
President Bush should be commended for tackling such a vexing problem with persistence, compassion and intelligence.
The Senate's initiative allows law-abiding undocumented workers who've been here more than two years to seek legal status. Some conservatives take great exception to this, they are loathe to see hardworking Hispanics be granted any form of legal status.
The House approved its own immigration bill in December, their version takes a draconian and xenophobic approach to the immigration dilemma. The House's version seeks to criminalize the millions of undocumented workers whose only crime is working hard for inadequate wages so they can provide for their families.
The stage is now set for an epic confrontation that will make the shootout at the OK Corral look like a Sunday School picnic.
The eyes of the world are on America, they are curious to see how we treat our undocumented workers. I hope that Congress will come up with a humanitarian immigration bill that speaks of the greatness and compassion of America.
If Congress doesn't send a humane immigration bill for President Bush's signature, how can the people of Iraq and Afghanistan believe that we care about them? If we treat our immigrants with disdain, it will be very difficult for other nations to believe that we have their best interests at heart.
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