May 1 is Labor Day in most of the world, but in the United States for the past two years, May 1 has turned into a symbolic day in defense of immigrant rights. I can hear it now: “What rights? Immigrants shouldn’t have any rights,” the anti-immigrant hard-liners complain. Once again we see the blurring of the line between immigrants and undocumented workers, between enforcing our laws and respecting human rights.

There are people who still refuse to see that the immigration debate in our country is affecting everyone: citizens and legal residents of Hispanic descent who are being discriminated against; U.S.-born children who are being separated from their parents through massive raids; farmers whose crops are rotting because there are no immigrants to work their fields; the American taxpayers, who will have to pay more for services and products; our national security, for having millions of people living in the shadows; and, of course, immigrants who are living in legal limbo.

There were tens of thousands of immigrants and their supporters in more than two dozen cities holding protests, marches, rallies and vigils May 1, calling for comprehensive immigration reform that would open the door to the legalization of undocumented workers and put an end to the massive raids and deportations that lead to the separation of families.

The overwhelmingly peaceful marches were tainted with the violent repression of one of the rallies in Los Angeles by police officers in riot gear. The case is still under investigation, but initial accounts by witnesses state that the incident that provoked the show of force occurred a few blocks away and involved a dozen or so anarchists. The force used against families with children and members of the media covering the rally was excessive and out of proportion, say eyewitnesses.

By any account, the marches and rallies around the country this year had a lower turnout than the million who participated in the national boycott a year ago. The fear of possible raids and concerns about losing their jobs kept many away, and several Latino organizations opted for citizenship and voter-registration drives to support the immigrant cause. Spanish-language radio personalities who drew out the crowds last year decided to launch a letter-writing campaign this year to make sure the message is delivered directly to members of Congress.

A lot has happened since the first wave of marches that makes the presence of immigrants on the streets of our cities even more relevant this time around. Last year the country was more polarized when it came to immigration than it is now. The number of hate crimes against Latinos increased in 2006, and legislators were unable to come up with a new law before the end of the summer session. Dozens of elected officials based their campaign for the 2006 midterm elections on an anti-immigrant platform. Out of 17 candidates in various states who ran anti-immigrant ads, 14 of them lost their race.

Now even the most ardent critics of immigrants agree that there is an urgent need for immigration reform, in whatever shape it comes. Yes, there are some who still support enforcement and security laws only, but a growing number of legislators realize that any reform has to include some kind of guest-worker program and a road to legalization for the 12 million undocumented immigrants in the country.

American voters’ attitudes have developed at a faster pace than politicians’ when it comes to recognizing the importance of comprehensive immigration reform. Research compiled by the National Immigration Forum shows that in poll after poll released since November 2006, a majority of voters support a law that includes earned legalization for those now living in the U.S. illegally, albeit with some tough restrictions.

It looks as if Americans are finally waking up to the reality that immigrants are the motor that keeps this country going. We need a realistic, practical and humane immigration reform. We cannot allow emotional and irrational arguments against immigrants to keep us from moving forward.

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(Maria Elena Salinas is the author of “I AM MY FATHER’S DAUGHTER: LIVING A LIFE WITHOUT SECRETS.” Reach her at www
.mariaesalinas.com)
© 2007 by Maria Elena Salinas
Distributed by King Features Syndicate