On immigration.
Immigration will surely be one of the next hot button issues for President Obama and American public as supporters for both sides of the debate rev up their constituencies for a big fight in Washington.
In recent years, more notably the Bush years, America has beefed up its scrutiny of immigrants in airports and along the border with Mexico.
You have to remember that we also share the longest border in the world with Canada up there.
So, how will the United States tackle the issue of immigration and what precedents are at work in the world today that may serve as reference points for new policies? We know that in life not all things are created equal and this saying is fitting for the immigration policy here in the United States as well.
Cuba - Cuban citizens are practically naturalized the minute they touch a grain of sand here in the United States.
Cubans enjoy a unique immigration status that is not found among any other group of people to this nation.
Haiti - The people of this island of seemingly never ending tragedy whether it be natural or manmade can seek residency in the United States through educational or work related schemes yet, even in the face of remarkable difficulties naturalization is a severe challenge for most Haitians coming to the United States.
Mexico - Americans seem to have a love-hate relationship with Mexico.
Skipping all the clichés, Mexico is best known as a conduit of drugs and too many illegal aliens.
Yet, the flip side of the coin is that Mexicans, whether they be illegal or not, are of great value to our economy: they work menial jobs that are the backbone of our economy, share a rich culture, and share values that any nation can appreciate such as strong families.
In recent years the drug wars raging on the other side of the border should force Americans to take note of the plight of our neighbors and hopefully create a more humane and swift means of handling asylum requests, naturalization of immigrants already here and better organized and clear system of handling border crossings.
In highlighting these three groups of people something quickly becomes apparent: the lack of coherency in American immigration policies.
Yes, not all things are created equal.
Yet, it is becoming increasingly important for Americans to address our ossified policies that are out of date, ineffectual and bureaucratic.
No doubt there are many approaches to the debate on immigration and most arguments are offset by a counter argument that is equally logical.
Yet, we must also remember that the issue is not one dimensional.
For instance, should you argue the point that immigration hurts American labor you would overlook the fact that our nation's greatest innovations in the sciences etc.
are due to immigrants.
America for years has enjoyed what is called the brain drain, attracting the brightest students from all over the world who enrich our nation.
Let no facet of the debate be the sole determinant in how you perceive the issue of immigration.
Think broadly and laterally on this issue.
We must remember that issues whether we are for or against them impact the lives of illegal people toiling in a grape field, escaping drug wars in Mexico, joining family in San Francisco, studying at a university and so much more.
If we are to achieve a lasting resolution on this debate it must be one that provides the greatest benefit and good for not only this generation but generations long into the future
Immigration will surely be one of the next hot button issues for President Obama and American public as supporters for both sides of the debate rev up their constituencies for a big fight in Washington.
In recent years, more notably the Bush years, America has beefed up its scrutiny of immigrants in airports and along the border with Mexico.
You have to remember that we also share the longest border in the world with Canada up there.
So, how will the United States tackle the issue of immigration and what precedents are at work in the world today that may serve as reference points for new policies? We know that in life not all things are created equal and this saying is fitting for the immigration policy here in the United States as well.
Cuba - Cuban citizens are practically naturalized the minute they touch a grain of sand here in the United States.
Cubans enjoy a unique immigration status that is not found among any other group of people to this nation.
Haiti - The people of this island of seemingly never ending tragedy whether it be natural or manmade can seek residency in the United States through educational or work related schemes yet, even in the face of remarkable difficulties naturalization is a severe challenge for most Haitians coming to the United States.
Mexico - Americans seem to have a love-hate relationship with Mexico.
Skipping all the clichés, Mexico is best known as a conduit of drugs and too many illegal aliens.
Yet, the flip side of the coin is that Mexicans, whether they be illegal or not, are of great value to our economy: they work menial jobs that are the backbone of our economy, share a rich culture, and share values that any nation can appreciate such as strong families.
In recent years the drug wars raging on the other side of the border should force Americans to take note of the plight of our neighbors and hopefully create a more humane and swift means of handling asylum requests, naturalization of immigrants already here and better organized and clear system of handling border crossings.
In highlighting these three groups of people something quickly becomes apparent: the lack of coherency in American immigration policies.
Yes, not all things are created equal.
Yet, it is becoming increasingly important for Americans to address our ossified policies that are out of date, ineffectual and bureaucratic.
No doubt there are many approaches to the debate on immigration and most arguments are offset by a counter argument that is equally logical.
Yet, we must also remember that the issue is not one dimensional.
For instance, should you argue the point that immigration hurts American labor you would overlook the fact that our nation's greatest innovations in the sciences etc.
are due to immigrants.
America for years has enjoyed what is called the brain drain, attracting the brightest students from all over the world who enrich our nation.
Let no facet of the debate be the sole determinant in how you perceive the issue of immigration.
Think broadly and laterally on this issue.
We must remember that issues whether we are for or against them impact the lives of illegal people toiling in a grape field, escaping drug wars in Mexico, joining family in San Francisco, studying at a university and so much more.
If we are to achieve a lasting resolution on this debate it must be one that provides the greatest benefit and good for not only this generation but generations long into the future