As the Obama Administration gears up to tackle the massively broken immigration system, it is fast realising that it faces a battle that surpasses healthcare reform in intensity and opposition. The US President is forced to walk a tightrope on the one hand, honour his promise to create a pathway to legal status for the millions of undocumented immigrants on the other, and appease the protectionist sentiments of a growing number of Americans. With his approval rating hovering around 45 per cent, according to recent surveys by Rasmussen and Gallup, the President is hesitant to give carte blanche amnesty to millions of illegal workers. His party believes that such a move will lead to disastrous results in the mid-term and national elections. The reality is that xenophobia and racism are real issues that impact the immigration question. Now Islamophobia has joined the narrative. The American democratic spirit has eroded since September 11, two costly wars, and a persistently shaky economy. This is evident in the organised and vociferous Tea Party, which can no longer be dismissed as a group of disaffected bigots.
The proposed Arizona law that intends to give law enforcement the right to stop and request documents from suspected illegal immigrants cannot be viewed as a parochial statute. Other states such as Florida are mulling similar action. In a city as diverse and liberal as New York, the vitriolic resistance to the construction of a mosque near the World Trade Center by moderate Imam Faisal Rauf speaks volumes. Rowdy town hall meetings have also erupted on Staten Island where there are plans to erect another mosque. A spate of attacks against Mexicans in that very borough has forced law enforcement to boost patrols. One New York Police Department spokesman acknowledged the tense situation and admitted that cameras, patrol cars and officers have been increased to combat the crime wave against?immi- grants.
Clearly, the tide has turned, and the "audacity of hope" that characterised Mr Obama's ascendancy?is being undermined by a growing antipathy that threatens to derail a new immigration status for the 12 million illegals in the country. (Some put the figure as high as 20 million.)
The resounding chorus of "let's take back America" from conservative and ultra-right political groups and the growing dissatisfaction among independents and libertarians with healthcare and financial reforms have paralysed the Democrats' resolve to keep their promise to hopeful immigrants. But the strength of the US is rooted in its immigration policy, not to mention its democratic principles. The argument for immigration is well documented, hence the alarm over the political brouhaha on fixing a broken system, and easing the uncertainty of?millions of illegal workers who make meaningful contributions to the society.?Last week I spoke with Rev Gilford Monrose, a West Indian stalwart in the immigration struggle, and spokesman for Churches United for Saving and Healing (CUSH). He appeared unnerved, even angry, over the volatile political climate, which he referred to as "toxic." "Arizona is to Mexicans what Florida is to Caribbean people, so we have to fight back," he told me. "It's a new kind of racism where not just one group is singled out." He chided the so-called "silent supporters of immigration reform," and beckoned West Indian leaders in the US to play a more proactive role in "this historic clash."
He ended with some provocative words: "The time has come for our big-name entertainers to add immigration to the list of causes they support throughout the year." The reverend is on to something. But there is more to consider. The federal government has fired its first salvo against Arizona–and won. Yes, a federal judge has defanged its proposed anti-immigration law. This does not mean that we should start bringing out the champagne. Arizona has already filed an appeal. However, the President of the US now holds serve. He must act with the same resolve he managed to conjure in his past battles. He is well aware that federal immigration law determines the status of individuals, not state law, and that states have only limited legislative authority over immigration matters. In other words, the President?cannot continue dancing on both sides of the political aisle. Radical change does come with some upheaval and ruffled feathers. The showdown over healthcare reform proves such. As Rev Monrose said, "The Democrats are spineless and cannot go on playing politics with the lives of millions of people." I could not agree with him more.
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Glenville Ashby is a columnist and
correspondent for the Trinidad
and Tobago Guardian. He is a
graduate of UWI, The London
School of Journalism and Euclid Inter-governmental University