Presidential Address on Immigration

Finally something in English discussing immigration! No need for translations.

Obama on Comprehensive Reform 2010

I gotta say I was very pleased with everything the President said.

I love that that he was very realistic about the causes of immigration, people come here to improve their own lives as well as that of their family. Immigrant labor has helped in the success of many businesses as well as the lives of individuals. He recognizes that the immigration system is broken.

He recognizes that much of the reason for so many undocumented immigrants is because of the high cost of processing and attorney fees. Something that I've never heard being stated as a reason for so many undocumented immigrants.

One thing that irks me to the core is that government (including the Chief of Justice) insists on criminalizing undocumented immigrants. He says that in order for people to become "right with the law" undocumented or as he refers to us, "illegal immigrants" will be required to "admit they have broken the law, pay taxes and learn English". Nothing wrong with paying taxes and learning English, you can't really be an integral member of American society without being able to communicate or giving back to the state and nation with your money.

It just KILLS me that government insists on calling me a criminal, a law breaker . . . they just make it seem like we woke up one day and said, "I'm going to break the law now, here I go crossing the U.S. border, breaking the law, yay!" UGH . . . how is fighting for a better life a crime? I suppose I can't rationalize this as I am the one being called the lawbreaker and I REFUSE to be called a lawbreaker. Attorneys will say, no, you didn't break the law, your parents did. And to that I say, Excuse me, but my parents are not criminals, providing a better life is not a crime! It's like I was saying earlier about my mom, why is she being punished for being a good mother? :-/

I am not saying there shouldn't be laws regulating the coming and going of people, but the government is the one who dropped the ball on this. Why should the people be punished for it? And by 'the people' I mean undocumented immigrants. This is something I was discussing with my parents as I was reading the article about Obama's address.

The majority of the people who come to the U.S. by crossing the border by land can't afford to get a passport, some may not even know they need a passport let alone a visa - it may seem ridiculous to us but the majority of people coming to work in the farmlands of the U.S. are people from rural areas of Mexico. Hunger and poverty doesn't hold off until your visa is approved so you can go make better money in the U.S.

That's another thing, Obama said he hopes to make businesses, government and individuals accountable to the immigration system. So there will be ways for businesses (basically anyone employing people) to verify whether the documents their employees are using legitimate documentation. So it's supposed to become more difficult for people to use stolen identities, and eventually discourage people from coming into the U.S. to find jobs and better lives. Newsflash, businesses have been able to verify identities for a while now and many do not do it because they know they can pay these people less.

Think about it though, there are so many restaurants, homes that have undocumented immigrants working in the background, have been paying people far below minimum wage, this accountability is also supposed to prevent worker abuse which is very prevalent today in unchecked businesses etc. Realize that it's supposed to be difficult today for people to cross the border, find a job etc, and yet, people have found a way. It's human nature, we always find a way. So good luck with that Obama.

One of my favorite parts of Obama's speech is when he draws a comparison between the Jewish immigrants and the immigrants of today. I think it really brings the point home because the Jewish population is so influential in the U.S. and many are conservative. What I have to say to conservative Jews? Stop being hypocrites! What if you were made to get in line to get your residency rather than living the wonderful life you have achieved by coming here?

Latin America may not be going through a blatant persecution, but large industries are sucking the people dry. THIS is why I don't think Obama's plan to make it harder for people to find jobs etc, will discourage people from coming the U.S. Life in Latin America (if you are not ridiculously wealthy) is nothing but suffering, so even suffering in the U.S. is a better life by comparison.

All-in-all a great message, gives people a lot to think about.

I'd love to hear what you have to say about his speech :)

MUCH LOVE!!