Immigration Promises On Hold – Again

While the media on the right accuses President Obama of playing politics by waiting until after the November elections to exercise executive power on immigration, the media on the left tries to distract our focus with security matters. The thing is, the truth of any matter generally lies somewhere between those ranting at the edges. Whatever the reason, the hopes long held by many foreign nationals in this country have been left unattended on the back burner so long they are scorching.

But immigrants are not the only ones who feel ignored and abandoned. The historic inaction of the current Congress is shameful. The recovery that has occurred is largely in spite of our elected leaders. According to a recent article in the Huffington Post, the Small Business Majority is taking a stand by releasing its Economic Agenda for America’s Future. What caught our eye is high on their list: “President Obama can take executive action to allow more legal immigrants, providing more skilled workers at all levels for small businesses.” [See When it Comes to Our Economy, Washington Can Do Something Before the Mid-Term Elections, by John Arnesmeyer, Huffington Post, 18.Sep.2014.]

As our readers know all too well, there is a lot more to immigration than the topics portrayed in the evening news. It’s not just about the southern border and illegal entry. It’s about the small business owners who have added most of the jobs over the past year that have helped the economy limp toward recovery, but they can’t find enough qualified STEM workers to satisfy their need. It’s about the work permits for spouses in H-4 status that we expected weeks ago, but still we wait. It’s about the long waiting time for green cards in an overburdened system, and crowded Immigration Courts further impacted by budget cuts.

You must be a U.S. citizen in order to vote in the upcoming elections. If you are a citizen, exercise your right. It is power, a great privilege, and it is the best way to send your message to Washington.

Whether or not you are a U.S. citizen, however, you can be informed and vocal. Contact the congressional representatives in your district and tell them how you feel about immigration reform. Immigrants built this country, and you want to be a part of that proud history. If the system isn’t working, it is a failure of the system, and it needs to be changed. If they don’t seem interested, look into the opposing candidates and learn where they stand on the issues important to you. Share what you learn with your friends and family members who can vote.

Worried about the economy? Then send the message to Washington: “Stop sitting on your hands. There will always be an upcoming election you are worried about, but America needs you to fix immigration NOW!”

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