Attack on Immigrants

Attack on Immigrants

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In the last few months, Congress has escalated its attack on immigrants, introducing a number of bills in the name of cracking down on illegal immigrants and "the war on terrorism." Congress is preparing to overhaul the nation's immigration laws that would impact 11 million undocumented immigrants living in this country. The Senate Judiciary Committee approved and immigration bill, known as the temporary guest worker program, and it apperar to allow undocumented immigrants living in this country, a chance to work here legally, but restrictions seem so strong that it's not clear that any of the 11 million people here currently would be able to benefit and gain citizenship. But if passed, this law would not protect the rights of immigrant workers, provide a path to citizenship or allow a realistic path for future flow of immigrants.
Millions of individuals have protested the legislation, claiming that it could break up families and result in mass deportation. Thousands have taken to the streets across the country in the past month. Their leaders have called for Congress to pass a bill that allows individuals currently not authorized to be present in the country to receive legal status.
Strategically, the protest have exposed the true nature of the immigration debatye, which is far more cultural and racial than our economic arguments have accounted for. A New America Media poll reveals that the vast majority of legal immigrants are alarmed by the racism embedded int he debate. It's showing us that we have to talk about race becasue thatis what the police debate - and the reality of peoples' lives - is really about.