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Is Hope Bilingual?
Are 12 million people living in fear and hiding in the shadows a priority for President Obama? In essence, that was the question discussed today by Christians for Comprehensive Immigration Reform. The three year old coalition, primarily evangelical in nature, re-launched the campaign in order to pressure the Obama administration to make C.I.R a priority in 2009. Without a doubt, if immigration reform does not take place in the next 12 months, the consequences, morally and politically cannot be ignored.
First, Embedded within last November's historic election lays a clarion call and a prophetic supplication for national unity accompanied by an alignment of our core values; values that include both security and compassion, the rule of law and welcoming the stranger, mercy and justice.
In addition, the President throughout his campaign and recently in his address to the Hispanic Congressional Caucus gave his word to the immigrant and Hispanic community that Comprehensive Immigration Reform will take place this year. In essence, the President's word is on the line particularly with the Hispanic community, a critical demographic necessary for the 2010 midterm elections and re-election in 2012. The same Hispanic American electorate that punished the Republican Party in 2008 for a perceived xenophobic thread can equally castigate the Democratic Party in the upcoming elections.
Correspondingly, the sense of urgency stems from the political fact that it would be difficult to engage Blue Dog Democrats, Conservative Democrats, in favor of C.I.R in the same year they stand for re-election. This is why almost all political analysts concluded that the window for successful passage of immigration reform legislation lies within the timeline of the next 9 months.
More importantly, the moral and spiritual condition of our nation is at stake. Every day that passes without Comprehensive Immigration Reform adds tarnish to the soul of our Nation. The question arises, can this nation be saved?
Salvation will come when our President remembers the 12: The 12 million people living in the shadows, 12 million hiding in fear, 12 million without rights, 12 million without a nation, 12 million without legal covering, 12 million not knowing if today is the day they will be separated from their children. Twelve million people living in a land without the opportunity of ever experiencing the fullness of life, embracing the hope of liberty or pursuing the promise of happiness. Yet these 12 million carry one common commodity: Hope.
Hope that the President that ignited a movement and ushered in change will bring down the walls of political expediency and incorporate within immigration reform the bridge to assimilation and a pathway to the American Dream. Hope that this President and this Congress who stand committed to saving the auto industries, our banks, homeowners and health care will similarly apply that saving grace and spirit to these 12 million souls . Hope and Faith that this President will make immigration reform a priority in 2009.
At the end of the day, the next few months will either see Hope make a pathway or Fear shut the doors. My prayer is that one year from now we can say Hope silenced despair, faith triumphed over fear and our Nation's soul was saved once more.
By
Samuel Rodriguez
|
June 10, 2009; 4:58 PM ET
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Posted by: amigo1 | June 10, 2009 11:08 PM
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Samuel Rodriguez has got it exactly wrong. Illegal lawbreakers don't deserve any kind of reform. They need to "experience the fullness of life" in their own country. Illegals should live in fear. Most Americans resent their presence because they undercut the American worker. As nice and hard-working as illegals tend to be, they've broken our laws just by their very presence. We need to get them out of America.
Posted by: SportingGoods | June 10, 2009 7:55 PM
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President Obama will have his hands full if he intends to have affordable health insurance coverage and comprehensive immigration reform on the table this year.
Both are very contentious and controversial and will need true American heros in Congress to pass this legislation.
While Rev. Rodriguez insists that President Obama has given his word to the Hispanic Congressional Caucus and made promises during the campaign, those promises mean nothing if he can not bring Democrats together much less asking the Republicans to join his crusade of reforms.
Most Americans are sick and tired of the hate, anger, and mass confusion related to immigration reform. Hate radio is finally losing its voice and Lou Dobbs in sinking the ratings after he tied his career to fighting immigration reform.
One myth that will need to be resolved is the fact that over half of the undocumented immigrants cross over the border legally. The problem is they have over stayed their visas. The other myth that seems to fill the hearts with anger and bigotry is the fact that we all expect 12 million new citizens overnight. Keep in mind that not all 12 million may not want to become citizens. Some may be happy to just be able to cross the border with new immigration reform and without fear of being detained by ICE and the Border Patrol. Two law enforcement agencies that have helped to shred the U. S. Constitution in their zeal to deport immigrants. Something to keep in mind though, the Mexican Constitution allows for dual citizenship. Will that make a difference for immigrants? Only time will answer that question.
The fact is that we have allowed an issue to expose the sleazy under current of our society where hate, racism, bigotry and mean spiritedness is allowed, but never talked about at the dinner table, muchless the PTA meetings in our schools. Because it is now allowed by the moral decline and degradation of our values, the heart now speaks for many and those hearts are filled with plenty of darkness and hate.
I pray that we can still come together as a nation and work together to heal the wounds that have been exposed by the nasty national debate. If not, judgment is awaiting the American bride, and we will have no excuses as to why we did not care for the alien in our land and how many "good people" sought to destroy the undocumented immigrant's dignity and moral character.