| Written by Maria Elena Salinas |
| Monday, May 22 2006 |
| |
| President George W. Bush can now add one more title to his name: juggler. He performed his first juggling act during his speech on immigration from the Oval Office on Monday, May 15. Whether or not his performance was stellar depends on whom you ask.There is no quick-fix solution to the immigration problem; if there were, it would not be a problem. So, what Bush tried to do during his speech was tackle the issue from all sides. He seemed to put border security at the top of his list to please the more conservative base of his own party -- those who would like to see a wall built along the entire border and have all undocumented immigrants sent back to their countries.However, his proposal to use 6,000 members of the National Guard to help stop the flow of immigrants into the country did not seem to be good enough for conservatives when combined with the more moderate elements of his proposal.For example, for the first time, the president seemed to openly endorse the idea of creating a path to legalization -- a move that not only makes sense but could earn him some Brownie points with Latino voters. Even though he no longer needs their votes, his party certainly will six months from now.Nevertheless, stating that deporting every undocumented immigrant is neither “wise nor realistic,” Bush proposed allowing those who pay taxes, learn English and work hard to apply for American citizenship -- after paying a steep fine for breaking the law. To do so, they would have to stand at the back of the citizenship line and wait for up to 11 years.But no matter how it’s worded or how many restrictions are put on applicants -- for conservatives -- allowing undocumented immigrants to become citizens amounts to the “A” word: amnesty, an unacceptable concept for those who consider anyone who crosses the border illegally a criminal.In the middle of it all, Bush was still pushing for his signature immigration proposal: A temporary-worker program that would bring together willing foreign workers with willing American employers. He has been pretty consistent with this proposal, officially presenting it in January of 2004 at a Summit of the Americas in Monterrey, Mexico.A guest-worker program, the president insists, would serve a double purpose: Not only would it create a legal path for foreign workers to enter the country, but it would also meet the needs of our economy for a low-skill, low-wage labor force. Conservatives aren’t too crazy about that one either. They say it would hurt the middle class by allowing immigrants to take jobs away from American workers.Proposing higher fines and penalties for employers who hire undocumented workers just serves as a reminder of the ineffectiveness of our government in enforcing already-existing laws that for decades have prohibited the hiring of those who don’t have legal immigration status.What the president attempted to do was not easy. It’s virtually impossible to weigh in on such a divisive issue and please both sides. How do you convince conservatives that earned legalization is not amnesty, and liberals that bringing troops to the border does not mean you are militarizing it? It takes a lot more than juggling; it takes magic, and judging by the responses to his speech, his proposed solution to the immigration problem is far from magical.Perhaps the most novel element in Bush’s speech on immigration is also the most prudent. That is the importance of conducting the debate in a “reasoned and respectful tone.” Recognizing the emotions involved in the immigration debate, Bush reminded Americans that real lives are affected by the debate and the decisions made at the highest levels of government. “Every human being has dignity and value, no matter what their citizenship papers say.” Thank you for reminding us all, Mr. President. Let’s hope our legislators and political pundits were listening. |
