An article by Jared Allen of The Hill entitled, “Proponents alter immigration legislation in the face of tough economic climate,” provides an interesting, and I think relevant take on immigration reform given our current economic situation here in the U.S. Noting that the current unemployment rate is at 10.2% and expected rise further throughout the next year, the author takes the stance that current legislators and immigration reform supporters may be swayed to either slow down or alter plans on reform plans in the near future.
Representative Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.), who was quoted in the article put it this way, “Each bill is reflective of a time. And with unemployment over 10 percent I think we need to have language that is very carefully tailored.”
And I think he’s got a point.
Although it’s my thought that our nation is in desperate need of meaningful legislation in this area, I also think that before we move hastily into creating and passing a bill, taking time to ensure that this in fact the best time to have the legislation come out is imperative to its success. If legislation is going to have to be watered down based on the current political and economic climates, then maybe we should just wait. I’d rather have a bill passed that will actually ensure real change in the current immigration system, rather just just passing something to say “we did it.”
Representative Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) emphasized that if legislation were seriously debated or in fact passed, people would say, “Well why are we focusing on this?”
Before the process of creating and passing legislation is taken to the next level, I think it’s imperative that those in favor of reform and those with the power to make reform happen take the time to decide whether this really is the best time.
Again, let’s make immigration reform happen, but unlike previous attempts, make it count this time.
- Austin Ellington
